HowTo: Gauge cluster removal :-)
 

Deinstalling the gauge cluster is pretty easy, but you got to be a little careful with this since damaging your cluster could mean a 300-500US$ replacement repair ! So take your time.

Step 1
Your Equipment:
1 small towel
1 large screwdriver (recessed head screwl)
1 small screwdriver (recessed head screwl, wrench or not, does not matter)
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step1.JPG

Step 2
Adjust the steering wheel to the lowest position. You will need this space for proper work and taking the cluster out of the dashboard.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step2.JPG

Step 3
First of all unscrew these 2... Use the short screwdriver since you don't have a lot of space.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step3.JPG

Step 4
Press down the left plastic panel side with your thumbs and pull it towards you. Do the same with the right plastic panel side. It won't need a lot of force actually.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...all/step4a.JPG

Step 4b
The plastic panel will pop out of its fittings. Take it out completely.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step4.JPG

Step 5
Unscrew this at the top.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step9.JPG

Step 6
Unscrew those.
(BTW: at the bottom you can see how the panel fits in these holes)
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...tall/step5.JPG

Step 7
Now put the towel on the steering linkage cover and pull the cluster out until you can reach the plugs at the back. Lay the clear cover glass on the towel so it doesn't get scratched.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...all/step10.JPG

Step 8
Unscrew this big baby. As you can see the metal has a plastic fitting at the back so you don't have to remember which side is up or down :-)
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...all/step14.JPG

Step 9
Removing the plugs can be a bit nasty. Due to high outdoor temperatures the plastic plugs could be expanded and sit in their fittings very tightly.
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...all/step12.JPG

So press the small tabs with your screwdriver and at the same time grab the whole wiring bunch to pull the plug out! This maybe your only chance to get the plugs out without hurting yourself or the wiring ! Do this slowly.

After that you can pull the whole cluster out and take it indoor to open it !!!

How to open it....
--------------------

Step A
Depending on what you want to to with the cluster you take out the small clips out of the fragile plastic fittings.
If you only want to work on the surface (installing a bezel or tacho rings) you only have to take off the CLEAR clips (top,bottom,sides)...therefor you don't need any force...just push the clips gently through their fittings... then take the clear plastic cover off and lay it on a towel so it won't be scratched...
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...stall/use4.JPG

Step B
Of course you can try to disassemble the whole cluster (e.g. for installing custom gauge faces or painting it or whatever...

BUT REMEMBER THIS:
With the newer Protegé models there is no known way to remove the needles off the dials without BREAKING them (which is a 300-500US$ replacement repair!) Keep that in mind when you try installing a gauge dial or painting the needles.. the needles break / malfunction VERY easily !
http://mazda.taillandier.de/main/mai...stall/use3.JPG

[Re]Assembly
Actually there's nothing big to say about reassembling the whole cluster and reinstalling it in your car...just follow the steps backwards and you're done. No additional problems.

Have fun! Hope you like this little HowTo!!!
(C)opyright 2003 // mirrored from www.protege323.tk

When removing the gauges
 

Just to let all you guys no that you are safe to remove all the cabling in the back of the gauges as all the data is stored in a chip at the base of the fuse box. :D trust me i have checked the fuse box and after removing the fuses there are 4 screws. take them out and there is the chip :D so unplug away

yep no need to worry about that...

oh one thing remains:
if you install a bezel (like i did / from speedhut.com) ... do yourself a big favor and do not use the 3m double sided tape delivered with the bezel...
with high outside temps the tape might fail to hold to bezel and you will have to reinstall it...
use a STRONG double sided tape (like i bought from tesa corp... hold 1kg/1cm^2 ..)

since my site is off at the moment use my pdf :)

rename the .DOC as .PDF and use it....