November 8, 1999


The MII lights CAN be changed while laying on your back and reaching up
behind the instrument cluster, but it would be easier if you were a
double-jointed midget (no offense to double-jointed midgets).  Since we have
such a history of disentegrating instrument clusters with the MII, I would
suggest you pull the whole thing out through the front.  Easier to replace
burned-out bulbs, and necessary to check/repair damage.  I do not recommend
taking it to a dealer.  If it is disentegrating, they will not attempt to
repair it, and they can't (usually) get a new replacement.

Removing the MII dash cluster has an easy part and two hard parts.  Six
screws hold the instrument panel to the dash.  Easy to remove with a
standard Phillips head screw-driver.  The headlight switch is a PITA though.
Pull the light switch out till the lights come all of the way on.  Reach
under the dash where the light switch is and feel around till you locate it
(square metal box).  On one side (left, right?) is a small metal button.
Press it in and pull the switch knob the rest of the way out.  This may take
a little practice.  When you have the shaft out, press it in gently till the
lights turn back off.  Now you can unscrew the trim piece on the front of
the panel and remove the panel.

With the instrument panel removed, you can see the instrument cluster.  It
must be removed to get at the lights on the backside.  Several screws secure
the cluster to the dash.  With them removed, you reach the second PITA.  The
speedometer cable must be released from the back of the cluster in order to
get it all of the way out.  Pull the cluster as far forward as possible and
reach behind the cluster.  Where the speedo cable meets the back of the
cluster is a pair of wings (?) on the cable.  Pinch them together to release
the cable.  It usually takes a strong pair of hands or a pair of pliers.
The only thing left at this point is the electrical plug.  Use a screwdriver
to release the clips locking it to the cluster and pull it.

The lights will not work if the plastic under the mylar circuitry on the
back of the instrument cluster is crumbling.  The circuitry can be carefully
removed, and the plastic built back up with model cement.  After it dries,
replace ALL of the bulbs, and reassemble.


Bernie McLean