DIFFICULTY: Seempuls!
Okay, so I decided to make my first guide on how to fit the instrument clusters to the low spec Punto Mk2’s, that have the Tachometer and Temperature gauges in. Sorry for the pictures, I had already actually fitted mine a few months ago but I have now decided to make a guide and only just taken them with my new one already in.
ANYWAY, first things first; you need to buy the Dials. Now, what you’re looking for is something like this:
![clocks.jpg clocks.jpg](https://cdn.fiatforum.com/data/attachments/77/77908-1584d89b36416b04c6816d34683bd2b5.jpg)
You can buy these from a scrap yard, breakers or the obvious, eBay. When you search eBay, use keywords like “Instrument Cluster”, “Clocks”, “Dials”, “Dash”. These should cost around 30-50 quid, and is the first thing I actually did to my Punto. Well worth it!
Okay, so you’ve got your Cluster and you’re ready to fit.
“But what tools do i need?” I hear you ask. Well, not many!
Personally I haven’t had this done. I haven’t come across any problems other than having to swap it back to the old cluster at MOT time.
Okay, so I decided to make my first guide on how to fit the instrument clusters to the low spec Punto Mk2’s, that have the Tachometer and Temperature gauges in. Sorry for the pictures, I had already actually fitted mine a few months ago but I have now decided to make a guide and only just taken them with my new one already in.
ANYWAY, first things first; you need to buy the Dials. Now, what you’re looking for is something like this:
![clocks.jpg clocks.jpg](https://cdn.fiatforum.com/data/attachments/77/77908-1584d89b36416b04c6816d34683bd2b5.jpg)
You can buy these from a scrap yard, breakers or the obvious, eBay. When you search eBay, use keywords like “Instrument Cluster”, “Clocks”, “Dials”, “Dash”. These should cost around 30-50 quid, and is the first thing I actually did to my Punto. Well worth it!
Okay, so you’ve got your Cluster and you’re ready to fit.
“But what tools do i need?” I hear you ask. Well, not many!
- Ratchet
- 10mm socket for ratchet
- Hex key (Allen key) sizes 2mm AND 4mm
- 15-20 minutes of spare time
- The first and most important step is to open the bonnet and disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. For this you’ll need your ratchet and the 10mm socket. You don’t need to unscrew it completely; you just need to loosen the terminal, list it off and MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT TOUCH ANY METAL WORK.
- Next, hop into the driver’s seat and move the steering wheel all the way down using the adjustment leaver.
- Using the 2mm Hex key, remove the 4 screws from the dash surround. The screws are located here:
- Once these are removed, the surround just pulls away. You will now see 3 more screws that fix the cluster into the dashboard. For this you will need the 4mm hex key. If you cannot see them, they are located here:
- Once you have done this, you will need to pull the top of the cluster towards you, so you can see the back of the cluster. Here you should see a wire and plug with a coloured clip (on mine its red). Remove the plug by forcefully pushing the clip away and down from the plug. It then simply comes off.
- It might be a bit of a struggle to get the old dash out and the new dash into the hole, but just keep wiggling until you succeed.
- Once you have your new dash into the hole, you need to remember to keep it tilted forward so you can plug it in. This part is a tiny bit fiddly, but just push the plug slightly into the socket and then try and keep it in place whilst you flick the clip back on.
- Now you’ve plugged it in, just fit the cluster nice and snug back into the dash hole and screw both it and the dash surround back on. If the dash surround doesn’t seem to be going back on correctly, just check that the bottom of it is clipped correctly to the dash by just pushing it up slightly.
- Finally, re-connect the negative battery terminal. Be careful upon replacing it as it will spark slightly, this is normal. Tighten it up relatively well and remember to set the clock back to the correct time.
- You’re done! Go for a quick drive to test it, but try not to crash as you watch the tachometer
Personally I haven’t had this done. I haven’t come across any problems other than having to swap it back to the old cluster at MOT time.
So, enjoy your new dials and feel free to comment with any questions or changes you think would be a good idea.