These notes are tailored to 2CV Special, Dolly & Bamboo, with small speedo.
1: Disconnect the battery negative terminal.
2: Around the speedometer, there are 4 screws. Undo these to release the metal switch panel.
- Tip: There is a rubber spacer on each of these screws, behind the panel. These can easily be lost if the screws are fully removed. However, if the screws are undone only enough to release from their threaded holes behind, the panel can be withdrawn together with the spacers still held on the last few threads of the screws.
- Tip: The rubber spacers can stick to either or both surfaces. If so, the panel may need a bit of gentle wiggling to release.
3: Once the panel is loose, locate the speedo cable under the bonnet and push any slack towards and through the bulkhead. Then locate the cable under the dash and push the slack towards the speedo. This should move the panel outwards and should give enough room to get a hand in to unscrew the cable from the back of the speedo unit if you need to for better access, (as once the cable is undone, the panel can be gently moved further out).
- Tip: As the panel is moved out, it pulls on the wiring, so watch carefully as you do this, just in case you have any loose connections. This is not often an issue with later cars, (with coloured plastic covers over spade connectors) but is more common on cars with round terminals, if the rubber tension sleeves are split of loose. (We sell new silicone rubber tension sleeves if you need some).
4: Locate the wiring:
- On later 2cvs, with coloured plastic covers over spade connectors, you will find some wiring which is not connected: You are looking for 2 pairs which have been taped together by Citroën with insulation tape. One pair has a blue and a brown plastic cover on its spade connectors. The other pair has green and brown. Temporarily connect the blue and brown to your main-beam warning light and connect the green and brown to your indicator warning light. Ensure that all other connections and wiring are safely in place before reconnecting the battery to test the operation of your warning lights*. Then, for safety, disconnect the battery again before continuing. (*If either light does not work, you will need testing equipment and a good knowledge of car electrics to establish the cause).
- On 2cvs without existing suitable connectors, a good knowledge of car electrics will be required in order to safely adapt the wiring as required. If you are not confident and sufficiently competent to do this, we advise you to employ someone who is.
5: Fit your warning lights: You can either utilise the ‘spare’ holes that were blanked off in the factory or drill new ones but ensure the following:
- There is sufficient room for the new warning light units and wiring, once the panel is back in place,
- The wiring will reach the chosen locations,
- If you are drilling new holes, ensure that any nearby wiring is protected!
6: Re-assembly: Check that the speedo cable is connected, that all wiring is securely connected to all switches, warning lights, fuel gauge etc. Check that all the spacers are all in place behind the switch panel, on the ends of the screws. Under the dash, gently pull the speedo cable to pull the switch panel close to its location, check that no wiring is trapped of pulled excessively and secure the panel with the 4 screws. If necessary re-position the speedo cable on either side of the bulkhead. Reconnect the battery and enjoy your new dash lights!