Apologies for all the photos but as they say a picture paints a thousand words. I'm just a keen DIY'er so if there's any glaring errors feel free to point them out!

I bought a Columbus with a broken screen in the hope that I could fit a new one. I couldnt find many details about dismantling them before it arrived but took a gamble on it. Thought it might be worth taking a few pics seeing as I couldn't find any. It is a 3T0 version with the LED screen so the non LED ones may be slightly different.

Pretty much all I used were 2 torx bits, T10 and T8 worked for me, and a small flat screwdriver. Fortunately there was no soldering involved.

1. Remove 2 torx screws from each side of the Columbus and 2 smaller ones from the top. There were non on the bottom.

2. The bottom of the panel can be gently pulled forward from the body. Not too far till it is disconnected.

3. There are 3 connections to the main board. 1 wire ribbon connection which can be gently removed. Dont pull on the ribbon as the wires can pop out of the connectors on this type of plug. Try and prise the actual plug out. The other 2 are flat ribbons. These have little locks which you just click forward on either side then remove the ribbons. Be carefull of the SD card reader when taking the panel off.

This is the view of the inside after the panel is off.

4. The metal cover has to be removed. This has to be done with care as you could crack the black plastic of the front panel. There are 2 clips on the top and 3 on the bottom. I used a small flat head scredriver and gently pushed it down beside the clip rather than right into the top of it to push the black panel away from the clip. As you are doing this try with a spare finger to pull up gently on one of the metal lugs. This has to be done all round then it should come off. The panel has a lip round it, it is not just flat so you do need to push a little on it.

5. You should now see the circuit board. It is attached with more torx screws and unfortunately more clips. The screen is attached by 3 ribbons so again unlock them and remove them. Take all the screws out then I just used a finger to press the clips to the side while VERY gently lifting the edge of the board. One of the knobs sections is just joined by an S shape of circuit board so be aware of that bit. The board can then be lifted off.

6. The screen now just comes out of the panel. New one went in then it's just the reverse to build it back up. The screen ribbons have to be popped through the circuit board holes before clipping it back in place. The ribbons all just slide in then put their locks back in place. Again be aware of the SD card reader and it's ribbon when putting it back on the main body.

I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff and if I remember anything I'll add it on.

Edited 7 May, 201115 yr by colsand

Great walk through and IMO it deserves to be 'pinned' at the top of this sub forum (PM one of the Admin and send them a link to this thread asking them).

What screen did you fit as a replacement? was is a like for like or a generic replacement? (part No.s etc)

Hopefully I will never need the guide but I'm sure there are many members who's car is out of warranty that it would be really useful to

Great walk through and IMO it deserves to be 'pinned' at the top of this sub forum (PM one of the Admin and send them a link to this thread asking them).

What screen did you fit as a replacement? was is a like for like or a generic replacement? (part No.s etc)

Hopefully I will never need the guide but I'm sure there are many members who's car is out of warranty that it would be really useful to

Thanks! I maybe should have called it replacing columbus screen or something though for searching. I couldn't seem to edit the title.

The display is a genuine like for like one. I got it on eBay from Poland. They only had the led screens listed though. There was a very slight difference in the ends of the ribbons on the new screen but it was okay. The part number is L5F30818, I could find no information on google if I added the P01 on the end. The one that I got was L5F30818 then T25 I think it was. That probably explains the slight difference in the ribbon ends, not sure if it's just a newer one or something. It worked fine though.