Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Fig. 43 Instrument Panel Replacement (Part 1 Of 2):

Fig. 43 Instrument Panel Replacement (Part 2 Of 2):

Fig. 44 Instrument Panel Replacement:

WARNING: On Air Bag Equipped Models, Refer To Air Bag System Precautions for System Disarming & Arming Procedures.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove front door inside carpet retainers, then remove lefthand and righthand sound insulator retainers.
3. Disconnect courtesy lamps, then remove sound insulators from instrument panel assembly.
4. Remove windshield side upper garnish moldings, then remove instrument panel upper trim panel, Figs. 43 and 44.
a. Carefully insert a flat blade screwdriver at rear edge of trim panel, then gently pry upward until all retaining tabs have been released.
b. Lift rear edge upward approximately two inches, then remove panel by pulling rearward.
5. Remove instrument panel lower compartment as follows:
a. Remove screws below lower compartment, then remove compartment door hinge screws and separate door from compartment.
b. Remove screws along top of compartment and at plastic clips below compartment.
c. Remove opening screw and slide lower compartment out of instrument panel assembly, then disconnect lamp electrical connector.
6. Remove theft deterrent module, then remove passenger's side air bag inflator module as described in Air Bags. Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts. Service and Repair
7. Remove steering column opening filler and instrument panel cluster trim plate, then remove front console as follows:
a. Remove console trim plate and disengage tabs retaining CD storage bin to front of console.
b. Raise armrest, then remove armrest mat and console fasteners.
c. Disconnect electrical connectors, then remove console assembly from vehicle.
8. Remove radio as described in Accessories and Optional Equipment, then detach ventilation control assembly from instrument panel. Refer to Radio, Stereo and Compact Disc Player. Service and Repair
9. Remove instrument cluster mounting screws, then rotate top of cluster rearward and disengage instrument panel locating pins at bottom of cluster.
10. Disconnect instrument cluster electrical connector and remove cluster from vehicle.
11. Remove headlamp switch, fuse block and knee bolster deflector.
12. On Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix and Regal models, remove trip calculator.
13. Remove steering column support nuts, then lower steering column away from instrument panel.
14. Remove instrument panel carrier mounting fasteners, then separate data link connector, lower compartment lamp and trunk release switch from instrument panel.
15. Remove instrument panel carrier clips, then position wiring harness aside and remove instrument panel from vehicle.
16. Reverse procedure to install.