Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

INSTRUMENT PANEL

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Fig. 1:

2. Remove instrument panel center bezel (Fig. 1). Disconnect the cigar lighter, power window switch, and rear window defogger switch (if equipped) wire connectors.

Fig. 2:

3. Remove knee blocker right and left sides (Fig. 2).
4. Remove headlamp switch knob. Using a stiff wire or a small tool, insert it into the hole at the bottom of the knob. Pushing up with the tool and gently pull rearward till the lock tab releases the knob. Remove knob. Use care not to break the locking tab.
5. Remove the steering column shroud.
6. Remove steering column.
a. Remove left steel plate assembly.
b. Remove lower coupler bolt, in the engine compartment.
c. Remove toe plate bolts.
d. Remove upper mounting bolts.
e. Disconnect all wire connectors. CD Remove column.

7. Remove gear shift handle. Remove tunnel trim bezel for clearance when removing instrument panel.
8. Remove instrument panel bezel (Fig. 2).
9. Remove six screws securing the instrument panel at the fence line and two nuts attaching in center of panel.
10. Lift upward on instrument panel to clear and pull the instrument panel back to allow hands in the front of panel.
11. Disconnect wiring connectors.
a. Body wiring connectors.
b. Brake light switch, and bulk head wiring connectors.
c. Blower motor lead connection.
d. Temperature control cable from the heater unit.
e. Vacuum lines from the heater control assembly.

12. Remove the Passenger Airbag.
13. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
14. Remove instrument panel wiring.
15. Remove gauges and message center.
16. Remove radio and heater control.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the radio and heater control.
2. Install the gauges and message center.
3. Connect the instrument panel wiring.
4. Position the instrument panel in the vehicle.
5. Install the passenger airbag.
6. Connect the wire and vacuum harnesses.
7. Connect the temperature cable.
8. Install the six screws and two nuts attaching the instrument panel to the cowl.
9. Install the instrument panel bezel.
10. Install the tunnel trim bezel.
11. Install the gear shift handle.
12. Install the steering column assembly.
13. Install the steering column shroud.
14. Install the headlamp switch knob by pushing all the way into the headlamp switch.
15. Connect the cigar lighter, defogger switch, and power window switch.
16. Install the Instrument panel center bezel.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE REFER TO ELECTRICAL, RESTRAINTS, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG SYSTEM FIRST.