Dash Panel Service

Fig. 1 Upper Trim Panel Removal:

Fig. 2 Cluster Trim Panel Removal:

Fig. 3 Instrument Cluster Removal:

Fig. 4 Steering Column Filler Panel Removal:

1. Disable airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable, then remove left and right end cap assembly by removing end cap attachment screw and pulling out board to disconnect retainer clips.
3. On 1991 models, remove cigar lighter trim bezel.
4. On all models, remove left and right lower trim panel extensions by disconnecting lower velcro fasteners and pulling out at upper clip locations.
5. Carefully remove center air outlet/trim panel by pulling outward at clip locations. Start at bottom and work up. Do not use instruments that may damage trim panel.
6. Remove trim panel extension strip by pulling outward at clip locations.
7. Remove upper trim panel screw caps by carefully prying with a small screwdriver, then remove upper trim panel screws.
8. Lift upper trim panel to disengage clips at rear edge, Fig. 1.
9. Remove upper trim panel by pulling rearward out of clips at bottom of windshield.
10. Remove screws and pull cluster trim panel rearward to disengage retainers, Fig. 2.
11. Remove connector position assurance (CPA) devices and disconnect electrical connectors from instrument panel lighting rheostat and rear window defrost switches. Remove cluster trim panel.
12. Remove screws and pull instrument panel cluster out enough to disconnect electrical connectors.
13. Disconnect electrical connector by depressing retainer legs. Fig. 3. Remove instrument cluster.
14. Remove wiring harness clips from dash reinforcement.
15. Loosen screws and remove assembly line diagnostic link connector.
16. Loosen screws and remove steering column filler panel, Fig. 4.
17. Remove hood release lever screw.
18. Remove radio and HVAC dash control assembly.
19. Disconnect cigarette lighter electrical connector.
20. Remove cigarette lighter bulb holder by rotating counterclockwise and pulling straight out.
21. Apply parking brake, then remove parking brake filler panel by carefully lifting at rear edge.
22. On models with manual transaxles, remove gear selector knob by pulling straight up.
23. On models with automatic transaxles, move gear selector to No. 2 position.
24. On models with power windows, remove ashtray and disconnect ashtray bulb holder.
25. Remove window/mirror switch by sliding switch forward, then lifting rear edge.
26. On models with standard windows, remove connector position assurance (CPA) devices and disconnect window/mirror electrical connectors, then remove console.

Fig. 5 Instrument Panel Junction Block:

Fig. 6 Two-way Instrument Panel Connector:

Fig. 7 Floor Shifter Bracket Removal:

Fig. 8 Instrument Panel & Reinforcement Bracket Screw Locations:

27. On all models, loosen screws and remove instrument panel junction block from dash reinforcement, Fig. 5.
28. Remove ground wire from dash reinforcement, then loosen screw and remove rear electrical connector from instrument panel fuse block.
29. Remove CPA device and disconnect two-way instrument panel to body harness connector, Fig. 6.
30. Remove wire harness and antenna hold-down clips from instrument panel reinforcement.
31. Loosen floor shifter assembly. Remove two nuts, lift lower reinforcement bracket off of studs and slide bracket rearward, Fig. 7.
32. Loosen mounting nuts and lower cruise control module, if equipped.
33. Remove screws and nuts from instrument panel retainer and reinforcement bracket, Fig. 8.
34. Remove bolts and lower steering column assembly onto front seat.
35. Carefully remove instrument panel/retainer assembly.
36. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Feed fuse block and wire harness through lower reinforcement and into position.
b. Torque steering column retaining bolts to 26 ft. lbs.
c. Rearm airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.