Removal and Installation

NOTE: Removal and installation of the instrument panel is best accomplished by two people.

Removal and Installation

WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT NECESSARY FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT IS POWERED DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY AND BACK-UP POWER SUPPLY. TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY, THE BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE MUST BE GROUNDED FOR ONE MINUTE TO DE-ENERGIZE THE BACK-UP POWER SUPPLY PRIOR TO SERVICING OR REPLACING ANY AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS.





1. Disconnect positive battery cable. Ground positive battery cable for one minute to de-energize the air bag system back-up power supply.





2. Loosen main wire harness connector bolt in engine compartment at LH side of dash panel.

NOTE: Do not remove front safety belt retaining bolts.





3. Remove three screws retaining the LH and RH front door scuff plates. Lift front door scuff plates and remove front door weatherstrip from body flanges.





4. Remove LH and RH roof side inner front moulding retained by press-in clips.


5. Remove instrument panel defroster opening grille by lifting rear edge upward to unsnap eight retainers and two retainers at each front corner. Disconnect light sensor amplifier at connector. Remove instrument panel defroster opening grille.
6. Remove screws retaining LH and RH instrument panel lower insulator under instrument panel.
7. Rotate lamp from instrument panel insulator and remove instrument panel insulator.
8. Remove LH cowl side trim panel and RH cowl side trim panel.
9. Remove console panel.
10. Remove A/C evaporator register duct from instrument panel to console panel.





11. Remove ignition/shifter interlock cable from console panel. Release ignition/shifter interlock cable from pawl. Pull out on center tab to release detent on clip. Push ignition/shifter interlock cable clip toward rear while rotating clip to passenger side to remove.





12. Remove two screws retaining bottom of instrument panel steering column cover. Pull on lower edge of instrument panel steering column cover to disengage two push clips on upper area of instrument panel steering column cover and remove instrument panel steering column cover.
13. Remove two screws retaining instrument panel reinforcement and remove instrument panel reinforcement.









14. Remove A/C recirculating air duct from below steering column tube.
15. Cover seat to protect from damage. Remove four nuts retaining steering column tube to steering column bracket insulator. Lower steering column tube to rest on the seat cushion.





16. Remove steering column shroud.
17. Disconnect all electrical connections from the steering column switches.





18. Loosen screw and disconnect main wiring at connector located left of steering column tube.
19. Disconnect the engine control sensor wiring from the instrument panel at connectors.





20. Open glove compartment door and disconnect glove compartment door check from RH side. Push sides of glove compartment inward to release stops and lower glove compartment door downward.

NOTE: Glove compartment door check will retract when removed from glove compartment side.









21. Disconnect radio antenna lead in cable from radio chassis. Disconnect any vacuum hoses attached to instrument panel.
22. Disconnect automatic temperature control sensor and wiring harness from instrument panel A/C evaporator housing area.
23. Remove two nuts retaining the center of instrument panel to floor tunnel mounting bracket.
24. Remove one nut retaining lower RH instrument panel to cowl.
25. Remove one nut retaining lower LH instrument panel to cowl and one retaining parking brake to half car beam.
26. Remove six bolts retaining the top front of instrument panel.

NOTE: Two technicians are required for removal of instrument panel from the vehicle.





27. Carefully pull instrument panel away from windshield glass, disengage nine retainers at top edge of instrument panel and remove instrument panel.
28. If instrument panel is being replaced, transfer all components, wiring and retaining hardware to new instrument panel, if necessary.

NOTE: When installing steering column tube to steering column bracket insulator bracket, tighten the four retaining nuts to 21-28 N.m (16-20 lb-ft).

29. To install, reverse Removal procedure. After installing instrument panel defroster opening grille, check all components to ensure proper operation.