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 Passenger Airbag Module Removal procedures. Refer to Restraint Systems/ Air bag Systems/ Service and Repair. Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Instrument Panel Components:

2. Open both vehicle doors and remove both instrument panel end covers. Instrument Panel End Covers - Left and Right Replacement
3. Remove the floor console and the cowl side trim panels if equipped. Refer to Body and Frame/ Interior Trim/ Console/ Service and Repair. If not equipped, remove the instrument panel lower center cover and the ash receiver assembly. Instrument Panel Lower Center Cover Removal For Ash Receiver R&R, refer to Body and Frame/ Interior Trim/ Ash Tray/ Service and Repair. Service and Repair
4. Remove the radio ground strap screw at the side of the center support bracket. Proper routing of radio ground strap is essential for the radio performance.
5. Open the glove box door to gain access to the four screws attaching the lower instrument panel to the module bracket and remove the screws. The LHS has six screws.
6. Remove the two screws from the center outlet bezel opening and the two screws from right bezel opening. The LHS has only one screw from the outlet bezel opening.
7. Remove the screw from each end cover area of instrument panel. The LHS has no screws.
8. Remove the two screws at each end of the instrument panel at cowl sides, then detach the lower instrument panel from the upper instrument panel, with the 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 the lower instrument panel assembly.
11. Remove the left silencer/duct under instrument panel. Left Under Silencer/ Duct Replacement

Top Cover:

12. Remove the instrument panel top cover, right and left A-pillar trim panels.
13. Remove Body Control Module at the right end of instrument panel. Refer to Powertrain Management/ Computers and Control Systems/ Body Control Module/ Service and Repair. Service and Repair
14. Remove the left outlet duct.

Column Shroud:

15. Remove the steering column shrouds and disconnect the six electrical connectors. Slide the wiring trough retainer off of the trough and stow the wiring away from steering column.
16. Loosen the two lower screws and remove the two upper nuts on steering column assembly and lay the 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 the 40-way jack screw and remove the hazard relay.
- Four outboard connectors to Junction Block.
- Headliner connector at the top of panel.

Upper Instrument 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 the lower attaching studs.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the NEW center distribution duet to the NEW instrument panel and pad assembly.
2. Install all of the instrument panel components which are the not damaged to panel. Tighten screws to 2 N.m (20 in. lbs.) torque.
3. Install the passenger airbag module to the instrument panel and pad assembly. Tighten screws to 4 N.m (35 in. lbs.) torque.
4. For installation of the upper and lower instrument panels, reverse the above procedures.
a. When installing the lower instrument panel to the upper instrument panel install the center two screws first and work from the center out. Tighten screws to 3 N.m (25 in. lbs.) torque.
b. Open the glove box to the gain access to the screws attaching the lower instrument panel to the module bracket. Tighten screws to 3 N.m (25 in. lbs.) torque.
c. DO NOT CONNECT the battery negative cable. Refer to Restraint Systems/ Air bag Systems. Air Bag Systems