Instrument Panel Assembly Replacement

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS/AIR BAGS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
3. Remove the Airbag Control Module (ACM) and bracket from the floor panel transmission tunnel. Refer to: "Restraint Systems : Airbag Systems : Air Bag Control Module : Service and Repair" Service and Repair
4. Remove the trim panels from the left and right cowl side inner panels. Refer to: "Body and Frame : Interior trim : Trim Panel : Service and Repair" Service and Repair
5. Remove the steering column opening cover and knee blocker from the instrument panel. Refer to: "Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators : Instrument Panel : Service and Repair" Service and Repair
6. Remove the steering column from the vehicle. Refer to: "Steering and Suspension : Steering/Steering Column : Service and Repair" Service and Repair
7. From under the driver side of the instrument panel:
a. Disconnect the park brake release handle linkage rod from the park brake mechanism on the left cowl side inner panel. Refer to: "Brakes and Traction Control : Parking Brake System : Parking Brake Lever : Service and Repair" Service and Repair
b. Unplug the wire harness connector from the park brake switch on the park brake mechanism.
c. Unplug the three junction block wire harness connectors that are closest to the dash panel.
d. Remove the screw in the center of the instrument panel to bulkhead wire harness connector and unplug the connector.
e. Unplug the instrument panel to door wire harness connector located directly below the bulkhead wire harness connector.
f. If the vehicle is equipped with the Infinity sound system option, unplug the Infinity wire harness connector located on the outboard side of the bulkhead wire harness connector.
g. Unplug the wire harness connector from the stop lamp switch.
h. Unplug the heater and air conditioner vacuum harness connector located near the inboard end of the heater-A/C housing.
i. Remove the two screws that secure the inside hood latch release handle to the instrument panel lower reinforcement and lower the release handle to the floor.
8. From the under the passenger side of the instrument panel, disconnect the radio antenna coaxial cable connector.

Instrument Panel Assembly Remove/Install:

9. Loosen the right and left instrument panel cowl side roll-down bracket screws about 13 mm (0.50 inch).
10. Remove the five screws that secure the top of the instrument panel to the top of the dash panel, removing the center screw last.
11. Roll down the instrument panel and install a temporary hook in the center hole on top of the instrument panel. Secure the other end of the hook to the center hole in the top of the dash panel. The hook should support the instrument panel in its rolled down position about 46 cm (18 inches) from the dash panel.
12. With the instrument panel supported in the roll-down position, reach over the passenger side end of the instrument panel to:
a. Unplug the two wire harness connectors located on the heater-A/C housing.
b. Disconnect the temperature control cable flag retainer from the top of the heater-A/C housing and pull the cable core adjuster clip off of the blend-air door lever.
13. With the aid of an assistant, remove the temporary hook and lift the instrument panel assembly off of the roll-down bracket screws and remove it from the vehicle.
14. Reverse the removal procedures to install. Tighten the mounting hardware as follows:
- Instrument panel top to dash panel screws - 3 N.m (28 in. lbs.)
- Instrument panel roll-down screws - 12 N.m (105 in. lbs.).