Access to Back of Dashboard?

[Samurai9]

I would like to get my fuel gauge, temp gauge, and warning lights working. I don't see any way to get access to this area. I cannot even see up there. How would someone get access to the rear of the dashboard to examine wires and connections? Because virtually nothing on the right side of the dashboard is working, I am guessing that there is some general problem affecting these lights and gauges.

Thanks,

Sam

[jimhoodag]

Sam,

In my 1994 model HiJet, there are three screws that attach the instrument panel to the dashboard. Remove these screws from the front of the instrument panel and it comes out with wires attached.

I don't know how to take out the entire dashboard, but have noticed some bolts that attach it to the sides of the truck in front of the door.

Jim

[Samurai9]

Thanks, Jim. I hadn't noticed those screws.

Sam

[Samurai9]

I don't find any screws in the dashboard of my 1993 Hijet except around the glove compartment. The instrument panel seems to have a one-piece plastic trim piece holding the glass in place. No screws but it might pry out and then give access.

Sam

[jimhoodag]

Sam,

I forgot about the big clip-on cover panel which goes around the instrument panel and around the radio/ac area. You can pry it off and access the screws to remove the instrument panel. You might start prying it off around the radio area to avoid scratching the dash by trying to start taking it off there. When you pry the panel off, you will have to unplug the wire from the back of the 4x4 engagement button, in order to move the cover out of your way. The cover panel snaps back on.

Jim

[Samurai9]

Thanks, Jim. I will take another look at my truck tomorrow. The Hijet is temporarily at my house instead of being out in the country where it belongs. I was talking about the fairly small rectangular trim piece that goes around the instruments and holds the glass in. I think you are referring to a bigger part of the dashboard.

I am seeking a solution to an electrical problem which existed when I got my truck. Not working are the fuel gauge, the temperature gauge, and the battery, brake, and oil warning lights. (The right turn light on the panel is not working but the lights on the truck itself are working, so I think this is a just burned out bulb in the instrument panel.) All of the things not working are based on sensors coming from various parts of the truck and are located in the instrument panel. I therefore believe there is only one cause, perhaps a fuse that is off the fuse panel or a disconnected wire, something like that. Chad Hite was kind enough to send me a wiring diagram of the prior model of the Hijet but it is inadequate for my purpose. For example, it shows only four fuses, while my truck (model S83P) has six fuses. Obviously my wiring system is different. I am handicapped by knowing virtually nothing about cars or about auto electrical systems. I will either have to find someone who has this knowledge or trace the wires and find the defect on my own. All of the fuses on the fuse panel are good and are connected to working components down stream. I do not know enough to say whether the cause of my problem is upstream of the fuse panel or downstream towards the gauges and warning lights. If downstream, the problem may be in the instrument panel itself. Hence my interest in opening it up.

Jim, did you ever get a wiring diagram for the S83P? I have yet to see one or find anyone who has it.

Sam