Heater Core: Service and Repair

Fig. 14 Instrument Panel Assembly:

Fig. 15 Instrument Panel Attachments:

Fig. 16 Main Air Duct & Heater Case Attachments, Less Air Conditioning:

LESS AIR CONDITIONING

To replace the heater core, it will be necessary to remove the entire instrument panel, Fig. 14.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering column.
3. Remove instrument cluster.
4. Remove floor console.
5. Remove hood release handle.
6. Remove ash tray and the cigar lighter assembly.
7. Remove left and right console kick panels.
8. Remove right and left instrument panel dash side covers.
9. Remove heater or A/C control panel.
10. Remove radio.
11. Remove trip computer.
12. Remove access cover to reach the center instrument panel dash mounting nut, then the nut, Fig. 15.
13. Remove eight remaining instrument panel mounting bolts, then the instrument panel, Fig. 15.
14. Drain cooling system.
15. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core. Plug core tubes and heater hoses to prevent coolant spillage into passenger compartment.
16. Remove main air duct, Fig. 16.
17. Remove heater case mounting nuts, Fig. 16, then pull heater case straight out. Use caution not to bend core tubes.
18. Remove two heater core tube braces to heater case attaching screws, then the braces.
19. Remove heater core from case by lifting straight up.
20. Reverse procedure to install.

Fig. 17 Evaporator Case Assembly:

Fig. 18 Heater Case Attachments, With Air Conditioning:

WITH AIR CONDITIONING

To replace the heater core, it will be necessary to remove the entire instrument panel, Fig. 14.
1. Perform steps 1 through 15 as outlined for models LESS AIR CONDITIONING.
2. Discharge refrigerant from A/C system.
3. Remove charcoal canister from vehicle.
4. Disconnect refrigerant lines from evaporator. Plug evaporator and lines to prevent entry of dirt and moisture.
5. Disconnect the A/C relay electrical connectors from top of evaporator case.
6. Remove air duct bands, Fig. 17.
7. Remove evaporator case attaching nuts, Fig. 17, then the evaporator case from vehicle.
8. Remove three heater case mounting nuts, Fig. 18, then pull heater case straight out. Use caution not to bend core tubes.
9. Remove two heater core tube braces to heater case attaching screws, then the braces.
10. Remove heater core from case by lifting straight up.
11. Reverse procedure to install.