Re: Plama Dials - How to fit.

 
Remove the steering column nacelle It is held with 3 screws underneath. 2 near the stalks and 1 at the bottom under the fusebox cover.So, the outer cowl of the dials is held in with 4 screws, You can now ease the cowl forward to remove the connectors from the dimmer and the mirror control. The instruments are also held by 4 screws, It is now possible to pull the instrument pod forward. To remove the pod release two long grey connectors and a short yellow one.

With the connectors freed you can now ease the instrument pod out. This is the rear face of the pod.
 
Disconnect the dial illumination plug.

The clear and black  perspex front cover is held on with 4 black lugs. It is very fragile!
But first you need to remove the 2 metal brackets holding the light box. They are marked left and right.
 

Now, by pressing the lugs in you can ease the front off.

Now you can begin fitting the dials. Ease them over the needles, and locate them on the lugs.

You will need to cut a channel in the pod body to allow the wires to exit the pod.

Then you need to ease the front back on whilst keeping the dials in position. it might be easier to use something like Pritt stick to keep the plasma dials steady whilst pressing the front into place.

Now replace the metal brackets. I took the opportunity to remove the yellow filter from the light box. As I intend to fit red leds into the box to illuminate the needles.

You now have four wires hanging out of the pod. Connect the 4 plugs to the 4 sockets on the transformer lead of the plasma kit.
 

excelent david carnt wait till part 2 as im looking at changing my cream face for the plasma one.

Don't forget to plug the lightbox back in. Refit the lightbox and metal brackets.

 
Now you need to replace the instrument pod into the dash, feed the wiring in, positioning the transformer where it won't knock or flap about.
Refit the four screws to hold the pod in place.

Now you need to decide where you are going to position the control switch/dimmer.
I fitted mine  to the steering column nacelle.
Refit the cowl.


Now you will need to pick up a live from the sidelight/instruments circuit and an earth.

Interestingly,
 On the fusebox, the middle spare connection between the two I used for the heated seats is a suitable live.
 
The three connections are, left to right 1/.ignition live 2/. Lights live 3/. Permanent Live.

Refit the steering column shroud and the steering wheel. Don't forget to re-align the steering wheel. Reconnect the multiplug and the air bag connection. Bolt up the airbag.

Reconnect the battery and test your electrics. Test to see all your dials are working correctly


 

Thank you David, that was a really good post and "How To" ~ Dials look great too!! :woohoo:

Useful info.

I managed to remove the dails from my MK1 without removing the steering wheel, not having the gear change buttons may help. Removing the rubber cover from the trip meter reset button makes all the difference, then gentle wriggle it out to the right.

However before it comes out you have to disconnect the speedo drive, this is done by closing the white fitting at the end furthest from the actual speedo. It may be quite difficult the first time but the design has improved over the 1980's MGs which helps.

I did a how to showing you can remove the instrument cluster without removing anything, other than the cowel . Obviosuly the Mk2 doesn't have the speedo cable of course

It doesn't appear in your section.......

Once I removed the dial cowling the top steering column cowling just pops off.

I have just seen the plama dials,never seen them before,I must get out more .not sure if I like them but where do you get them from

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