Right now I'm covered in grease, am pulling gravel out of my legs, and having no luck taking the dash out of my 1992 Protege.

I've taken an impressive amount off of the dash - possibly too much. My problem right now is the "bottom" light piece of the Dash. To open the front driver's side door and look to the left side (not the front) of the dash, two unique pieces can be seen.

It looks like I need to get the bottom section off in order to get the top section off. It also looks like the last screw to get the bottom section off is hidden behind the top section, which I can't get off because the bottom section can't come off. This is perpelexing.

Is there anyone who can help me find where I'm messing up, please?

I'm doing this because the AC button has shaken loose to the point that it won't turn on or off. Also, the speedometer has stopped working and the "Hold" light started flashing at the same time, just last evening. If these are things I can fix, then I'd like to try - but getting the dash off has so far proven to be confusing enough.

Getting the dash board off is almost impossible. If you want to replace the ac swtich, remove the small panel on the dashboard (driver's side). You will have to pry it open with a small flathead screwdriver. You will see one small screw holding the bezel. Also you will have to remove the small screws holding the inner bezel. These screws are above the instrument display. Then you will have to carefully but firmly pull out the entire bezel assembly. Be sure to remove the front and lower pieces of the ignition cover just behind the steering wheel and lower the wheel as far as you can. If you need more specific info, but the Haynes manual for this car. That was all i needed