I want to clean the clear lens on the instrument console so I am trying to separate the two halves. I have taken the screws off of the sides and remove the C clips and unclipped the clips on the bottom but the console is still bound at the top. I have tried to pry but don’t want to push it too far so it breaks. Any ideas on how to separate the two halves?

 

Remove the caps of the two dials, they come off pulling not screwing (the mileage and clock dials). Then, you have to gently but firmly pray a latch in the middle top. Then, wiggle each piece trying to separate them.

 

It takes a surprising amount of force to pry the halves apart. I thought I was going to break something when took mine apart.
I have a '99 Boxster (I'm assuming the '99 996 has the same cluster type) and the back of the cluster has a tab on each side that must be slid over to disconnect the circuit boards. You should see two small rectangular holes with green circuit board visible.
Here's a link that might help...
http://www.iwantaporsche.net/cluster.htm

Hope this helps.
Regards,
mike

 

I was able to separate it. Here's the thing. In the back, there is an access part that you can actually see the tab. All I did was gently place a screw driver in there and slightly twisted - the whole thing came apart ever so easily. No significant force at all. Thanks all.

 

My instrument cluster is a bit different and I'm stuck The back of my unit is below, and I'm trying to separate it at the yellow arrow in the second pic, but it won't come apart there. Any help?

 

I had the same issue when I was dissembling mine, where your yellow arrow points in the last picture is where the clip is.

It takes some wrestling with it, basically the front half clips into the back half. Took me a few days opening mine because I thought I was missing something.

I recall gently pushing down whilst twisting the 1st half to the left to release the clip. When you do manage to get it free blow it with compressed air.

I will post a picture of the clip when I find it.