How do I remove the Cluster Finish Panel Assembly?

go invest 15 and get the haynes manual

 

Just use the search function on this website. There are numerous detailed posts on how to take apart the dash on these cars. Pretty simple, really. most of it snaps on and off. Just take your time and it should be OK.

 

Be careful. At least with the 2001 like I have It just doesn't snap off. There are 2 nuts you need to take off under the emergency flasher panel assembly. Seems like there were a couple screws near the bottom too. I broke mine because I didn't see the nuts. The whole thing seems flimsy and a poor design in my opinion so take care.

 

It is a bit more complicated than that. Because the CFP is "underneath" a bunch of passenger and driver side components, it's necessary to take off the lower panel of the center front console (two fasteners, one by driver foot and one by passenger foot) which will probably break, so have a couple of speednuts in readiness). Remove the ash tray, unhook a couple of wires from the lower panel, and get it out of the way.

Pry up the panel which holds the flasher switch (big red triangle) and unhook the two cable assemblies. Undo the two lower screws and two upper nuts, and then gently pry first the lower panel, then the whole assembly, a bit at a time, out of its snug little nest.

There are several sets of plastic fasteners hidden blindly around the CFP to hold it in place, so some amount of fiddling is necessary. Patience is a virtue.

Pictures: Check the repair manual, pages 1853 and 1854 (in my 2003 edition)

Warning: I have found that in Southern cars, having been exposed to heat and sunlight for years, the plasticizer in the CFP has been driven out and the entire assembly becomes incredibly brittle. I have had one literally crumble in my hands during a disassembly.

But, if you want to replace the little lights behind the cluster panel, it's what you gotta do...

 

What I learned the first time I did this was to expect the force required anywhere to be pretty low, and to stop and find out why if it isn't. On my car anyway, it seems like if the word "pry" is used in the manual (complete with a nice picture of a tape-covered screwdriver), "gently squeeze and pop out with fingers" seems to work fine. The time it didn't, it was because I had missed the nuts under the flasher switch, not because anything needed to be pried.

The hazard switch itself gently pops out with fingers (put all fingers on top of the assembly, that is, the flat surface under the MFD screen, thumbs on the center panel below the flasher switch, and squeeze fingers and thumb together to draw the switch assembly down and toward you).

The lower panel (which has to come out before the CFP) has two plastic clips (one by the driver's and one by the passenger's foot). My favorite Toyota body clips are the 90467-07117 style, with the center pin that you just push in with a click, then the clip is loose and comes right out. Before you put the clip back in, you push the pin back through so it sticks out, put the clip in place, then push the pin flush with another little click. I don't remember if the lower panel clips were originally this style, but they are now: I bought a couple bags of these clips at the dealer and whenever I have to take out any of the more annoying kind, the nice kind is what goes back in.

-Chap

 

What is the part number for the cluster Finish panel assembly?

 

Not sure what the part # is but, here's a link to purchase a new one.

2001 Toyota Prius Parts - Genuine Toyota Parts

Type in finish panel for keyword/part # and it will be the first item to come up. You can click on the View Diagram and it is item 9.

 

Thanks for the detail. I have an '03 I just purchased and the display touch screen is broken as well as the finish panel. I need to remove the finish panel and install a new one as well as remove the multi-function display and replace it. I have the display, waiting on the finish panel. Do you or does anyone know where I can access the repair manual pages to which you refer in this post? On line. Not really interested in buying a shop manual from Toyota.

 

I have a 2002 where exactly are the screws and are there any bolts? (ajeadie yahoo com)
Did you find a drawing or schematic of the cover, I broke mine too!

Thank you

 

Here is a step by step instruction with pics.

 

see Replacement Center Dash Panel | PriusChat

 

In the "haynes manual" there is no instructions to remove the Cluster Finish Panel. If so? Which page?

 

The Haynes manual is ok but doesn't have everything. There is more useful knowledge in the PriusChat forums than any manual..you just have to dig around a bit to find it.

 

Did you see my post with the attachment/step by step instructions?

 

I shot this video back in August of removing the center panel, but only now got around to editing it for a hosting service. Caveat, the panel in the vid is newer than an original one from 2001-3, so it might still not be this easy, but I wanted to post just in case technique has anything to do with it and maybe some breakages can be avoided.

(In case the video embed feature in the forum software gives trouble, here's a direct link.)

-Chap

 

Newb to the forums here. I broke my finish assembly panel replacing a broken touchscreen the week after I bought my (heavily used) prius.

I just ordered the finish assembly panel, and was wondering if there are any tricks / hints I should be aware of before I go to replace it?

It looks like I'm going to have to swap all the parts on it, right?

Also, I have some 'lights' out on the right-hand side of that panel. Sometimes they flicker. I figured I'd check for loose / broken connections while I'm in there -- anything I should look out for there? Thanks!

 

Many of the center dash bulbs are incandescent so test them all one evening (with light switch on) before taking everything apart.
Remove storage pocket or CD player.
Remove trim panel with everything still attached to it backside, just unhook harnesses from car and remove entire assembly.

Once out of car lie upside down on a towel and start swapping parts over. It's pretty obvious once you start taking is apart and compare to new part from Toyota.
The knob dials pull straight out then there are locknuts under the 3 dials.
Everything else is Phillips screws I believe. There are clear plastic "light tubes" that you may need to transfer as well as the silver control buttons.

 

Or put the finish panels upside down on a towel, and work in whatever position is comfortable for you.

At one point as things come apart, you'll be looking at (if I remember right) a thin ribbon cable from the heater control, that goes to a zero-insertion-force cable connector. If you've done any messing around inside laptops or cell phones you probably know how to work that sort of connector already. If you don't, you might Google for some examples - it's simple but not always at first glance.

Out of curiosity, were you following my video above at the time you broke the panel?

-Chap