Hello all,

I am in the later stages of restoring a 71 Chevelle Malibu and had the light cable (string) the moves the PRNDL indicator come loose from inside the box not from the steering column. I have dropped the steering column and have removed two screws from the PRNDL indicator box, but can not figure how to get it out of the dash. Does anyone have an idea as to how I should reinstall the cable?
It seems that if the idiot light bar running under the sweep speedometer came out I could reattach the cable to the spring loaded indicator. My manual does not clearly show how that light bar is attached. Does it simply snap out or are there screws attaching the bar from behind the dash. I can't see very clearly from under the dash.
The car is an A/C model and I would rather not disassemble all the wiring and ducting to totally remove the dash unit (again).
Tell me there is an easier fix.

Thanks,farmbroker.

If you pull the dash pad you can access a lot of things. 4 screws across the top of the spedo & a couple in the glove box & pull towards the rear of the car.

LK

I believe the only way to access it is by removing most of the dash/speedometer area by removing all the screws around the speedometer part of the dash. It was quite involved when I changed over to a Covan's dash. The PRNDL assembly is just that- an independent assembly where you have to remove a lot to get to it. That sweep bar /idiot light is a seperate assembly. There are screws at each end of the idiot lights bar hidden by black covers that you need to pry out. You need to remove the dash pad for clearance, but not the wiring or ductwork.
I can't remember how the cable attaches to the assembly, but it does attach to the column with hook and a clip.

I think I have an answer for you, I have done a similar resto on a sweep gauge package (malibu), and have removed the idiot panel a few times. Look closely at the small openings where the idiot light are. You should have one for brights, alt, oil etc. There are similarly shaped openings that are the same size next to the actual idiot lights, but are completely black plastic (no lens). The black plastic in a few of those non lense openings are actually screw covers. I have had chevelles for many years and never knew until I had a busted dash panel. You will need to use a micro screwdriver to pry the plastic cover out, then there is a phillips behind to allow access to the idiot bulbs and should be the shift indicator cable within the panel. I am sure there is two screws - on each end and there may be another in the middle. Let me know how this works for you. - Dan

Sounds like the guy before me is saying the same thing...

Yeah, but if it helps... good deal!!

I'm glad I saw that. I need to fix my own shift indicator and have been dreading the job since I couldn't see what was hold the stuff in. Jobs I'm dreading have a funny way of getting postponed. Thanks for posting that.

Once again this forum has saved the day. Dan was correct, I had to remove the blank plastic lenses on the idiot light bar. One on each end and on in the middle. Upon removal of the screws, the plastic bar pops right out. This is how you would replace your burned bulbs as well. I still had to loosen the speedometer cluster to get enough room to remove the PRNDL unit, but this was not nearly as difficult a repair as I thought it might be.

Thanks again guys, you're great.

farmbroker.