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Wish i had read this before i started.. I started 2 hrs ago and im taking a break.. still on the tear down.... trying to figure a few things out... someone wanna fly to my house and help me? hahaha... Ill make hot cocoa!
 
Re: Instrument Panel Lamps

LariRudi said:
ChrisM said:
......................... It definitely doesn't look like fun.

In the meantime, I might as well make a list of other things to do while I'm in there - fixing the speedometer cable (shaky speedo needle), replacing the light bulbs in the instrument cluster (so I can see how fast I'm going at night), and try to figure out why the heater fan is so dang loud.
Stay in touch on this work. I'm interested both in the heater core replacement AND the dash panel lamps; I have only ONE lamp that works, on the far right; Can't see speedo nor odometer; it's a guessing game at night.

Good luck,

LarryR : )
As for the Instrument Cluster removal & replacement. I found out that it's really easy to do. All you need is a 12mm socket wrench and a T-20 Torx screwdriver (or 8mm socket, I believe). Check out this thread, and look at the photos I posted. It can be completed in less than 20 minutes.

Unscrew all of the screws in the dash panel first. If you unbolt the steering wheel first, it'll be sitting in your lap the whole time, and makes the job slightly more difficult...especially if you're 6'2" and 300lb.

I tested each of the bulbs using a digital multimeter putting it on the audible feedback setting and touching the probes to the leads of the bulbs. (I hope my terminology is right)

http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=33192

There were a couple of bulbs that seem like they are not replaceable, since they are soldered into the socket. One of these was blown. I was able to replace it by removing (and breaking off the bulbs' wire leads), and then carefully positioning the broken-off wire leads so that they would touch those on the new bulb. A toothpick or some other pointy object comes in handy.
 
took the drivers seat out to give me more room but now i cant get the speedo cable unhooked from behind the cluster.... and i almost got stuck... took me 5 mins to free myself.

edit: got it out
 
Missy said:
took the drivers seat out to give me more room but now i cant get the speedo cable unhooked from behind the cluster.... and i almost got stuck... took me 5 mins to free myself.
Did you disconnect the speedo cable from the tranny? Check out the write-up found in the link in my post above for details and photos.

Getting the speedo cable off is a lot easier than putting it back on...and putting it on is really easy, too. Just make sure you've disconnected it from the transmission. You can then push the cable through the firewall to give yourself some slack to work with.
 


Got the new heater core in.... putting the hvac control thingee back in a piece that holds a cable down broke... looks like im going to pull a part tomorrow... everything is back together though... btw.. I did this on my own... and im female... and im EXTREMELY proud of myself.
 
Proud

Missy said:


Got the new heater core in.... putting the hvac control thingee back in a piece that holds a cable down broke... looks like im going to pull a part tomorrow... everything is back together though... btw.. I did this on my own... and im female... and im EXTREMELY proud of myself.
Hmmmmm, I'm proud of you too. And I'll bet that there are a bunch of "us" out here that are proud, too.

Good luck with all of your endeavors.

LarryR : )
 
yeah, heater cores are no fun. Luckily, I have only had to do a couple in my lifetime. The MX6 heater core is a LOT more of a PITA than the Escort. The Escort design is so much better, which makes it easier to remove.
 
i found it easier to remove the 4 bolts under radio
and 2 on each in the side of the dash,door open & 1 or 2 under where the fuze box is and same spot on p side.

i wanted the dash since mine was red before but also needed the heater core. i broke the 1st one i tryed to pull. that just worked alot easier for me and i got everything back in better too. nothing shaking or any extra screws.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the advice. I will try that next time. :)
 
has anyone try to cut the firewall to replace the heater core? iam thinking about try it. I know from the service manual there is a plastic cover that holds the heater core so it cant come out the firewall but i plan on making a cover that bolts in so i dont really see a need for that plastic cover.

Any thoughts? anyone?
 
just a fyi

in a mercury tracer 1994 1.9L i started to cut out the firewall however due to brake lines being in the way iam not sure if i can make the cutout big enough to get the heater core out :( so iam going to take it out the normal way :( BUT once i have the heater box out iam going to see if i can make the cutout for the firewall i will beable to see what has to be cut better from the inside of the car.

Also a dremel tool with a flex shaft will fit in by the firewall I was using the better cutoff wheels but becarefully cause brake lines,etc are in that area! the dremal cuts it with No problem!!!

here is the cutoff wheels i was using if anyone was wondering:

make sure the cutoff wheel is for metal!!!

here is the link

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DREMEL ... 35546380-2
 
also to add more

like i said above i couldnt cut it out due to the brake lines being close!

so i replaced it the normal way and took the dash etc out. once i got the heater box out i saw wires that are running next to the heater that are mounted to the firewall so it a good thing i didnt cut any more!!! cause you cant not see the wires when u are in the engine area!!!

i did finsih cutting it out from the inside of the car when the heater box was removed!!! BUT there is a metal cover that holds the heater core onto the heater box!! so with the hold cut out as big as i can iam not sure if iam able to remove that cover from inside the engine i guess time will tell if i have to do it again!!! lol
 
Oh my god. Has it really been 5 years. LOL. I can't believe that. Thanks :D. Yeah, when I did it I wish I had pics to use, so I thought heck, why don't I put up some pics, so I redid the whole installation again just to take pics. wish my camera had been better. I am hoping to get another escort soon, and do either a Zetec 2.0 or a V6 swap. If I do that, I will try to get as many pics as a can. That is going to be quiet a job switching over to ODBII. I am not even sure where to begin LOL. I know I am going to need a whole donor car as I will need the entire drive train, wiring harnesses, and computers. But if I get a second Escort, then I will be able to take my time and redo all the wiring at my own pace. Again, thanks for saying thanks :D.
 
That one photo of the dash, post hurricane, is worth a million dollars. I sent it around to a couple of friends saying, "this is what I'm up for."
Everyone responded with sympathies as if there'd been a death in the family.
I try to tell them it's not all that hard, just a lot of steps.

Also I have this dream that I'll have the hottest date in my life, but not quite get dash back in, and I'll have to ask her to be patient while we drive around with the dash on our laps - kind of like in that photo.
Anyway, I'm sure the thread has been a big help to everyone so thanks again.
 
has anyone ever done this on a GEN 1 escort? I have an '88. the heater box is one solid piece, I think you have to remove the whole damn thing to get the heater core out... there's no room to work to get the heater hoses off in the engine compartment. i'm considering pulling the engine just so I can get to them... I'm 3 weeks into this project and getting nowhere. help pls:cry:
 
has anyone try to cut the firewall to replace the heater core? iam thinking about try it. I know from the service manual there is a plastic cover that holds the heater core so it cant come out the firewall but i plan on making a cover that bolts in so i dont really see a need for that plastic cover.

Any thoughts? anyone?
Yes I have cut out the fire wall to get heater core out ... In fact I did it twice on junk cars...... It's just not worth it...... I can pull the dash in 30 minutes...... To cut the fire wall out it will weaken the car structure of engine compartment.... I did it with tin snips and drum saw blade... The wiring harness on driver side must be moved a little and unclipped are you will cut it.. Bad idea . The rubber floor/fiber instalation most be cut..The core must be cocked, pushed and pulled over and out kinda sideways... It's tight but it will just pass... Then you need to fix the hole with a plate to over lap what you cut out.... The fuel filter bracket is about how for the over lap needs to be..You could get a junk yard fire wall and cut to size.... Its a lot of work....
 
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