Remove dash completely not just the 'wooden' panel?

[paul.deitch]

got stuck now! The 'wooden' dash panel on this lhd s3 is clamped to the main dash somehow and i need to get it out to replace the broken heater cable. Unsure which/where to detach/destroy to remove the lot. Could someone post a photo or good instructions please.
Also found that the driver door cable loom was abraided where it goes across to the body and that the insulation on 5 of the cables was showing a large amount of bare wires. Some thing to check the next time you have the doors off! Thanks in advance for any help.

[bonefish]

Hi, I've not too long ago re-fitted all my dash back, including fitting that heater control panel, and cables, so this would be my version of how to change it ! I'd allow yourself a day to do this BTW. The 'wooden' inset is actually bolted to the main dash comb via half a dozen or so studs but I wouldn't unbolt this from the dash However I would unbolt the whole dash as you'll need the access to get your hand between the dash and the heater plenum to get to the heater control panel. It will probably be secured with a PK through the base of the windscreen pillars into the dash(near the aquare air vent outlets), and via 4 phillips headed bolts(3 or 4 mm thread I think) which go up through the top of the dash into the front bulkhead. With your head in the drivers footwell looking up! one can be seen to the left(outerside) of the steering column (for a RHD car). In the passenger footwell you'll need to remove the glovebox first and then when looking up you should see the bolt up behind near the square air vent. They should have large washers on them to help identification. The other two(if fitted) will be either side of the heater plenum chamber. I got onto all these bolts with a long phillips screwdriver. The dash is a tight fit on my car which needed a slap or two to move it. The dash should be undone/ loose then, so you can move it forward a bit to get you hand up behind it. The heater control unit is secured to the dash with 2 'U' shaped brackets which u'll need to slacken off, it's then possible to wiggle the control panel out through the front of the dash so you can get at where the control cables are secured.

You may need to undo the centre console too as I didn't have mine fitted when I put my dash back. This was the easiest way I found to fit the heater control panel when fitting the dash back, a bit time consuming,though someone else may have perfected another quicker method.

Edited by bonefish on Tuesday 6th February 10:58

[MWBS3]

Hi

I have my dash out currently and noted very few bolts (referred to in the previous reply) were fitted I would think that these were removed when the immobiliser was installed as they are not easy to get at. If you have an immobiliser fitted you too may be in luck.
The left and right hand bolts were in place - where the dash attaches to inner wings - with these removed the dash pretty much came out. I found it easier with the centre consol pulled back.

Assuming the heater is the same the cable controls are on the right and with the dash pulled open to the right you should get enough access to change cables etc.

Hope this helps.

Mark