Dash Panel Service

Fig. 161 I/P Trim Plate Removal:

Fig. 162 I/P Pad Removal:

Fig. 163 Removing Steering Column Filler & Reinforcement Panels:

Fig. 164 Removing I/P Hush Panels:

1. Disable airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. If equipped with tilt wheel steering, move wheel to the lowest position.
4. Move shift lever to the 1 position.
5. Pry lightly around perimeter of instrument panel trim plate, and remove trim plate, Fig. 161.
6. Remove speaker, side defogger and defroster grilles by carefully prying around perimeter of grille.
7. Remove speaker retaining screws, disconnect electrical connectors, then remove speakers.
8. Remove instrument panel pad attaching screws, then the pad, Fig. 162.
9. Remove instrument cluster attaching screws, then disconnect the PRNDL indicator cable from steering column bowl and remove cluster.
10. Remove steering column filler and reinforcement panels, Fig. 163.
11. Remove electronic brake control module.
12. Remove left and right side hush panels, Fig. 164.
13. Remove headlamp/twilight sentinel/instrument panel dimmer control.
14. Remove radio and HVAC control unit.
15. Remove glove box/door assembly.
16. Reaching through glove box opening, disconnect deck lid, fuel door and glove box lamp switch electrical connectors.
17. Disconnect electrical connector from instrument panel dimmer module.
18. Remove screws attaching ALDL connector to instrument panel.
19. Disconnect wires to cigarette lighter, then remove ashtray.
20. Remove screws attaching ashtray slide to instrument panel, unsnap ashtray lamp/socket assembly from slide and remove slide.
21. Disconnect parking brake release handle cable from release mechanism on pedal assembly. Pop release cable grommet from parking brake pedal bracket.
22. Pushing up on lower fuse block release tab, push fuse panel behind instrument panel.
23. Remove screw attaching instrument panel to panel stiffener rod, located on the right side of steering column.

Fig. 165 Removing I/P:

Fig. 166 I/P Wiring Right Side:

Fig. 167 I/P Wiring Left Side:

24. Remove instrument panel to instrument panel center support screw, Fig. 165.
25. Remove all other instrument panel attaching screws shown in Fig. 165.
26. Disengage cluster connectors from instrument panel by using a small screwdriver to push locking tangs from holes in instrument panel.
27. Slide wiring conduit just above steering column upward to disengage tabs from instrument panel, then push behind instrument panel.
28. Remove bolts holding steering column to column support.
29. Remove bolts holding metal instrument panel bracket to steering column support.
30. Disconnect side defogger hoses from instrument panel outlet connections.
31. Remove harness retaining clips from various points on metal instrument panel bracket, Figs. 166 and 167.
32. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
33. Reverse procedure to install.
34. Reactivate airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.