Removing Dashboard Panel

[Retired At LAst]

I want to remove the dashboard panel so as to access the relay for the power windscreen.

 

I removed the visable screws but it won't budge. Are there any hidden screws underneath the side mirrors?????????

 

Am I missing something???

 

Thanks

 

Allen

[David Sharpe]

I believe there is a screw under each side mirror that needs to be removed. Also don't forget to remove the knob that adjusts the headlight.

[Selden]

Similar experience for me, although I didn't think about the odometer reset. I would like to replace the "wheat" bulbs in the instruments, but so far, I haven't been able to figure out how to pull the outer fairing to get to them.

[Allen Rowand]

Selden,

There are four bolts (screws?) holding the instrument cluster to the frame, as well as wiring and the speedo cable. I managed to wiggle mine forward enough to get to the back- there are two nuts per instrument holding them into the cluster. I backed the nuts off to the end of the studs and then gently tapped them to start the instruments sliding forward, until I could grab the bezel and pull. Don't forget to remove the tripmeter reset assembly before starting to move the speedo…

 

It's annoying enough that I replaced all four at one time (only one was burned out). In retrospect, I wish I had taken the time to try and source LEDs. Sorry if this is vague, but the memory's not what it used to be.

[upflying]

Does the op have an 1100 or an 1150? The RT dash panels are different IIRC?

[Retired At LAst]

How do you remove the tripmeter button.?? I do not see a small screw anywhere. Do I just pry it off???

[Retired At LAst]

It'a 1 1999 1100RTP

[upflying]

There are about a dozen bolts around the perimter of the black dash bezel that need to come off. There could be some behind the mirrors too. The intruments, warning lights, odometer reset button do not come off. The RID is attached to the rear of the bezel, unplug or unscrew it after you remove the dash. Removing the nose cone improves access greatly to the electronics and wiring.

Once all the bolts are gone, it should snap off. It's kind of fragile and flimsy so there are limits to prying.

[Selden]

Now I'm getting confused (some days, it doesn't take much), so I'll start over. For a 1999 R1100RT, what's the best procedure to replace the wheat bulbs on the tach? "It's kind of fragile and flimsy" isn't too confidence-inspiring.

[Boffin]

Remove the top dash cover, (visible screws plus two under each mirror). remove the four screws holding the speedo + Tach, ease the unit forward, remove the nuts from the rear of the tach and pull it forwards. Pull out bulbs, replace with LEDs so you never have to do this again...

 

Andy

[Selden]

Thank you, Andy. As with so many things of this sort, it's not really going to make sense until I try it. If I'm understanding your instructions correctly, only the side mirrors need to come off, not the rest of the body work? Looking at the service manual, BMW describes the top dash cover as the "inner fairing panel", and the exploded parts diagram suggests that only the mirrors need to be removed. I'm assuming that with the windshield in high position, I'll have plenty of working room, although removing the windshield isn't that much trouble. Rain predicted for the next two days, so maybe I'll give it a try.

[ESokoloff]

.....In retrospect, I wish I had taken the time to try and source LEDs......

Pull out bulbs, replace with LEDs so you never have to do this again...

 

Andy

Soooooo anyone have a suggestion as to what LED to use for this?

 

Brighter/more light output would be better for my aging eyes

 

[roughwaterjohn]

I pulled the dash panel on my R1100RT-P fairly easily, although I didn't pull it completely away from the bike. I left the wires connected, as I just needed a little room for my hands back there.

 

I removed all the obvious screws, raised the windscreen and used an allen wrench on the top two, then popped the mirrors off and removed two screws from each side under each mirror. (Thanks to this forum for the info on the screws under the mirror, I would have never looked there if not for the advice given. ) The dash panel lifted right off, and would have come away completely if I had disconnected some of the switches / wiring.

 

[Selden]

Soooooo anyone have a suggestion as to what LED to use for this?

 

Brighter/more light output would be better for my aging eyes

I just went to Radio Shack, no dice; they had 5mm white LEDs, but with leads, rather than a wedge socket, and they were rated for 3.5-4V. Looking at the bulbs I have in hand, I see microscopic writing on the bulb that says Toshiba, 12V 7W. However, I've been unable to find an actual bulb reference number to see if there is any cross-ref with a 12V LED of the same form factor. Maybe someone else will have better luck.