So I bought my car with the JCW shift light already installed. When I was trying to take the dash off for the first time it appeared that the mounting for the shift light was holding down the dash cover and I couldn't get it off. Are these shift lights drilled all the way down or how do I get this off? I thought they were traditionally just bolted to the dash cover but it appears the screws go in further. Anyone have an idea how to get my dash cover off with this JCW light?

 

See the installation instructions: http://motoringfile.com/howto/jcw_indicator.pdf

 

May be a non-standard installation. The R53 calls for it to be installed on the dash. I'd just take out the screws if it's in your way.

 

Thats what I'm thinking. Problem is I cannot get the dash cover off or even lift it a little. The only other way is to remove the speedo. Can the speedo be removed with the dash cover in place? If so can you gain access to the underside of the dash cover once the speedo is out of the way?

 

Did you look at the installation instructions I linked? If you know how it is installed, you'll know how to remove it. It has diagrams and involves removing the speedo.

The speedo can be removed after removing the painted center dash panel.