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1969 Plymouth Satellite, remove cluster for gauge repair?

General23cmp

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I’m considering the simple RTE Replacement to fix the 5v problem for my fuel and temp gauges. Looking at the service manual, the cluster removal is quite involved. I expected simpler. Has anyone swapped their 5v limiter for the RTE Replacement in my style car (same type cluster). I know the instructions for the RTE Replacement say cluster removal is optional, but maybe not in my specific model. Any advice? I hate to take the whole thing apart.
 
You can replace the voltage limiter without taking the cluster out. Lay under the dash and look to the left of the steering column. It’s kinda hard to reach, but once you get your hand on it , it just pulls out
 
If you decide to pull the cluster, it's not that difficult to do, either.
 
You can replace the voltage limiter without taking the cluster out. Lay under the dash and look to the left of the steering column. It’s kinda hard to reach, but once you get your hand on it , it just pulls out

When you say to look left, do you mean towards the passenger side of the cluster? Thanks.
 
No, I meant left side of the car, or driver’s side
 
Thanks. I didn’t know which you meant as I’ll be twisted backwards looking in. Glad you told me as I would have assumed the limiter is on the fuel and temp gauge side.
 
If you decide to pull the cluster, it's not that difficult to do, either.

Do you have to lower the column? The service manual I have seems to imply it when it says to take the bolts out at the firewall, then it says to remove the nuts at the steering column collar; however, it does not say to remove the forward bolt which is what is left to get the column to drop. Also, dumb question, will the column “drop” if still tied to steering box? The instructions do not go into detaching the column from the box to do a instrument cluster pull.
 
You can replace the voltage limiter without taking the cluster out. Lay under the dash and look to the left of the steering column. It’s kinda hard to reach, but once you get your hand on it , it just pulls out

Will my 69 have the condenser thing also plugged in to the limiter there? I could see that being the tough part to get back connected when the new limiter goes back in.
 
Do you have to lower the column? The service manual I have seems to imply it when it says to take the bolts out at the firewall, then it says to remove the nuts at the steering column collar; however, it does not say to remove the forward bolt which is what is left to get the column to drop. Also, dumb question, will the column “drop” if still tied to steering box? The instructions do not go into detaching the column from the box to do a instrument cluster pull.
Yes, it helps a lot to drop the steering column some. Just don't get carried away with that.
I did both a)remove the steering wheel and b)loosened the two collar nuts on the column under the front of the dash.
That allows some droop in the column without having to take apart anything else.
Yes, the column will droop considerably without undoing anything at the firewall or in the engine bay.
 
Will my 69 have the condenser thing also plugged in to the limiter there? I could see that being the tough part to get back connected when the new limiter goes back in.
Yep, plugs into the same center prong hole as the voltage limiter.

When I went about servicing my instrument cluster, I just removed the whole she-bang from the car. It would take someone a whole lot more flexible than me to get up under there and attempt what you're doing with it in place.
I know the manual says to do all sorts of things, but really the main obstacle to getting the cluster out once the steering column is down some is the lower dash padding - but you can get the cluster past it without taking the padding out.
Just takes some finagling.
 
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