I have read various posts which indicate or imply there is a panel that can be opened or removed to access the area underneath the dash for various maintenance actions. When I was briefly at our coach (1997 U270) this past Sat, I found the removable panel, beside the stairs, that can be removed to access an electrical distribution panel of some sort. But I could not locate any other panel that can be removed or opened to access under the dash.
Is there any other panel that can be removed or opened to access under the dash? If so, where is it and how is it removed/opened?
Thank you.
1995-2000
The large curved (at the top) dashboard is enclosed at the top by an upholstered quarter spherical bubble-like cover. This is hinged at the back (toward the windshield). Maybe the latches located at either side of the this dash cover are very tight and will not let you open it. Place your hands on either side of the cover and pry upwards. You really want these latches to grip the cover tightly so don't lube them to make opening the cover too easy.
I think our vehicles are about the same. Of course the hood over the instrument panel can be tilted toward the windshield for access to the back of the instruments. The part with the cup holders in the center of the dash is hinged and can be pulled up. If the instrument hood is removed, the padded flat dash can be removed. It is held in place with velcro, be careful not to bend it too much as it is mostly a thin piece of plywood that may be 2 pieces taped together. You may also have to remove some air vents too. You will need to do this if you want to work on the wiper mechanism or the dash air. There is a metal frame behind the dash to which several pieces of plywood have been fastened with screws. Most of the stuff behind the electrical panel are 12 v circuit breakers that automatically reset when a fault is corrected. I haven't found any fuses there.
Thank you very much for this information. I will try these in the near future when I have more time to investigate. The last thing I want to do is get in a hurry and break something.
Actually, on the 95 Unicoach (at least mine), the cover uses the several brass 'ball catch' style latches like the cabinet doors and it just lifts completely off.
My 93 dash was hinged at the window side and it used the nylon (male) and spring steel (female) style catches.
Morris,
I'm late to the show , as usual. Others have covered most of what I could contribute, save two items:
- There are two small, rug carpeted vertical panels, just forward of the brake and throttle treadles. They are screwed into the dash metal framework backing the panels. I needed that access when I replaced my original aluminum mirrors, when I replaced my original windshield wiper drive mechanism (Warranty/FOT Supplied) and when I replaced the driver's side through-cap Windshield Washer fitting. The copilot's side W/W fitting can be reached by removing the closest defroster windshield vent fitting/then the attached ducting (tether the ducting before you detach it, so that you don't lose it out of reach into the dash). My Instrument cluster "Hood" is hinged like Jerry's, so your year is "sandwiched" between us, and should be easily removed by removing just four screws, as I recall.
- Also, if and when you remove the padded flat dash cover that is Velcro'd to the underlying (thick, maybe 3/4"?) plywood, you must remove the retracted, accordion pleated front shades, first, in order to free up enough clearance.
[/list]Merry Christmas to All, :)
Neal
One additional caution. If you're going to remove the velcro'd dash panel, first remove the co-pilot side trim piece to which the grab handle is attached. Otherwise, you might start a crack in the windshield by lifting the dash panel. Don't ask me how I know.