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Hi Guy`s,
You may think I`m trippin , but I`m not. After I had my 03 Civic a few months I noticed what I thought was a scratch on the inside clear plastic that covers the instrument cluster ( I tried to brush it away and no luck).
Then the other day a was cleaning it with a soft cotton cloth and the scratch moved. Now I know what you must be thinking , but this is true and it`s driving me nuts. Under the right conditions (dry air , warm , and a soft cotton cloth that causes static electricity) and the piece of hair moves.
Is there any easy way to get that damn thing out. Short of pulling the dash?
It`s not realy noticable , but I know it`s there , and it is realy realy making me nuts.
You may think this is a joke , but it is not. It moved and scratches don`t move and they aren`t affected by a static discharge.
Thank you for reading this , any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks again.
Jedi

 
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Just take out the gauge bezel. There should be two screws above, then you can pull the cover out. The plastic cover is clipped on, atleast for 01-02 cars.

 
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Hi gearbox,
Thank for the reply, I noticed that there are two screws that hols that bezel on.
What should I do after I remove those , does it come right out or are there clips and where should I aply pressure?
I did a search before I posted , and under the DIY section it shows how to take the whole dash out and going by those pic`s it seems there are some clips on top of the clear plastic. Any thoughts ? Thanks again for your help.
jedi

 
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taka a can of compressed air and try to blow it to a spot that's not so obvious?heh

 
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Well once the screws are out, you have to pull the bezel trim straight out toward you from the bottom. It's gonna be hard, since there's glue and clips, so you just have to pull. Best thing is to slide your fingers in from the top and then work your way down to get a good grip. Then the plastic should just clip off, and you won't have to take out the actual instrument cluster.

 
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Thanks for the replies,
turboslug, Where or how would I get the air into the instrument cluster?
gearbox, Thanks for the instructions, but if it`s glued in place how can you remove it with out breaking anything?
MREEZYSMRS, It IS bugging that crap out of me, It`s not so bad until the sun hits it and then it stands out like a sore thumb !
If you guy`s have any other help that you could offer it would be a GREAT help and might even keep my sanity
Thank`s to all

 
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It just means you have to pull harder. It's just sticky glue, so the first time pulling it off will be the worst. It won't break. Just pull with one hand on each side from the bottom. Pull straight towards you.

 
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O ! Ok , so once I get the bezel off is it hard to get at the clear piece to remove that?
Sorry to be a pest , just haven`t done anything like this before.
Would a place that installs radios be familiar with something like that?
I almost wish it was a scratch I was starting to live with it until it moved
Thank for your help

 
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was it a pube

 
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LOL Nope
It`s blond, I think, a light color.

 
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DIY search there on how to remove ur cluster

 
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Thanks hi2nr, but I already did and I couldn`t find anything that is 03, I found what I belive to be instructions for an 02 ( 2 holes in clear plastic, 03`s just have 1 ).
Also from what I was able to find , there was nothing specific about removing the clear plastic after removing the bezel.
If you know of such I site , maybe you could "link" me up if you reply. Thanks

 
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ohhhh if u found da 02... its da same all u have to do is pry the clear piece off........there are like a few tabs on da side of the cluster.....its jus a matter of findin tabs to push the clear piece off........and another thing is that on da bak of the cluster there are two white tabs....unclip those and then unclip then start to unclip the clips on the side or else it wont come out....but its easy....and its durable so u dont have to worry about breakin anything...any other questions removin the cluster PM me or use AIM my screen name is HI2NR

 
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Thanks , HI2NR , for your help it is VERY appreciated.
The only other thing that concerns me is the removal of the bezel itself.
When I remove the 2 screws are there clips that could come free that hold the screws or are they self-tapping directly into the plastic.
Thanks again for your time and help !
jedi

 
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nope they arent self tapping

 
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Thanks , HI2NR , but this juat aint happen`n.
I removed the 2 screws , A-OK , and was able to release it from the top but thats as far as it would go. I yanked on till I thought it would break and still nothing. Even if it did "break free" how would I get past the steering colum.
I da now man, kinda looks like I got a couple of options , 1 take the 2 screws out again and just let it break and replace with a new one , or just put up with it.
There was a "commpressed air " suggestion but how would you even get close to an opening ?
Man , I don`t know , if I take it back to the dealer there bound to screw it up. Would realy rather do it myself. The part is only like 10 bucks for the bezel (on-line @ AutoParts Select.com , but they don`t list the clear in case that would break (might as well be safe and buy both pieces , if I`m goin to go that route at all).
There is sooo much that could get messed up and I know that the dealer is going to care even less and basicly not give a $hit So right now I`m kinda` in a deep thought as to exacty what to do.
I want to thank you and everyone that helped ,and you did even though the job is on hold for the moment , but that will change when it starts bugging me again.
I might take your offer up and drop ya an e-mail (don`t have IM , (tried it don`t work so good with Mac`s ) .
Anyway , Thanks again ,
Jedi
Slowwwwly gona go NUTS
Latter

 
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yo...move ur steering wheel column down all da way...then slide the bezel out to the side.....to remove the bezel u need a flat head screw driver with a piece of cloth.....there are two metal clips one on the bottom right and bottom left use the screw driver with the cloth wrapped around it and pry it out....then once the bezel is out unscrew the cluster...then tilt it and unclip the two harnesses and pull the cluster out...and if u live near houston i can do it for ya free....

 
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Thanks for the reply , HI2NR ,
I da` know , with my luck I`d break the screw driver LOL !!
Like I said , thank you soooo much for all your kind help, with the added info I might give it another try.
Let`s see, 1st remove the 2 upper screws , pry the bottom left & right , then pull the top part down enough to clear the 2 post where the screws go and then it should come right out.
After that , is it nessesary the remove the instruments cluster itself or can I just remove the clear plastic. ( clips on ? )
Hey , dude , many thanks for all your help and time , if you ever get to New Hamshire , I`ll buy you a beer or 2 or 3 ( or a Pepsi )
Take care,
Jedi

 
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IMO i would remove the cluster because it gives u more room to work on the cluster so u dont accedentally break it...but there are a few clips so dont forget about them...but overall it is easy and the clips jus pop right out.....its kinda hard to break but if u were to like really put some strength into it then it might break......but this is easy ive done it many times on mine and my friends car during the cluster swap.....man that was a pain in da a$$....but i didnt break anything...so thats a good sign..........hahahaha

 
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Thanks for the tip HI2NR, I guess if it`s gona` give me more room to work that is a very good thing !! Won`t be able to tackle it for a few days, but I sure appreciate all your help If I run into a snag I`ll just plan on taking a small road trip and stop by and let you do it LOL/ LOL.
So you done it a few times no break`s that was a very good thing , maybe they are stronger than they look ! hahaha
Well , thank again for all your tips , if I get the thing apart and run into a snag I`ll e-mail you , thanks
Jedi

 
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alright

 
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Hi Guy`s,
I`m back and the piece of hair is still in my instrument cluster.
I have received alot of very good adivce on how to remove the inner-visor or bezel , but for some reason in won`t budge.
Can someone please try to help again ? I have pulled , pryed , I even yelled at it (LOL) and I can`t free it up.
I have replacment parts that came today so breaking the inner-visor or intrument lens is not an issue ( would rather not of course ).
PPPPPlease help , many thanks ,
Gary (jedi)

 
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***UP-DATE***
Woke up this morrning with a mission.
NO MORE HAIRY INSTUMENT CLUSTER !! ( sorry for yelling )
Anyway , I must have dreamt how to do it
I woke up at 6:00 grabed the parts that I reveived the day before and tackeled it !!
All went fairly well , once I had a chance to see where and how it was attached.
A ended up scratching up old one and breaking a tab off the old lens , good thing I bought both !!
About an hour latter it was all finished and cleaned up.
I did hve to remove the instrument cluster , but that was easy ( and I didn`t break anything LOL ) , pryed the old lens off snaped on the new one , screwed it back in place , although it was kind`a tricky getting the cluster all the way out to work on it.
Then the inner visor slid into place
And now I have a clean instrument cluster
I would like to thank , all who offered there help and support , I couldn`t have done it without ya`
I printed out this thread last night and read all the replies several times and it must have finally sunk-in how it`s done !!
Once again many thanks !!
Gary

 
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what a weirdo.

 
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"what a weirdo."
I hope your refering to to the...

 
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one strand of hair and it whooped yo *** for quite some time hahahaha