Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Finish Panels:

Instrument Panel Assembly:

NOTE: Removal and installation of the instrument panel is best accomplished by two people.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove two retaining screws at bottom of steering column opening and snap column cover out.
3. Remove steering column trim shrouds. Disconnect all electrical connections from steering column switches.
4. Remove snap-in lower cluster finish panel(s) (Hi-series one piece, Low series two pieces) to expose two screws and two bolts.
5. Remove four cluster opening finish panel retaining screws and pull panel rearward.
6. Remove four retaining bolts (two at top and two at bottom) to remove column opening reinforcement.
7. Disconnect speedometer cable at transaxle.
8. Remove four screws retaining cluster and carefully pull rearward enough to disengage speedometer cable. Loosely install two screws to retain cluster during instrument panel removal.
9. Remove one bolt and nut at lock collar U-joint and four screws at steering column bracket to remove steering column.
10. Open glove compartment and depress sides of bin, allowing stops to move beyond instrument panel walls. The door/bin will now fall to the vertical.
11. Using steering column, cluster and glove compartment openings, and by reaching under instrument panel, disconnect all electrical connections, vacuum hoses, heater-A/C control cables, and radio antenna cable.
12. Disconnect all underhood electrical connectors of main wire loom. Disengage rubber grommet from dash panel and push wire and connectors into instrument panel area.
13. Remove one instrument panel-to-steering column support bracket retaining nut, accessible through steering column opening.
14. Remove two lower instrument panel-to-cowl side retaining screws (RH and LH side).
15. Remove two instrument panel vertical brace retaining nuts located on LH side of instrument panel storage compartment.
16. Remove four instrument panel cowl top retaining screws. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
17. With instrument panel removed from vehicle, transfer all attaching components to new instrument panel (heater-A/C ducts, all switches, main wire loom, glove compartment door, etc).

INSTALLATION
1. While holding instrument panel close to its installed position, push instrument wiring harness and connectors through dash panel into engine compartment. Install grommet in dash panel.
2. Using steering column and glove compartment openings, connect all electrical connections, vacuum hoses, heater-A/C control cables, and radio antenna cable.
3. Position instrument panel with stud through steering column reinforcement. Install four upper panel retaining screws. Tighten to 1.4-2.3 Nm (12-20 lb-in).
4. Install instrument panel vertical brace retaining nuts, accessible through glove compartment opening. Tighten to 6.8-10.8 Nm (5-8 lb-ft).
5. Install two lower instrument panel-to-side cowl retaining screws. Tighten to 6.8-10.8 Nm (5-8 lb-ft).
6. Install instrument panel-to-steering column support bracket retaining nut. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (3-4 lb-ft).
7. From inside engine compartment, connect instrument panel wiring connectors to engine compartment wiring.
8. Install glove compartment door/bin by depressing stops and pushing inward until they clear instrument panel walls, then release stops.
9. Connect speedometer cable to speedometer head. Install four screws retaining cluster. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (35-53 lb-in).
10. Install instrument cluster finish panel in position. Install four retaining screws. Tighten to 2.0-2.9 Nm (18-25 lb-in).
11. Raise steering column into position. Install four retaining screws at support bracket and one nut and bolt at locking collar U-joint.
12. Connect all electrical connections to steering column switches. Install steering column trim shrouds.
13. Install steering column opening reinforcement and four attaching bolts. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (35-53 lb-in).
14. Install instrument cluster lower finish panel(s) (Hi-series one piece, Low-series two pieces) by snapping in place.
15. Position steering column cover to instrument panel and snap in top retainer clips. Install two retaining screws. Tighten to 2.0-2.9 Nm (18-25 lb-in).
16. Connect battery ground cable.
17. Connect speedometer cable to transaxle.