95RunnerSR5

alright so i got my new 3vze in sunday night and it cranked right up.(oregon engine rebuilders) but when i looked on the dash the temp gauge still didn't work. it didnt work before the swap either. i ran the test on the sending unit and its not the sending unit so its either the gauge or a faulty connection...either way i need help. i tried to take the black cover off the dash right above the steering wheel that houses the upper driverside and center vents, and it came off fairly easy until i got to the bottom right corner of it. there was something holding it in but i couldnt see any clips or screws on it...any help would be great, also i wasn't able to muscle it out