I took a couple hours to post and lost it all.
Learned my "save" lesson.
So will make this briefer and curtail the requisite Fiat humor.
This forum is amazing as I was able to diagnose, treat and cure my F I A T.
That's right, this post is made possible by my very first Fix It Again Tomorrow episode. Although my wife likes to refer to it as Floor It Again Teresa...
The other driver (see above) went to set my trip meter and pushed it through the dash. May change her name to Helga. Sorry if that is you, or your significant other driver's name.
So, I researched and removed the 4 knurled knobs to remove the dash panel. Wouldn't come out, back to the forum.
Forum tells me there are 2 or maybe 4 bolts holding up the steering column that must be lowered in order to remove dash panel. I found there are 2 bolts and 2 round "bolts".
I removed the 2 bolts to lower the wheel and access the dash. Lowered it just enough without worrying about the bolts with the rectangle metal pieces. Pulled out the dash and put the trip knob back through. Should be a bezel to hold it in place - which I do not have. Maybe Ace has a 1/2" flat nut I can use until I "inherit" the bezel. Had to get out of the car and leaned on the wheel pushing it down and making the dash come out more.
Put dash back in place (good idea to turn the key and see if lights on dash come on - simple test to make sure things are still attached).
Lifted wheel back into place, the rectangle pieces had bent allowing the wheel to drop. Got the 2 bolts to catch to hold in place, fit the column back over those metal pieces and then hammer/flat chisel to flatten them back out to hold the column in place. Tighten the bolts. (It was difficult to do this with those rectangle pieces, can some expert tell us how to loosen those and rotate the metal plates?)
Stand back amazed and drive it.
BUT speedometer doesn't work.
This is my very first Fix It Again Tomorrow experience. I feel baptized and anointed into the church of the wholly Fiat.
Back to the forum.
Remove dash and column (see above) no cursing allowed.
And find cable not attached to speedometer.
Cable
Speedometer back
Can't....quite....reach....RATS!
Back to forum. (anyone know how to get greasy finger prints off white Mac?)
Forum said; cable rear tranny (transmission) firewall drivers side short long bend spin
I'M NOT A MECHANIC.
Short of it, loosen cable at transmission adapter to give slack and then attach to speedometer and then reattach to tranny adapter.
But I will include a couple prints for those like me.
Transmission and speedometer cable adapter
another of adapter
With all of the above in mind, Mike said to raise up drivers side and get under there.
I put the front tires up on ramps and here is what I could see.
View of adapter on tranny from front: (cable is unattached)
View of Cable unattached from the adapter
Unscrewed the cable and gave it a little slack.
Back up top, pulled cable a little so I could reach speedo.
Slid back white plastic sleeve to expose grips/teeth and connected to speedo, slid sleeve back on.
Carefully put dash back in place.
Back under to reattach cable to adapter on tranny.
Back inside to drive it around driveway... ITS WORKING, ITS WORKING.
Reinstall dash.
Reinstall steering wheel column.
AND DRIVE LIKE THE WIND.
With a heartfelt 1978 send off:
Peace, Love and Bobby Sherman.
-ole
PS
Future posts: fixed gas filler line ($25)/ fixed broken trunk lock $0/ fixed rear blinker $0 - left rear good/ with brakes it was slow/ with lights it don't work - found ground in trunk and it works. I stand amazed.
If any NEED those posts earlier with pics, let me know. I'm on break and this took too long as it is.
