Instrument Panel Assembly Replacement

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-BAGS, REFER TO AIRBAG AND SEAT BELTS/AIR BAGS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel. Service and Repair
3. Remove the steering column from the vehicle, but do not remove the driver side airbag module, the steering wheel, or the switches from the steering column. Be certain that the steering wheel is locked and secured from rotation to prevent the loss of clockspring centering. Service and Repair
4. From under the driver side of the instrument panel, perform the following:
a. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the 100-way wire harness connector near the left cowl side inner panel.
b. Disconnect the side window demister hose at the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct (driver side).
5. Remove the glove box from the instrument panel. Service and Repair
6. Reach through the instrument panel glove box opening to perform the following:
a. Disconnect the two halves of the heater-A/C system vacuum harness connector.
b. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the heater-A/C system wire harness connector.
c. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the passenger side airbag module wire harness connector.
d. Disconnect the side window demister hose at the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct (passenger side).
e. Disconnect the two halves of the radio antenna coaxial cable connector.
f. Disconnect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors from the passenger airbag on/off switch wire harness connectors.
g. Disengage the passenger side airbag on/off switch wire harness from the retainer clip on the plenum bracket that supports the heater-A/C housing just inboard of the fuseblock module.

Passenger Airbag Module Lower Bracket Nuts Remove/Install:

h. Remove the two nuts that secure the lower passenger side airbag module bracket to the studs on the dash panel.
7. Remove the top cover from the instrument panel. Instrument Panel Top Cover Replacement

Instrument Panel Assembly Remove/Install:

8. Remove the three screws that secure each end of the instrument panel to the door hinge pillars.
9. Remove the four nuts that secure the top of the instrument panel to the studs on the top of the dash panel.
10. With the aid of an assistant, lift the instrument panel assembly off of the dash panel studs and remove it from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. With the aid of an assistant, install the instrument panel assembly onto the dash panel studs in the vehicle.
2. Install and tighten the four nuts that secure the top of the instrument panel to the studs on the top of the dash panel. Tighten the nuts to 12 Nm (105 in. lbs.).
3. Install and tighten the three screws that secure each end of the instrument panel to the door hinge pillars. Tighten the screws to 12 Nm (105 in. lbs.).
4. Install the top cover onto the instrument panel. Instrument Panel Top Cover Replacement
5. Reach through the instrument panel glove box opening to perform the following:
a. Install and tighten the two nuts that secure the lower passenger side airbag module bracket to the studs on the dash panel. Tighten the nuts to 28 Nm (250 in. lbs.).
b. Engage the passenger side airbag on/off switch wire harness in the retainer clip on the plenum bracket that supports the heater-A/C housing just inboard of the fuseblock module.
c. Reconnect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors to the passenger airbag on/off switch wire harness connectors.
d. Reconnect the two halves of the radio antenna coaxial cable connector.
e. Reconnect the side window demister hose to the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct (passenger side).
f. Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the passenger side airbag module wire harness connector.
g. Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the heater-A/C system wire harness connector.
h. Reconnect the two halves of the heater-A/C system vacuum harness connector.
6. Install the glove box onto the instrument panel. Service and Repair
7. From under the driver side of the instrument panel, perform the following:
a. Reconnect the side window demister hose to the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct (driver side).
b. Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors to the 100-way wire harness connector near the left cowl side inner panel.
8. Install the steering column into the vehicle. Be certain that the steering wheel is locked and secured from rotation to prevent the loss of clockspring centering. Service and Repair
9. Install the knee blocker onto the instrument panel. Service and Repair
10. Reconnect the battery negative cable.