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Subject: Removing the dashboard from an '86 735i Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12932 posts Posted on: 2004-08-26 23:26:04

For those of you considering removal of your dashboard to service the heater core or vacuum actuators, or if you're just the type who can't resist rubbernecking at accident scenes, here's something sure to please.

Actually, removing the dashboard isn't as dramatic or difficult as I had initially imagined. I've seen pages on the internet where people devise creative ways to replace the heater core without removing the dash, but after having done it I think removing the dash is probably better. It certainly gives you more room to work and, if your heater core is bad, its very likely that other components should be replaced, too, which are impossible to remove, otherwise.

So, here's the turbo tour of how to remove your dashboard.


First, remove the steering wheel, instrument cluster, check control panel, light switches, the HVAC control panel and sun visors. Remove the radio and the two 10mm bolts that hold the plastic frame to the console below. Remove the knee-panels below the steering wheel and on the passenger side. Remove the glovebox.



Detach the roof pillar trim on the left and right sides, followed by the A-pillar trim pieces.


The dash is held in place by a total of 6 bolts (numbers 1-6 in the diagram above) and two clips (numbers 7 and 8 in the diagram above).


Remove the six bolts from the underside of the dash.


Lift up on the rear of the dash, next to the windshield, to release the two clips, then slide the dash up and out of the passenger side of the car.


Depending on your model, you may have to disconnect a wire in the center grill on the top of the dash.


The dashboard removed from the car. Take care not to damage it -- they cost $800 new!


A view of the interior with the dashboard removed. Now you can easily access the heater box and the heater core within it, as well as the myriad of vacuum hoses and actuators for the HVAC system.

David Cecil
Lexington, KY
Titanium silver '01 750iL, 92k miles
Oxford green '97 740iL, 184k miles
Alpine white '92 750iL, 95k miles (for sale)
Charcoal gray '86 735i, 101k miles (for sale)

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E38 mods: Factory nav retrofit, widescreen display, XM satellite receiver in place of CD changer, custom Valentine1 stealth interface to instrument cluster, BimmerNav bluetooth, factory xenon headlights retrofit, heated seats x4 retrofit, StrongStrut tower brace, crystal clear taillights and corners, M aluminum pedals, stainless steel brake lines, billet aluminum throttle bushings, staggered 18'' M-parallel wheels with Kumho Ecsta LX rubber, quad brake lights conversion

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The 7 Series E23 Forum | Message Thread:

• Removing the dashboard from an '86 735i (pic) - DavidC 2004-08-26 23:26:04 (11975 views)
  • Sorry, but this is precisely why I sold my L7 (more) - MarkD in NJ 2004-08-27 12:07:24 (1312 views)
    • Its a lot of work, to be sure, but now I should have a good system - DavidC 2004-08-27 12:11:07 (1120 views)
      • If my car was in the shape yours is AND a 5-speed, I would've done it. (e) (nt) - MarkD in NJ 2004-08-27 14:13:37 (982 views)
  • This is the point that I am at too. - luquette 2004-08-27 10:32:58 (994 views)
  • Looks like an explosion at a spaghetti factory - all those wires!! - philipuk 2004-08-27 03:18:14 (1374 views)
    • Electrical problems !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - strongheart561 2011-10-09 01:01:40 (160 views)
    • That's a pretty accurate description! - DavidC 2004-08-27 12:09:34 (1025 views)
  • Where were you 4 years ago when I did this? - kff 2004-08-26 23:35:01 (893 views)
    • Funny you should mention that. I don't have a gong in my car. - DavidC 2004-08-26 23:38:11 (952 views)
      • Re: Funny you should mention that. I don't have a gong in my car. - dave88te 2004-08-27 09:56:41 (900 views)
        • Nor when I leave the door open or the seatbelt unfastened. (nt) - DavidC 2004-08-27 12:06:21 (880 views)
      • It is the thing that you needed to disconnect from the dash - kff 2004-08-26 23:51:42 (1257 views)
        • Ah, so that's what that is. I reconnected it when the dash was reinstalled, but - DavidC 2004-08-26 23:59:24 (918 views)
          • i rigged it so it would gong only from temp and max speed - Kevin Elmore 2004-08-27 18:37:55 (839 views)
            • how did you get it to - dave88te 2004-08-31 21:00:55 (844 views)
              • Unplug the 2-wire connector on the gong as it is> - kff 2004-08-31 22:37:36 (898 views)
                • sweeeet. (nt) - dave88te 2004-09-01 11:03:21 (757 views)
          • Check the other ends of the wires and see if it connected. (nt) - kff 2004-08-27 00:09:49 (894 views)

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