Dashboard top removal??

Can I pull the top off the dashboard without removing the windshield?
Had a small electrical fire this weekend (that's another story ..) and want to evaluate and repair the damage.
Is there an easy way to get at the harness?
Thanks,

[Britwrench]

Taking the dash off won't help access to the harness....
Remove all the instruments, fresh air blower and ducting and you can see it.

As for the harness, depending on the year and what options you have, it's probably easier to order one from Porsche.

If it's only localised damage, then diagnose and repair the cause and then repair the harness.

[wckrause]

You can't remove the dash without removing the windshield, without damaging it. I don't think it will gain you much access anyway.

[304065]

I agree with britwrench, no reason to remove the dash unless it's melted.

See my previous posts on repairs after dash fire. BTDT.

As a brief aside, I never cease to be amazed, owning an older car, at the number of opportunities for an electrical fire. I was spending some quality time in the inverted yoga position with my head under the dash of my '71 this weekend, and was amazed at all the uninsulated connectors, chafed wires and bizarre abandoned circuits lurking under there. What is even more amazing is that it takes so little time to correct, e.g. one of the POs had run the wires for the heater through the bracket for the radio on the firewall, resulting in abrasion over the years, and a potential "ignition point." Five minutes with some wire loom (not that electrical tape garbage) and some zip ties and it's fixed and a potential trouble spot eliminated.

My first thoughts about the cause of this fire had to do with the fuse I replaced a week or so ago (#4 interior lights and clock). It was blown when I got the car back from a visit to the mechanic for engine work (valve adjust, WUR, heat exchanger transplant). Didn't think much about the popped fuse, just replaced it.
When the fire started, I shut down the ignition, and thougt that removed the electrical source of the fire. As I thought about it further, I realized that shutting off the ignition didn't have anything to do with shutting off that circuit. The fire probably went out on its own at about the same time.
I had pulled the offending fuse, still intact, thinking I had removed any source of re-ignition, but couldn't convince myself I had done enough. I almost called my wife to walk here through the process of disconnecting the battery. ( I waited and did that job myself when I got home. )
As soon as the weather warms a bit, I'll start investigating the actual cause and extent of damage.
Thanks for the pointers.

[diverdan]

Had a whole lot o' meltin goin' on when I drove my 79 SC home for the first time. The instruments had ALL been stolen and there was a plethorea of loose ends particularly from the dash light sockets. (Stupid me for not noticing.)
Anyhow, shrink tube was my savior. I only had to solder connections in two places and the shrink tube covered all the bare wires. Easy and sano. Good luck.