Glow plug light

[shampooefficient]

Morning all. I can't see an introductions topic so very briefly, new member, family member has bought a diesel 1990ish T3 high top camper. Apparently I agreed that I would look after it, presumably when I wasn't in. Anyway I think the glow plug light is missing completely from the cluster.

The van seems to start fine if I treat it like our old Jeep, ignition on and wait 10 seconds before turning over. Just curious of two things - firstly is it a tricky thing to wire a new one in or does it take a feed from somewhere convenient?

Secondly is this a common mod for a reason I'm unaware of... Or is it just a previous owner making a pigs ear of things?

How hard is it to get the cluster out without breakage? Is it like a Golf where the speedo cable will make a break for freedom if, as I suspect, the plug is broken?

Thanks in advance, I'm still exploring the forums and the Wiki so if I've missed something obvious just tell me...

[Aidan]

if missing completely then it's a petrol dash - there will be a black blanking fitted where the hole should be for the glow plug led and no glow plug symbol below it
AFAIK the actual circuit board is the same for both petrol and diesel so it should be a simple case of taking the pod apart removing the blanking plug and fitting a (yellow I believe) led in the led holder on the board and then reassembling
The whole unit becomes brittle with age and you will likely find bits broken or that break whilst taking it apart but if you are handy with plastic metal and the sort that fixes things then it shouldn't prove insurmountable.
Speedo cable connector is a push fit bayonet type fitting in plastic, with a squeezable latch, it usually comes off without a problem and remains handy for refitting, but the latch can snap off.
The main circuit board edge connector is usually accessible from below and the hardest part usually is removing the switches from the pod trying to press both tabs to get them out. Remove battery earth connection first so you can leave the switches connected to the loom, removing the connectors is harder and more likely to result in damage to switches in my experience, apart from the simple edge connector on the brake warning lamp which is easy to remove and refit

[shampooefficient]

Aidan,

Fantastic advice, thank you! I see some skinned knuckles in my near future. Great to find an online community with this sort of knowledge.