Good evening. My dashboard insert (instrument panel) has got a lot of dust inside, although there are only 50000km on the car! So I decided to remove it to get it cleaned. Question: since I'm not replacing with a new one, do I have to read the information stored in the unit prior to removing it? Will it reset if I disconnect the cable?

 

Thank you in advance!

I would have thought any information not stored on the instrument binnacle would be stored on the ECU so putting the same back should cause no problems.
The same as the infotainment systems now, they do a handshake on powering up.

Many thanks Urrell!

Have you found out how to remove the instrument panel from the dashboard yet? I want to remove my car's to cure the usual creaks & rattles but i cant see how it's fixed in.

Good evening. I did it following this guide: http://workshop-manuals.com/skoda/yeti/vehicle_electrics/electrical_system/instruments_gci/dash_panel_insert/removing_and_installing_the_dash_panel_insert/

 

The only thing not pictured there is how to remove the small plastic cover between the steering wheel and the dashboard. Just use a plastic card/tool in order not to damage the plastics and it will come off easily. I actually did it by pulling it towards me with my hands.

Brilliant. I guessed there must be some screws somewhere, but couldn't work out where they are. I'm aiming not to unplug anything, merely pull the panel forwards so I can sparingly apply some silicone grease to the top edge of the panel to stop it creaking. Or use a small thin rubber channel as a barrier between the two different plastics.

 

Many thanks.

John H

If it's the instrument cluster, particularly around the outer edges of the speedo and tacho, why not simply spray silicon 'dry  lube' into the narrow cracks and, like others, perhaps avoid the whole catastrophe of removal?.

It fixed mine.......permanently  

32 minutes ago, Ryeman said:

If it's the instrument cluster, particularly around the outer edges of the speedo and tacho, why not simply spray silicon 'dry  lube' into the narrow cracks and, like others, perhaps avoid the whole catastrophe of removal?.

It fixed mine.......permanently  

I was wary of doing that in case it got onto the front face of the instrument surround and made it glossy, or even worse, got onto the lenses in-front of the gauges.

Or am I worrying unnecessarily ?

If so, is there a recommended brand of dry lube that doesn't cost the earth?

Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is "Dry Lube"?

Is it just a thin silicone spray?  There seems to be a phenomenal difference in price between brands of Silicone spray. Some call themselves "Dry Lube" and some don't (including CRC's product above).

5 minutes ago, speedsport said:

Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is "Dry Lube"?

Is it just a thin silicone spray?  There seems to be a phenomenal difference in price between brands of Silicone spray. Some call themselves "Dry Lube" and some don't (including CRC's product above).

 

When I worked for Kent Industries we sold one and it was a Teflon spray. Certainly not silicone, as we sold it suitable for use in Bodyshops, and was safe on plastics.

Beware any dry spray that contains graphite, that isn't suitable for use on plastics.

Edited 17 April, 20179 yr by Llanigraham

The one pictured won't cause any problems...it leaves no sign

Specialist products tend to be a bit exy........the old adage; beware of substitutes, in this instance particularly.

21 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

 

When I worked for Kent Industries we sold one and it was a Teflon spray. Certainly not silicone, as we sold it suitable for use in Bodyshops, and was safe on plastics.

Beware any dry spray that contains graphite, that isn't suitable for use on plastics.

Graham, there seem to be quite a few sprays including bike chain oils that contain Teflon, but many are just that, an oil that contains Teflon. I would think that they may not be suitable for use on plastics, whereas silicone is.

I have a very old can of Ambersil silicone spray that was originally intended as a releasing agent when casting into rubber moulds, but it's very "thin" and the nozzle won't take a plastic straw to aid accurate application. I don't want to get the stuff on the face of the instrument panel (or me!).

When I look up silicone sprays, there seems to be a whole rage of the stuff for different applications and with different viscosity.

 

Is "dry lube" a generic description for any silicone spray, or is it something specific?

 

 

Edited 17 April, 20179 yr by speedsport

John,

It seems now that the description "dry lube" now means any lubricant that does not use oil as a liquid method of "transport". Ours was a Teflon base in liquid that evaporated after spraying, so leaving a film of Teflon only. Because of my involvement with that company I am now very wary of some of the descriptions of some "dry" retail products. 

One of the problems with silicone is that it "migrates" so even if you do spray it in a very small area it gradually "creeps" across a bigger area. There certainly are "dry" Teflon based sprays on the market and I'm sure I have seen one in Halfrauds. You need to read the labels, I'm afraid.

5 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

John,

It seems now that the description "dry lube" now means any lubricant that does not use oil as a liquid method of "transport". Ours was a Teflon base in liquid that evaporated after spraying, so leaving a film of Teflon only. Because of my involvement with that company I am now very wary of some of the descriptions of some "dry" retail products. 

One of the problems with silicone is that it "migrates" so even if you do spray it in a very small area it gradually "creeps" across a bigger area. There certainly are "dry" Teflon based sprays on the market and I'm sure I have seen one in Halfrauds. You need to read the labels, I'm afraid.

Thanks Graham... you've confirmed my suspicions - I'll check descriptions carefully to find an appropriate product.  

Cheers, John

9 minutes ago, speedsport said:

Thanks Graham... you've confirmed my suspicions - I'll check descriptions carefully to find an appropriate product.  

Cheers, John

The CRC product has been used successfully by others also.....the straw helps getting at the difficult spots.

Don't get it on any control surface though eg steering wheel or brake pedal.

11 hours ago, speedsport said:

Thanks Graham... you've confirmed my suspicions - I'll check descriptions carefully to find an appropriate product.  

Cheers, John

 

This looks "right", but I'd need to see the spec sheet in detail

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K2-PTFE-TEFLON-DRY-LUBRICANT-SPRAY-400ML-GREASE-SUCHY-SMAR-CAR-WD-40-/291903085605?hash=item43f6c79c25:g:bA4AAOSwOyJX-Ax0