Upper Instrument Panel

WARNING: DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. THIS WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR 2 MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING ANY AIRBAG COMPONENTS.

When removing a passenger airbag module. Refer to Restraint Systems/ Air bag Systems. Air Bag Systems

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.






2. Open both vehicle doors and remove both instrument panel end covers.

3. Remove floor console and cowl side trim panels if equipped. If not, remove instrument panel lower center cover and ash receiver assembly.

4. Remove screw at radio ground strap at side of center support bracket. Proper Routing Of Radio Ground Strap Is Essential For Radio Performance.

5. Open glove box door to gain access to the four screws attaching lower instrument panel to module bracket. Remove screws. The New Yorker has six screws.

6. Remove two screws from center outlet bezel opening and two screws from right bezel opening. The New Yorker has only one screw from outlet bezel opening.

7. Remove screw from each end cover area of instrument panel. The New Yorker has no screws.











8. Remove two screws at each end of instrument panel at cowl sides, then detach lower instrument panel from upper instrument panel, with column in tilt-up position.

9. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:

- Trunk Release Switch

- Glove box Light Switch

- Radio/Antenna Connectors

- Heater-A/C Connectors

- Ash Receiver Light

10. Remove lower instrument panel assembly.

11. Remove left silencer/duct under instrument panel.






12. Remove instrument panel top cover, right and left A-pillar trim panels.

13. Remove body control module at right end of instrument panel.

14. Remove left outlet duct.

15. Remove steering column shrouds and disconnect six electrical connectors. Slide wiring trough retainer off of trough and stow wiring away from steering column.

16. Loosen the two lower screws and remove two upper nuts on steering column assembly and lay column on floor.

17. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:

- Power antenna and cable at right cowl side

- Body wiring at right end of A/C unit

- Three ATC unit connectors at center of unit

- Ground wire at left of center support

- Data link connector at left brace

- Two airbag diagnostic module connectors

- Three in-line bracket connector including 40-way jack screw and remove hazard relay.

- Four outboard connectors to junction block.

- Headliner connector at top of panel.






18. Remove the two panel attaching bolts at each cowl side and one bolt from center support bracket. Remove the five panel attaching bolts along top of panel.

19. Then remove the upper instrument panel rearward off of lower attaching studs.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the NEW center distribution duct to the NEW instrument panel and pad assembly.

2. Install all instrument panel components which are not damaged to panel. Tighten screws to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs.) torque.

3. Install the passenger airbag module to instrument panel and pad assembly. Tighten screws to 4 Nm (35 in. lbs.) torque.

4. For installation of the upper and lower instrument panels, reverse above procedures.

a. When installing the lower instrument panel to the upper instrument panel install the center two screws first and work from center out. Tighten screws to 3 Nm (25 in. lbs.) torque.

b. Open glove box to gain access to the screws attaching lower instrument panel to module bracket. Tighten screws to 3 Nm (25 in. lbs.) torque.

c. DO NOT CONNECT battery negative cable. Refer to Restraint Systems/ Air Bag Systems/ Service and Repair, for proper procedure. Service and Repair