Lower Instrument Panel

INSIDE HOOD RELEASE BRACKET

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (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.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover Replacement. Steering Column Trim/Bracket Replacement

Fig. 17 Steering Column Opening Cover:

3. Remove the two screws that secure the inside hood release handle to the inside hood release bracket and lower the release handle to the floor (Fig. 17).
4. Depress the latch tabs that secure the 16-way data link connector to the inside hood release bracket, and push the connector out of its mounting hole.

Fig. 18 Inside Hood Release Bracket:

5. Remove the two screws that secure the inside hood release bracket to the instrument panel structural support (Fig. 18).
6. Remove the inside hood release bracket from the instrument panel structural support.

INSTALLATION

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR- BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (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.

Fig. 18 Inside Hood Release Bracket:

1. Position the inside hood release bracket onto the instrument panel structural support (Fig. 18).
2. Installthe two screws that secure the inside hood release bracket to the instrument panel structural support.
3. Install the 16-way data link connector into the mounting hole on the inside hood release bracket.
4. Position the inside hood release handle to the instrument panel lower reinforcement.
5. Install the two screws that secure the inside hood release handle to the inside hood release bracket.
6. Install the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover Replacement. Steering Column Trim/Bracket Replacement
7. Connect the battery negative cable.