Instrument Panel System

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 Instrument Panel:

The instrument panel is located at the front of the passenger compartment (Fig. 1). This instrument panel is molded from a blend of various plastics that are mechanically attached to the vehicle. Colors are molded into the plastic components to minimize appearance degradation from scratches or abrasions. The panel components are internally ribbed and riveted to steel reinforcements for additional structural integrity and dimensional stability. The instrument panel surface components are designed to deform upon impact without breaking. This type of construction provides improved energy absorption which, in conjunction with the dual airbags and seat belts, helps to improve occupant protection.

The instrument panel for this vehicle includes the following major features:
- Cluster Bezel - This molded plastic bezel is secured with two screws and snap clips to the instrument panel supporting structure. It trims out the edges of the headlamp switch, instrument cluster, radio, heater-air conditioner controls, the passenger airbag on-off switch or rear window defogger switch on vehicles so equipped, and the 4WD transfer case switch on vehicles so equipped. On vehicles without the passenger airbag on-off switch or rear window defogger switch, a small storage cubby bin is provided in the cluster bezel. Likewise, on vehicles without the optional four-wheel drive system, a small storage cubby bin is provided in the cluster bezel. This bezel also incorporates five completely adjustable panel outlets for the climate control system, and fills the opening between the instrument cluster and the top of the steering column where it passes through the instrument panel.

- End Caps - A molded plastic end cap is secured with snap clips to each outboard end of the instrument panel. The end cap on the right end of the instrument panel is primarily cosmetic. The end cap on the left end of the instrument panel doubles as a fuse access panel for the Junction Block (JB) and features an integral pull cup on its outer surface to ease removal, while a fuse layout map, a fuse puller and spare fuses are conveniently concealed on its inner surface.

- Glove Box - The modular glove box in the passenger side of the instrument panel features a recessed paddle-operated latch handle, a storage bin- type glove box, and a fixed owner's manual shelf at the top of the glove box opening. A metal hinge on the lower edge of the glove box door is riveted to the module and secured with screws to the lower edge of the instrument panel support structure. The glove box door also serves as the passenger side knee blocker. A honeycomb structure between the inner and outer glove box door panels helps to absorb the impact load and distribute it to the instrument panel structure.

- Lower Bezel - The instrument panel lower bezel is located on the lower edge of the instrument panel, near the center. This bezel features an ash receiver with a hinged door that is secured with a push/push-type latch and an integral cigar lighter, an accessory power outlet, and a center stack light that illuminates the storage tray at the front of the center floor console on the floor panel transmission tunnel below.

- Steering Column Opening Cover - The steering column opening cover serves as the driver side knee blocker. This molded plastic cover has an integral ribbed plastic liner concealed behind it, for increased strength and integrity. The steering column opening cover transfers impact loads to the instrument panel structural support. A paddle-type parking brake release handle is also incorporated in the lower left corner of the steering column opening cover.

- Top Cover - The instrument panel top cover is the molded, grained, and color impregnated plastic panel that forms the top of the instrument panel. This panel features an integral hood formation over the instrument cluster on the left side and two integral storage tray formations over the right side. A removable side window demister outlet is incorporated near each outboard end of the top cover.

Hard wired circuitry connects the electrical components on the instrument panel to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the instrument panel components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes complete circuit diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices, and grounds.

OPERATION
The instrument panel serves as the command center of the vehicle, which necessarily makes it a very complex unit. The instrument panel is designed to house the controls and monitors for standard and optional powertrains, climate control systems, audio systems, safety systems, and many other comfort or convenience items. When the components of the instrument panel structural support are properly assembled and secured in the vehicle they provide superior instrument panel stiffness and integrity to help reduce buzzes, squeaks, and rattles. This type of construction also provides improved energy absorption which, in conjunction with the dual airbags and seat belts, helps to improve occupant protection.

The instrument panel is also designed so that all of the various controls can be safely reached and the monitors can be easily viewed by the vehicle operator when driving, while still allowing relative ease of access to each of these items for service. Modular instrument panel construction allows all of the gauges and controls to be serviced from the front of the panel. In addition, most of the instrument panel electrical components can be accessed without complete instrument panel removal. However, if necessary, the instrument panel can be removed from the vehicle as an assembly.

The steering column opening cover with its integral knee blocker located on the driver side of the instrument panel works in conjunction with the air-bag system in a frontal vehicle impact to keep the driver properly positioned for an airbag deployment. In addition, removal of this component provides access to the steering column mounts, the steering column wiring, the Junction Block (JB) (removal of a snap-fit end cap on the left outboard end of the instrument panel allows access to the fuses and circuit breakers), and much of the instrument panel wiring.

In a frontal collision, the glove box door on the passenger side of the instrument panel provides the same function for the front seat passenger as the knee blocker does for the driver. The glove box door also incorporates a recessed latch handle. Removal of the glove box provides access to the passenger airbag, the glove box lamp and switch, the radio antenna coaxial cable, and additional instrument panel wiring.

Removal of the instrument panel cluster bezel allows access to the headlamp switch, the instrument cluster; the radio, the passenger airbag on-off switch (if equipped), the rear window defogger switch (if equipped), the four-wheel drive transfer case switch (if equipped), and the heating and air conditioning control. Removal of the instrument cluster allows access to the cluster illumination and indicator bulbs, and more of the instrument panel wiring. Complete instrument panel removal is required for service of most components internal to the heating and air conditioning system housing, including the heater core and the evaporator.

See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of the components and systems mounted on or in the instrument panel.