FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Instrument Panel - Removal






REMOVAL

Special Tools:






WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with air bags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, never strike or drop the occupant restraint controller, as it can damage the impact sensor or affect its calibration. The occupant restraint controller contains the impact sensor, which enables the system to deploy the supplemental restraints. If an airbag control module is accidentally dropped during service, the module must be scrapped and replaced with a new unit. Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental, incomplete, or improper supplemental restraint deployment.

CAUTION: On vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), never replace both the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) at the same time. If both require replacement, replace one. Then perform the supplemental restraint verification test before replacing the other. Both the ORC and the OCM store OCS calibration data, which they transfer to one another when one of them is replaced. If both are replaced at the same time, an irreversible fault will be set in both modules.





1. Before proceeding with the following repair procedure, review all warnings and cautions.
2. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable.
3. Using or equivalent (1), gently pry between the end cap (1) and the instrument panel to release the snap retainers that secure the end cap. Repeat on opposite side.





4. Remove the hood release handle (2) from the knee blocker trim (1) by pushing down to disengage and then pulling rearward on the handle.






NOTE: Steering wheel removed for clarity.

5. Remove the two side screws (3) and the lower screw (1) securing the knee blocker trim (2) to the instrument panel.
6. Using or equivalent (1), partially remove the upper portion of the knee blocker trim (2) by gently prying between the knee blocker trim (2) and the instrument panel to release the upper snap retainers. Do not remove the knee blocker trim or pull with excessive force.
7. Disconnect the in-car temperature sensor.





8. Disconnect the light switch harnesses (1, 2 & 3) from the switch and finish removing the knee blocker trim.
9. Remove the steering column assembly, Steering Column - Removal.





10. Remove the A-pillar trim panels, A-Pillar Trim Panel - Removal.





11. Disconnect the wire harness connectors (1) located on the A-pillar, repeat on opposite side.





12. Using or equivalent (1), gently pry between the defroster grille (1) and the instrument panel to release the snap retainers that secure the defroster grille.





13. Remove the lower portion of the door weatherstrip.
14. Using or equivalent (1), remove the door scuff plate (1). Repeat on opposite side.





15. Disconnect the LED harness (1) and remove the left side instrument panel silencers (2, 3), Silencer Panel - Removal.





16. Disconnect the LED harness (1) and remove the right side instrument panel silencer (2), Silencer Panel - Removal.





17. Remove the glove box door (3).
18. Remove the two side screws (2) from the glove box compartment (1).
19. Remove the six screws from the glove box compartment (1).
20. Disconnect the wiring harness and remove the glove box compartment (1).





21. Using or equivalent (1), gently pry between the instrument cluster bezel hood (1) and the instrument panel to release the snap retainers that secure the bezel hood.





22. Remove the AC/heater control faceplate (2) from the I/P, Instrument Cluster Switch Pod - Removal.






NOTE: The telematics gateway mounting fasteners also secure the bottom portion of the center trim bezel.

23. Remove and disconnect the telematics gateway assembly (1), Telematics Gateway Module - Removal.





24. Using or equivalent, remove the center bezel (1) from the instrument panel by releasing the snap retainers from the instrument panel.





25. Disconnect the harness connectors (2, 3 & 4) from the rear of the display screen (1).
26. Remove the instrument cluster from the vehicle,Instrument Cluster - Removal.





27. Remove the floor console, Floor Console - Removal.
28. Disconnect the occupant restraint module harnesses (1 & 2).





29. Remove the lower I/P to floor pan bracket bolts (1).





30. Disconnect the HVAC and antenna harnesses (1, 2, 3).





31. Disconnect the bulkhead harness (1) on the right hand side of the vehicle.
32. Disconnect the harnesses (2 & 3) from the vehicle control module.





33. Disconnect the bulkhead harness (1) on the left hand side of the vehicle.





34. Remove the five upper bolts (2, 3).
35. Remove the three side bolts (5), repeat for the opposite side.
36. With the help of an assistant, remove the instrument panel by lifting up and out.
37. If required, remove the spring nuts (1) from the dash panel.