Instrument Panel - Removal

REMOVAL

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.

NOTE: Left hand drive shown. Right hand drive similar.

NOTE: Side airbag equipped model shown in illustration. Other models similar.





1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the instrument panel center bezel Instrument Panel Center Bezel - Removal.
3. Remove the floor center console Center Console - Removal.
4. Remove the floor distribution ducts as required to gain access to the instrument panel wire harness connections at the floor console area Floor Ducts - Removal.
5. Disconnect the wiring connectors for the power outlet (1), gearshift assembly (3), ground wire (4), side airbag controller (5), body wire harness (6) and radio amplifier (7), as equipped.
6. Disengage the wire harness retainers (2) from the floor and console brackets and position the instrument panel wire harness leads (8) out of the way.




NOTE: Illustration shown with instrument panel removed for clarity.

7. Remove driver side A-pillar trim panel A-Pillar Trim Panel-Removal.

CAUTION: Lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. This will prevent clockspring damage by preventing the steering wheel from rotating freely.

8. Remove the steering column Steering Column - Removal.
9. Remove the driver side cowl trim panel Cowl Trim - Removal.
10. Disconnect the wire harness connectors for the driver door harness (1), two main instrument panel connectors (3) and the driver side body harness (4).
11. Remove the data link connector (DLC) (5) from its mounting bracket (6) and disengage the two wire harness retainers (2) from the side cowl panel.




NOTE: LH side shown in illustration. RH side similar.

12. Remove the push-pin retainer that secures the carpeting to each side of the floor bracket (1) located below the center of the instrument panel.
13. Reposition the carpet and remove the two bolts (3) that secure each side of the center instrument panel support (2) to the floor bracket (1)




NOTE: Illustration shown with instrument panel removed for clarity.

14. Remove the passenger side A-pillar trim panel A-Pillar Trim Panel-Removal.
15. Remove the glove box bin Instrument Panel Glove Box - Removal.
16. Remove the passenger side instrument panel silencer Silencer Panel - Removal.
17. Remove the passenger side cowl trim panel Cowl Trim - Removal.
18. Disconnect the wire harness connectors for the recirculation door actuator (1), blower motor (2), passenger side body harness (4), radio coax (5) and passenger door harness (6).
19. Disengage the wire harness retainer (3) from the side cowl panel.




20. Reach through the steering column opening and remove the two bolts (3) that secure the instrument panel support bracket (2) to the driver side of the dash panel (1).




21. Remove the instrument panel top cover Instrument Panel Cover - Removal.
22. Remove the four bolts (2) that secure the top of the instrument panel (1) to the dash panel.




23. Remove the end caps from both ends of the instrument panel Instrument Panel End Cap - Removal.
24. Remove the two bolts (4) and one nut (3) that secure the instrument panel support (2) to each side of the cowl panel (1) and with the help of an assistant, carefully remove the instrument panel (5) from the vehicle.