Instrument Panel Assembly Replacement

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
3. Remove the engine cover, driver side front seat, driver side step sill trim and driver side cowl side trim from the passenger compartment.
4. Remove the end caps from the instrument panel. See Instrument Panel End Cap Replacement for the procedures.
5. Remove the top cover from the instrument panel. See Instrument Panel Top Cover Replacement.
6. Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel. See Knee Blocker Replacement.
7. Roll down the glove box from the instrument panel. See Glove Box - Roll Down Replacement.
8. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
9. From under the driver side of the instrument panel:
a. Unplug the wire harness connector secured to the outboard side of the bulkhead wire harness connector.
b. Remove the screw in the center of the instrument panel to bulkhead wire harness connector and unplug the connector.
c. Unplug the wire harness connector from the airbag control module located on the front floor panel under the driver side front seat.
d. Lift the covering (carpet or mat) on the driver side front floor far enough to access and disengage the airbag control module wire harness from the trough on the floor panel.
10. From under the center of the instrument panel above the dash panel engine housing extension unplug the heater and air conditioner vacuum harness connector.
11. Reach through and above the outboard side of the instrument panel glove box opening to disconnect the instrument panel-to-door and instrument panel- to-body wire harness connectors.
12. Disconnect the radio antenna coaxial cable connector on the passenger side end bracket of the instrument panel. Refer to Antenna in Accessories and Optional Equipment/Radio, Stereo and Compact Disc/Audio Systems for the procedures.

Instrument Panel Assembly Remove/Install:

13. Remove the four screws that secure the upper right and left instrument panel end brackets to the A-pillars.
14. Remove the two screws that secure the lower right and left instrument panel end brackets to the cowl side inner panels.
15. Loosen the two nuts that secure the instrument panel right and left center support brackets to the studs on the dash panel engine housing extension.
16. Remove the five screws that secure the top of the instrument panel to the top of the dash panel, removing the center screw last.
17. With the aid of an assistant, lift the instrument panel assembly off of the studs on the dash panel engine cover extension and remove it from the vehicle.
18. Reverse the removal procedures to install. Tighten the mounting hardware as follows:
- Instrument panel top to dash pane] screws - 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.)
- Instrument panel end bracket to A-pillar screws 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.)
- Instrument panel end bracket Lo cowl side screws - 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.)
- Instrument panel center support bracket nuts - 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.).