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Replacing "Reflector Combination Lens" on dash board display

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by PriusVancouver, Nov 6, 2007.

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  1. PriusVancouver

    PriusVancouver Junior Member

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    Car is 2005 Prius.

    I was trying to pop out and clean behind the translucent brownish plastic/Mylar lens that goes in front of the instrument display (the one that shows speed, fuel level, etc) on the dash board. This display is formally known as the "Combination Meter Assembly" of which the lens is one sub-part.

    This cannot be done without breaking the panel (which I did). How to resolve if you want to replace a broken or scratched panel (or just want to clean it)? Read below and hopefully it will save others much time as I couldn't find any other posts on this.

    Apparently this is a very unusual part. It took Toyota a few weeks, much debate, and calls to HQ to figure out what the part is that you need. Part of the problem is it is not shown as a separate item in the parts database. The correct part is called "reflectorcombination" p/n 83857-47100 for around $110. It is not the "Instrument Panel Finish Cluster" as described in the repair manual document "IP - Instrument Panel" page IP-4. It is also not the "Telltale" [lens] which is the rightmost panel, not the larger, leftmost one.

    Replacement requires complete removal of the dashboard, including the curtain airbag trim pillars, glove box etc. Takes about 30 minutes if I had to do it again, but at the time it took about an hour. See picture attached once everything was taken apart. My fiance's confidence in me was still good at this point, so it must be true love. As long as you follow all the instructions in repair manual "IP - Instrument Panel" you will be ok.

    As for cleaning the driver facing side - I would blow dust off with a can of compressed air and if there's anything else on it use something very very soft. Most display dirt is actually on the reflective mirror down below where you view the information. Look straight down through the windshield to identify the mirror. I believe this can be cleaned without as much risk of scratching.

    If anyone needs the PDF for dash disassembly, reassembly, email me and I will send it to you.

    Adrian.

    PS: If your dash is apart, it is also the perfect time to do the 12V "always on" modification and run other wires such as a 12V supply to an external navigation system.
    [attachmentid=12359]
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 PriusVancouver, Nov 6, 2007
    2 people like this.
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if she still loves you after taking the car apart like that, it was meant to be. :lol:
     
    #2 galaxee, Nov 6, 2007
  3. pingman

    pingman New Member

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    GEEEEZ :blink: $110 bucks and all that work for a dusty lens
     
    #3 pingman, Nov 6, 2007
    Many Prii guy likes this.
  4. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I would take it apart like that, then say I forgot where all the pieces go. If she still talks to you after that, you could get away with anything. :lol:
     
    #4 dogfriend, Nov 6, 2007
  5. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Compare http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/trai...800/dashrip.jpg
    from when I had mine apart. It looks a lot worse than it really is;
    once you get the smooth plastic off everything else is all mounted
    at crazy angles. If you've done a nice sequence of pix on all this,
    it would be nice to post it somewhere -- possibly marking up a few
    of the pictures with where the major components are, too [gateway
    ECU, smart ECU, power steering control, etc] -- I'll be happy to
    help with that, since it's been a while since I was inside mine and
    didn't do the usual excruciating levels of documentation at the time.
    .
    I could easily understand the necessity to replace dash bezels,
    since they undoubtedly mount from the back.
    .
    _H*
     
    #5 hobbit, Nov 7, 2007
  6. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    I think I'd just live with the dust.
     
    #6 subarutoo, Nov 7, 2007
  7. PriusVancouver

    PriusVancouver Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Nov 7 2007, 01:06 AM) [snapback]535991[/snapback]</div>
    Unfortunately I didn't take pictures along the way, sorry. If I ever have to take it apart again, I will though. Good suggestion.
     
    #7 PriusVancouver, Nov 15, 2007
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    To avoid all that, I use a swiffer duster to clean mine. ;) It doesn't scratch soft plastic.
     
    #8 David Beale, Nov 16, 2007
  9. Kidd

    Kidd New Member

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    Boy, have you got balls!
     
    #9 Kidd, Nov 22, 2007
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 17 2007, 02:07 AM) [snapback]540586[/snapback]</div>
    X2
    Aren't they a great thing on that massive dashboard?
     
    #10 patsparks, Nov 22, 2007
  11. shimma

    shimma New Member

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    I can "almost" relate to your obsessive compulsivity, Adrian, but even I have my limits. Did you solve your problem without creating new ones? :eek:
     
    #11 shimma, Nov 22, 2007
  12. PriusVancouver

    PriusVancouver Junior Member

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    No new problems.
    Before everyone calls the psychiatrists, please note that I didn't do this just to remove some dust! :blink:

    There was dust and grime behind the panel which interfered with viewing the display and when I tried to pop it out to clean, it broke (because you can't remove it from the front, I later realized), so I had to do this or look at a broken panel forever more.

    Thanks for the fun replies though! My fiance gets a chuckle out of them too. Over the years she has learned from me that manufacturers of cars and electronics always include extra and unnecessary screws and it is my job to identify them as the left over ones after reassembly. :unsure:

    Cheers, Adrian.
     
    #12 PriusVancouver, Nov 22, 2007
    babybird likes this.
  13. Cip

    Cip Junior Member

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    Hi Adrian,
    I just bought a 2005 Prius and it has some annoying spots on the behind panel. I think I would have to unmount the whole thing to do it. Do you have any like special advise/warning on this?
    Thanks!
    Ciprian.
     
    #13 Cip, Oct 1, 2009
  14. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    If you mean the speedometer.... it's a mirror you're looking at... the speedometer is actually down pointing straight up. If you can't clean spots off, they may not be on the mirror, but on the front of the display window that points up. Easier to see what I mean by looking at it from outside the car looking in the windshield.
     
    #14 BAllanJ, Oct 1, 2009
  15. Cip

    Cip Junior Member

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    Thanks! Yes, I mean the speedometer. I tried to clean both but with no luck. So I guess it's inside those down lens.
     
    #15 Cip, Oct 2, 2009
  16. Cip

    Cip Junior Member

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    Well, I think what I actually have, are some spots (I suspect they are from some silicon spray) on the down lens/plastic. The trouble is that they just don't go away. Do I really have to replace/resurface it? Did anybody find a solution?
    Thanks!
     
    #16 Cip, Oct 18, 2009
  17. neilz

    neilz Member

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    Really? I just ask the maid to clean the car.:lol:
     
    #17 neilz, Oct 18, 2009
  18. Cip

    Cip Junior Member

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    I just read about Plexus plastic cleaner... did anybody tried it to clean the speedometer lens (down part; I'm not sure if it's plastic or glass)? Do I have any chance to remove the stains?
    Also, is this Plexus recommended for the whole dashboard? If not what kind of antistatic spray can I use (I understood that armorall type should be avoided) on my dashboard?
    Any experience!?
    Thanks!
     
    #18 Cip, Oct 19, 2009
  19. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I don't recommend using anything but mild soap and water on the dash. I use a damp cloth (microfibre) with water only.

    If you remove the lens you can use "plastic polish" on it. It contains a very fine abrasive and a wax to fill the tiny scratches you finish with. By that time (dash disassembly) it's probably worth buying the part new.
     
    #19 David Beale, Oct 19, 2009
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  20. Cip

    Cip Junior Member

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    Well, ... I got the Plexus plastic cleaner ... and it didn't help. The spots are still there. It seems to give the plastic a different shine though. I will probably try it on other plastic parts just for maintainance.
     
    #20 Cip, Oct 28, 2009
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