Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Instrument panel components. 1987-90 Caravan, Mini Ram Van, Town & Country & Voyager:

1. Disable airbag system, refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts/Air Bags (Supplemental Restraint Systems)/Service and Repair.
2. Block vehicle wheels.
3. Release parking brake.
4. Remove steering column cover.
5. Disconnect rear heater blower switch and remove instrument panel silencer, if equipped.
6. Remove forward console, if equipped.
7. Remove both side cowl and sill moldings.
8. Loosen bolts in side cowl. Do not remove bolts.
9. On models equipped with automatic transaxle, place gear selector in Neutral, then disconnect shift indicator cable. Ensure vehicle wheels are blocked.
10. On all models, remove instrument panel lower reinforcement from under steering column.
11. Remove five steering column to support bracket attaching nuts.
12. Lower steering column. Use a protective cover to protect steering column and seat.
13. Remove instrument panel trim molding from righthand side of instrument panel.
14. Remove nine screws attaching lower instrument panel to upper panel and mid-reinforcement.
15. Roll lower instrument panel down approximately six inches.
16. Disconnect parking brake release cable. Release parking brake before disconnecting release cable.
17. Disconnect heater-A/C control cable.
18. Disconnect antenna and wiring connectors from radio.
19. Disconnect the following electrical connectors:
a. Instrument cluster.
b. Bulkhead disconnect.
c. Side cowl.
d. Heater-A/C control.
e. Blower motor.
f. Steering column.
g. Headlight and accessory switches.
20. Disconnect fresh air duct.
21. Remove A-pillar garnish from door opening weatherstrip at panel bolt.
22. Remove weatherstrip from vehicle body, then the lower portion of the instrument panel.
23. Disconnect speedometer cable from transaxle.
24. Remove two nuts from steering column bracket.
25. Disconnect electrical connectors from speakers.
26. Remove speaker and defroster grilles.

Fig. 2 Exploded view of upper instrument panel. 1987-90 Caravan, Mini Ram Van, Town & Country & Voyager:

27. Remove two screws from each cowl side bracket.
28. Remove six screws attaching upper instrument panel to body. Four screws are located in defroster duct slots and two screws are located next to speakers.
29. Pull upper instrument panel rearward and disconnect speedometer cable from speedometer.
30. Remove upper instrument panel.
31. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. On models equipped with automatic transaxle, place gear selector in Drive.
b. Pull shift indicator cable so pointer reads between R and N, then allow cable to snap back.
c. Connect shift indicator cable to steering column shift housing, routing cable outside of slotted flange. Pull cable only as far as necessary to install, ensuring pointer does not go past R.
d. Place gear selector in Park to adjust shift indicator.
e. Reactivate airbag system, refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ARMING/DISARMING.