how do i get into the gauge pod?

i know a lot of you probably have custom gauges so i'm wondering if you could give me directions on how to get into the gauge pod? i want to change the bulbs and also there's a lady-bug that crawled up into my dash that seems to have died or just hibernated in the middle of my speedometer :mad:

any help is appreciated....

First make sure you have a full tank of gas.

There should be two screws (depending on the model Civic you have) facing down towards the floor. Take those out. If you have a 92-95 Civic you also have to pop out the hazard button and remove that screw behind the button.

Once those screws are out just tug lightly on the plastic shroud and it should pop out. Then there are 4 bolts at each corner of the gauges. Then you unplug (should be) 4 plugs behind the gauges.

Then if there is a bug in the gauges there are 4 plastic tabs which you just have to press to get the clear part off.

I unscrewed the two screws at the top and it start to slide out. But it seems to be stuck at the bottom. Do I just need to apply some force? I was afraid I was going to break it. And why does the gas need to be full?

P.S. The car is a 97 (automatic)...

The bottom of it should just pop off. Make sure you pull straight at yourself. It also helps to lower the steering wheel to get a better grip on it.

"There should be two screws (depending on the model Civic you have) facing down towards the floor. Take those out. If you have a 92-95 Civic you also have to pop out the hazard button and remove that screw behind the button."

Son of a bitch!! Damn I wish someone would have told me this BEFORE I got to my gauge cluster! I got a set of instructions on how to get to the same area, and they NEVER mentioned poping out the hazard light switch to get to the screw. I must have busted it because now it doesnt set just perfectly anymore and now i know why!

Jeez I wish people would tell me stuff...

You have to ask.

Ok, this is how far I've gotten (plus I got the plastic off):
http://www.rtek.org/images/gauge1.jpg

Remaining Questions:
-Why should the gas be full?
-And does anyone know the two types of bulbs i need? (light that shines onto the gauges (white) and the gear indicator (green for D4)

And where are the plugs, lol....

Ok, this is how far I've gotten (plus I got the plastic off):
http://www.rtek.org/images/gauge1.jpg

Remaining Questions:
-Why should the gas be full?
-And does anyone know the two types of bulbs i need? (light that shines onto the gauges (white) and the gear indicator (green for D4)

I recommend the gas tank being full because once you unplug the gauges from the plugs the needle will go to empty. So when you plug everything back together you want the needle at full.

You have to take the whole pod out of the dash though. I don't know how you got the plastic off without removing the whole pod from the dash :) You must have small fingers....

There are 4 philips head screws at each corner of the pod.

Ok. I've gotten everything out. I changed out the gear indicator bulb so now the D4 lights up. Now I am tryin to change the backlit bulbs. I can't find anyone with amber ones. Anyone know where I could find some?

You have to ask.

And how was I supposed to know to ask if there was another screw? The instructions said to do the 2 screws and pull hard. It didn't hesitate man, there was no way I should have thought different.

I'm sure you would have though. And I'll bet you would have double-bagged it too...

And how was I supposed to know to ask if there was another screw? The instructions said to do the 2 screws and pull hard. It didn't hesitate man, there was no way I should have thought different.

I'm sure you would have though. And I'll bet you would have double-bagged it too...

lol... who's directions were these that didn't have anything listed about taking the screw out from behind the hazzard lights? you really have to be careful whos advice you take online anyone can say how to do something but that doesnt make it right. all is probably not lost here though... take the gauge surround back off and see what kind of damage has been done. if you are lucky mabe it just cracked and pulled off leaving the screw still in the hole. if this is the case take the screw out and put a decent sized washer on it then when you put the surround back in put the screw with the washer back in the hole (to do this you will need the hazzard button removed, this can be done rather easily if the surround is already removed, just pop it out)