Instrument Panel Top Cover

INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument panel.

Fig. 23:

3. Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the rear edge (farthest from the windshield) of the instrument panel top cover up and away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the seven snap clip retainers from their receptacles in the instrument panel (Fig.23).
4. Pull the top cover sharply rearwards (away from the windshield) to disengage the four snap clip retainers that secure the forward edge of the top cover from their receptacles in the instrument panel near the base of the windshield.
5. Remove the top cover from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Fig. 24:

1. Position the top cover onto the instrument panel (Fig. 24).
2. Align the four snap clips on the forward edge (nearest the windshield) of the top cover with the snap clip receptacles in the instrument panel.
3. Press firmly forward and downward on the top cover over each of the four forward snap clip locations until each of the snap clips is fully seated in their receptacles in the instrument panel.
4. Align the seven snap clips on the rear edge (farthest from the windshield) of the top cover with the snap clip receptacles in the instrument panel.
5. Press firmly downward on the top cover over each of the seven rearward snap clip locations until each of the snap clips is fully seated in their receptacles in the instrument panel.
6. Reinstall the cluster bezel onto the instrument panel.
7. Reconnect the battery negative cable.