Getting at instrument wiring???

Posted by JimGnitecki On 2008/7/4 15:27:39

I figure I must be doing some thing wrong, but even after reading the "Instruments" section in the 1951-1954 Packard manual, I cannot see how a normal human being can physically get at the wiring behind the instrument panel of my '52 Packard 200 Deluxe.

The TOP two screws that hold the instrument panel in place are of course obvious. I cannot for the life of me find the BOTTOM two, which are supposedly accessed from under or behind the dashboard, while trying to keep your head off the clutch and brake pedals, and trying to figure out how to actually get at least one and preferably two hands up into the artea under and behind the dash. And of course, while having the fluorescent (so it does not fry the 56 year old wiring)trouble light in theri as well so you can actually pretend to SEE something.

I would really like to be able to reach the clock fuse, since my clock was not working when I bought my Packard a month ago, and I'd feel stupid buying a new one if all that is needed is a new fuse.

I would also like to gain access to the old wire, whose color is indeterminate due to age, on which I can see 1/4 inch of BARE conductor, so I can at least tape it with electrical tape until I replace the fossilizing wire harness.

I am not tiny, but am also not huge, so I figure I must simply be missing something obvious about getting back there.

WHERE are those 2 alleged bottom screws or studs??

Are there more fun surprises awaiting me once I get THEM off?

Should I be disconnecting the battery positive temrinal like the manual says, or does that needlessly complicate the diagnostics when there is only ONE person available? (and it's such a pain getting in and out from under that dash area)


Jim G