onboard computer removal

[AndyMack]

is there an easy way to pop it out the dash?

I have the radio removed and cage and can feel the computer with my hand. Does it not just slide out the front?

[Dan318-is]

fraid not fella

4 tiny screws holding it on which are a bastard to get oo

then u got the loom...

[Cloggy Saint]

rather than groping around blind and dropping screws, i find it's easier to loosen the complete stereo/heater panel and pull it out just enough to get access to the obc.

[orangecurry]

get a small mirror (girlfriends have lots of uses), work the mirror through the radio slot and you will see the screws - once you know where they are (and have undone them a few times) you can get a screwdriver and your hand in the radio slot and do it blind so to speak

some people recommend undoing the two on the radio side completely, and only loosening the two on the glovebox side.

I've tried that and it does work, you can get it out by wiggling, but just watch the temper so as not to break any plastic

[AndyMack]

rather than groping around blind and dropping screws, i find it's easier to loosen the complete stereo/heater panel and pull it out just enough to get access to the obc.

how do i do that?

[Cloggy Saint]

2 screws at the top, behind the hazard & demister switches (i think) and 2 at the bottom above the centre storage space. The bottom 2 are blind but quite easy to get at. Once these are out gently ease the panel forward until the obc screws are visible.

[Ratfink]

do you mean the digi clock next to the radio?

[okadas_cat]

I did this the other day...it's a nightmare

take out the radio, pop out the hazard, demister, etc switches. Undo the screws behind these. Undo the two screws at the bottom of the panel behind the storage space (all as datourer says). This will allow you to pull the panel out a tad.

Then remove the plastic trim bit to the glovebox next to the central panel. It's all really fiddly because you have to undo the bits of string stopping the glove box lid falling down - a sort of twist and pull action is needed. I also disconnected the glovebox light. Then remove the plastic panel next to hte central panel / glovebox. A couple of screws at the top of the glovebox opening, and some trim tabs in the passenger footwell area IIRC. Removing this bit of trim will allow you to get your hand in to undo the screws behind the OBC holding it in. (Just don't drop these screws, they're v difficult to find if you do.)

If you're just replacing the OBC lights, which is what I did, you don't need to undo the screws all the way. I guess if you're actually taking the OBC out, you'll need it completely unscrewed, and there'll be some sort of electrical connection.

HTH. Good luck

[Ratfink]

Are you guys on about the clock????
coz the front comes off to remove it

[Brianmoooore]

Are you guys on about the clock????
coz the front comes off to remove it

OBC fits in place of the clock.
Clock = very easy to remove.
OBC = nightmare to remove.

I always use orangecurry's method.

[orangecurry]

hey it's not my method;

somebody else has done the hard work - just took the zones hints and the american sites tips; have taken the OBC out twice now......

the easiest I found was to undo the top 2 heater surround screws, but not the bottom 2. This means you can lean the whole assembly out of the dash just enough to see the two OBC screws on the LEFT - hence you don't have to unscrew these all the way but you CAN now actually SEE them, so even if your hand is crushed behind the OBC with a screwdriver, you cand SEE the screwdriver blade and the screws.

If you want actually to remove the OBC (rather than just slide the light-bar out), you can by removing the single big plastic cover to the right of the glovebox (you can work it out of the way just enough) and that way you don't HAVE to remove the glovebox - just drop the lid all the way down by disconnecting the straps.

[beardymat]

hows about removing the whole surround?

i take it you have found the top two screws and the fiddly bottom two (need a stubby screwdriver for these) but it wont come far out because of the heater controls! well if you pull off the two heater knobs you will see a small retaining nut behind them(possibly only on one but its been a while since i had mine apart) and then pull off the three sliders and you will be able to remove a black trim from behind them,there you will find four screws, unscrew these and you can then pull the surround away,unplug the obc and work on the fixing screws somewhere where you wont loose them.

this may sound a little long winded but i can have one of these babies out in around 10 mins

[Cloggy Saint]

Agreed, it may take a little longer at first but it can save a lot of swearing and groping around for dropped screws.

[Ratfink]

whats an on board computer do then...i know im being thick, but im curious!

[orangecurry]

double agreed - we can skin our cat many ways - I've dropped three screws in my adventures, but you can reach then through the ashtray or simply run your fingers up inside the front console where it meets the carpet - your fingers open a small gap and the screws just fall out(unless they are in the middle when you can reach them from the ashtray hole).

With 'my' method, I just found that I could do everything I needed, so why risk more dropped screws?

An OBC tells you to put on your seatbelt, the lights are off when they should be on, you are driving too fast, we pulled too many g-s on that last corner etc etc
bit like having the mother-in-law on board, but with less weight

[Cloggy Saint]

bit like having the mother-in-law on board, but with less weight

[Ratfink]

Thanks for that now i know!