Hey John,
I had the same problem, the clip fell in the hole and lodged itself in the
gas gauge. I fished it out with a piece of stiff wire that I wrapped in duct
tape, sticky side out. Kinda like one of those crane games where you can
fish out a teddy bear or a gold watch. took about five frustrating minutes.

to solve the uneven light problem i removed the metal and the piece of
plastic from both speedo and clock sides. Presto! everything the same and
well lit.
Good luck,
Don
----- Original Message -----
From: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 7:41 AM
Subject: Instrument Lighting Mishap

> When changing the bulb over the tach in my 88 GL, I found it difficult
> to get at to get the right twist on the bulb itself. So, In my wisdom )
> in this instance...HA HA!!) I removed the little square fixture that
> attached over the tach. Made removal of the bulb easy.
>
> But, when I went to put it back together I found a little piece of metal
> laying on the instrument pod. It had come loose from somewhere...the
> fixture, the dash, not sure where, and I don't know where it goes or how
> to put it back in. I mounted the light, turned it on, and it worked.
> Only the throw of the light is not right, and certainly didn't match the
> speedo lighting. Night fell on me, so I couldn't finish the job, so
> waited 'til morning. This morning  I decides to take the other fixture
> loose so I could see what the metal piece was all about. So I am working
> with the cover off the instrument panel, trying to unlock the light
> fixture, and it is stuck. Made sure the locks were clear, still stuck.
> Applied just a little more pressure...and pop...it comes loose
> suddenly,,,and ding-a-ling...the little metal piece goes flying and
> strikes the windshield, bounces back, and right down the hole in the
> instrument pod into the never never land behind the dash!!!!  I will
> never find it or be able to fish it out. I hope it doesn't cause a
> short, burn out a component, or start a fire.
>
> So now I have two fixtures with no metal piece on either/
>
> Question. has anyone out there with parts vehicles got some of the
> fixtures they could sell me with the little metal pieces attached.
>
> Question, does anyone know how the metal piece is installed?
>
> Question. If no one has some they could sell me, do you know if the
> dealers carry them
>
> Any input is appreciated.
>
> TIA,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver with screwed up instrument light fixtures
>