What are the disassembly and installation steps for the instrument panel of the 2008 Teana?
4 Answers
Adjust the steering wheel to its lowest position, then unscrew the two screws on the combination switch cover and remove the upper cover (this is to create space for removing the wood-grain decorative cover below the instrument panel). Use a plastic pry bar to slowly pry open the five clips on the decorative cover from left to right from the bottom. Remove the screws securing the instrument frame on both the left and right sides below the instrument panel. Insert a flat pry tool gently along the seam between the top edge of the instrument frame and the dashboard, then pry downward every 5-6 cm from left to right (two clips on the left and four on the right) to release the clips. Then pull the instrument frame toward the driver to remove it. Unscrew the three securing screws of the instrument panel, remove the panel, and disconnect the wiring harness. The installation sequence is the reverse of the disassembly steps.
Speaking of removing the dashboard on the 2008 Teana, I've done it several times myself. The first step is to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid short circuits and burning the wiring—a small wrench will do the trick. Then, remove the two plastic trim panels below the steering wheel using a plastic pry tool, prying gently since the clips are fragile—don’t yank them. Next, unscrew the four T20 screws securing the instrument panel, located on the inner side of the dashboard frame. When unplugging the instrument cluster harness, press the clip and wiggle it out gently—don’t pull on the wires. Finally, the entire instrument cluster assembly can be pulled out. Reassembly follows the reverse steps, but don’t overtighten the screws to avoid stripping them. The whole process takes about 20 minutes, and it’s a good opportunity to clean out dust while you’re at it. However, beginners should make sure they have all the right tools before attempting this to avoid breaking clips and needing replacements.
Last time I disassembled the Teana dashboard myself and found it wasn't as difficult as imagined. First, disconnect the car battery to protect the circuit - this is very important. Use a credit card to pry open the trim along the gaps, though plastic pry tools work even better. The screws are hidden inside the instrument cluster cover and can be removed with a T20 screwdriver. When disconnecting wire harnesses, locate the correct clip position - press it down before pulling, and remember not to tug the wires to avoid desoldering. Be gentle throughout the process as scratches on the plastic dashboard shell look terrible. If the needles don't return to zero after reassembly, it's likely the wire harness wasn't plugged in securely - just reconnect it properly. Wearing anti-static gloves is recommended to prevent LCD screen damage from static electricity. The whole process can be completed within half an hour. Taking photos before disassembly to remember the original setup is quite practical.
Disassembling the 2008 Teana dashboard requires steady steps. First, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, then remove the lower steering wheel trim panel by prying open the clips. Unscrew the four screws on the instrument panel frame, and unplug the connector when removing the instrument cluster. Note that the connector clips should be pinched before pulling out. Reassemble in reverse order, ensuring screws are not overtightened. Avoid using excessive force throughout the process, as clips are prone to breakage.
