Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Fig. 173 Exploded View Of I/P:

Fig. 174 Defroster Grille Removal:

Fig. 175 Removing I/P Cluster Trim Plate:

Refer to Fig. 173, when performing this procedure.
1. Disable airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Open glove compartment door, then remove lower storage compartment by lifting it out.
4. Remove two screws inside glove compartment opening.
5. Remove defroster grille and deflector, Fig. 174.
6. Remove two instrument panel upper pad retaining screws, located in defroster grille opening.
7. Remove five instrument panel cluster trim plate attaching screws, Fig. 175.
8. Pull top of trim plate outward, then starting at one side of trim plate carefully pull bottom outward to release five spring clips.
9. Remove two screws at sides of instrument cluster opening.
10. Lift upper pad and disconnect electrical connector to glove compartment light, then remove upper pad.
11. Remove two screws attaching speakers to instrument panel.
12. Disconnect speaker electrical connectors, and remove speaker.
13. Remove radio assembly retaining screws, then pulling assembly rearward, disconnect antenna, speaker and electrical connectors.

Fig. 176 Removing Air Outlet Plate Assemblies:

Fig. 177 Sport Pod Removal:

Fig. 178 Steering Column Trim Plate Removal:

14. Remove two screws holding left air outlet trim plate to instrument panel, Fig. 176.
15. Carefully pull at bottom of trim plate to release spring clips.
16. Disconnect electrical connector for headlight switch, and remove air outlet trim plate.
17. On vehicles equipped with sport pod, remove sport pod as follows:
a. Remove two screws on bottom of assembly, Fig. 177.
b. Remove three screws holding assembly to instrument panel.
c. Pull assembly outward and disconnect electrical connector to lighter.
d. Remove four screws holding filler to instrument panel.
18. On vehicles not equipped with sport pod, remove left center air outlet plate assembly as follows:
a. Remove three screws holding left center air outlet assembly to instrument panel trim plate.
b. Remove air outlet trim plate by pulling carefully at bottom of plate to release spring clips.
19. On all models, remove left and right instrument panel sound insulators.
20. Remove two screws holding ALDL connector to instrument panel.
21. Remove four steering column trim plate attaching screws, Fig. 178.
22. Pull trim cover rearward and disconnect trunk release electrical connector.
23. Remove two bolts at upper part of column and one bolt at lower part of column, then lower column.
24. Disconnect left and right courtesy light assemblies.
25. Remove two screws holding parking brake release handle to instrument panel.
26. Turn handle and remove it from instrument panel.
27. Remove three fuse block bracket to instrument panel attaching screws.
28. Remove seven screws holding main ventilation duct to the instrument panel.
29. Remove nut holding wiring harness clip to instrument panel.
30. Remove screw holding glove compartment light, then slide off bracket.
31. Remove two instrument panel attaching screws, located at lower left and right sides of panel.
32. Remove five instrument panel attaching screws at top of instrument panel.
33. Remove two instrument panel attaching screws at steering column support.
34. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
35. Reverse procedure to install.
36. Reactivate airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.