Instrument Panel Assembly: Removal: Notes

The Instrument Panel and HVAC assemblies are removed together as one assembly. If service is required to the individual unit, separation might be required.

1. Recover the A/C refrigerant (Refer to REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY ).
2. Partially drain the coolant (Refer to COOLING ).
3. Remove one bolt retaining the A/C lines to the right strut tower.
4. Remove the two top HVAC housing retaining nuts in engine compartment. See Fig 1.
   Fig 1: HVAC Housing Retaining Nuts

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - BULKHEAD

   2 - EXPANSION VALVE

   3 - NUT

5. Hoist vehicle and remove the lower HVAC housing retaining nut.
6. Lower vehicle from hoist.
7. Remove the driver and passenger seats (Refer to BODY/SEATS/SEAT - REMOVAL) .
8. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative remote cable.
9. Remove one screw to shift knob and transmission range indicator bezel from floor console.
10. Remove floor center console. Remove two mounting screws in the front and two mounting screws inside console storage bin (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE - REMOVAL) .
11. Remove the amplifier (Refer to ELECTRICAL/AUDIO/AMPLIFIER - REMOVAL) .
12. Using a trim stick (special tool #C-4755) or equivalent, gently pry out on the left and right rear floor heat ducts and remove. See Fig 2.
    Fig 2: Rear Heat Duct

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - REAR HEAT DUCT

    2 - LOCATING CLIP

13. Disconnect the console wiring connectors and unclip the push in fasteners.
14. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry up on and remove the right sill plate.
15. Remove the two screws to the right cowl kick panel and remove from vehicle (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/COWL TRIM - REMOVAL) .
16. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry out on the right end cover and remove from vehicle (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL END CAP - REMOVAL) .
17. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry out on the right A-pillar trim and remove from vehicle (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/A-PILLAR TRIM - REMOVAL) .
18. Open the glove box. Pinch in on the sides and drop to the floor. Pull down to disengage hinges.
19. Disconnect the right door harness connectors located within the A-pillar.
20. Remove the four right A-pillar instrument panel retainers.
21. Remove the right silencer.
22. Remove the one right side, center instrument panel support bolt.
23. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry up on and remove the left sill plate (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/DOOR SILL TRIM - REMOVAL) .
24. Remove the two screws to the left cowl kick panel and remove from vehicle.
25. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry out on the left end cover and remove from vehicle (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL END CAP - REMOVAL) .
26. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry out on the left A-pillar trim and remove from vehicle (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/A-PILLAR TRIM - REMOVAL) .
27. Disconnect the left door harness connectors located within the A-pillar.
28. Remove the four left A-pillar instrument panel retainers.
29. Remove five screws and one wire connector to left lower instrument panel trim bezel (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM - REMOVAL) .
30. Remove the left silencer.
31. Remove the one left side, center instrument panel support bolt.
32. Remove one bolt to the left side support strut to bulkhead.
33. Disconnect the junction block wiring connectors.
34. Remove two screws to the steering column shrouds and remove.
35. Disconnect all the column wiring and unclip the harness from the steering column.
36. Disconnect the transmission shift interlock and wire connector.
37. Remove the four steering column retaining bolts and drop column to floor.
38. Using a trim stick or equivalent, pry up on the rear of the top cover and pull rearward as you lift off of instrument panel (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD - REMOVAL) .
39. Remove instrument panel pad.
40. Remove seven bolts and five screws attaching instrument panel to fence line and cowl side.
    Fig 3: Instrument Panel Removal

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL TO PLENUM SCREW

    2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL STEERING COLUMN TO COWL PLENUM SCREW

    3 - RIGHT COWL SIDE BOLTS

    4 - INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER BRACE TO FLOOR

    5 - LEFT COWL SIDE BOLTS

41. With the help of an assistant, lift up instrument panel and move rearward to remove. Tilt the panel rearward to prevent the coolant from leaking out.

If replacing the instrument panel, transfer all non damaged parts and wiring harness to the new instrument panel assembly.