Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Fig. 52 Exploded View Instrument Panel:

1. Disarm airbag as described under "Airbag System Disarming."
2. Remove two airbag fuses, then open doors and remove right and left end covers.
3. On models with floor console, remove floor console as follows:
a. Place gear selector in Neutral position, the loosen setscrew holding gear shift knob to gear shift.
b. Pull gear shift knob from gear shift, then rubber molding from gap at top of console, if equipped.
c. Remove ashtray, then console bezel retaining screw.
d. Disengage clips holding rear of bezel to center console, then remove console bezel.
e. Remove retaining screws from forward crossmember to floor mounting bracket.
f. Remove retaining screws from bottom of glove compartment to rear mounting bracket.
g. Remove console from vehicle.
4. On models less floor console, remove instrument panel lower center cover and ashtray.
5. On all models, remove radio ground strap screw at side of center support bracket. Proper routing of radio ground strap is necessary for radio operation.
6. Open glovebox door, flex sides of glovebox inward to swing glovebox door down to floor. Remove mounting bolts from top of glovebox.
7. Remove two nuts from center support bracket at ashtray support.
8. Remove mounting screws from center outlet bezel opening and right bezel opening.
9. Remove mounting screw from end cover area of instrument panel, if equipped.
10. With steering column in upward tilt position, remove two screws at ends of instrument panel (cowl sides), then detach lower instrument panel from upper instrument panel.
11. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:
a. Trunk release and glovebox light switches.
b. Radio/antenna connectors.
c. Heater-A/C and cigar lighter connectors.
d. Ashtray light.
12. Remove left under instrument panel silencer/duct as follows:
a. Remove push in fastener under left end of instrument panel.
b. Pull silencer/duct off brake bracket stud and center floor distribution duct.
13. Remove instrument panel top cover as follows:
a. Pry up each end of top cover, disengaging clip.
b. Using straightedge tool along rear edge, lift rear edge of top cover and slide top cover rearward disengaging clips.
14. Remove A pillar trim panels, then the body controller module at right end of instrument panel.
15. Remove two impact brackets from steering column, then the left outlet duct.
16. Remove steering column shrouds, then disconnect six electrical connectors. Slide wiring trough retainer off trough. Position wiring aside.
17. Loosen two lower screws and remove two upper nuts on steering column assembly. Position column on floor.
18. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:
a. Power antenna and cable at right cowl side.
b. Body wiring at right end of A/C unit.
c. Three ATC unit connectors at center of unit.
d. Ground wire at left of center support.
e. DRB II connector at left brace.
f. Two airbag diagnostic module connectors.
g. Three inline bracket connectors including 40-way jack screw, then remove hazard relay.
h. Four outboard connector to junction block.
i. Headliner connector at top of panel.
19. Remove upper instrument panel attaching bolts. Two bolts at each cowl side and five bolts along top of panel.
20. Lift upper instrument panel rearward off lower attaching studs. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
21. Reverse procedure to install.