Instrument Panel Assembly: Removal

1. Open hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable (Fig 1 ).
   Fig 1: Removing/Installing Battery Negative Cable

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
3. Remove the instrument panel top cover (Fig 2 ).
   Fig 2: Identifying Instrument Panel Assembly Components

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
   1. Using a trim stick (special tool #C-4755) or equivalent, gently pry off the left and right A-pillar trim.
   2. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry out the front power window switch from the instrument panel center bezel. Disconnect the harness connector and remove.
   3. Remove the one center bezel retaining screw.
   4. Pull off the HVAC control knobs.
   5. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry off the center bezel and remove.
   6. Remove the two top cover retaining screws.
   7. Gently pull rearward on the top cover and unlatch it from the instrument panel and remove.
4. Remove two screws retaining HVAC control.
5. Pull the HVAC control out of instrument panel, disconnect the one wiring connector, the one vacuum harness connector, and disconnect the two control cables. Remove HVAC control from vehicle.
6. Remove the two retaining screws to the upper and lower steering column shrouds.
7. Gently pry the upper and lower shrouds apart and remove from steering column.
8. Remove the steering column cover. Pull top down, lower to floor and twist steering column cover off instrument panel hinge pins.
9. Disconnect the steering column wire connectors:
   1. Ignition Switch
   2. Multi-Function Switch
   3. Clockspring
CAUTION: Lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. This will prevent clockspring damage when the steering wheel rotates freely.
10. Remove steering column:
    1. Remove the steering column pinch bolt at the base of the lower coupler.
    2. Remove the four retaining nuts to the steering column.
    3. Pull column rearward and out of instrument panel opening and remove from vehicle.
11. Remove the two brake pedal support bracket, instrument panel retaining bolts (Fig 3 ).
    Fig 3: Identifying Brake Pedal Support Bracket, Instrument Panel Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
12. Remove two screws to the left instrument panel end cap.
13. Pull the left end cap rearward to unsnap and remove it from vehicle.
14. Disconnect the five left side wiring connectors:
    1. Data Link Connector
    2. Two main instrument panel connectors.
    3. Brake Switch
    4. Left Side Body Harness
    5. Left Door Harness
15. Remove the two left side A-pillar, instrument panel retaining bolts and one nut. (Fig 4 )
    Fig 4: Identifying Instrument Panel Components

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
16. Remove two retaining bolts at the left side of the center support bracket (Fig 5 ).
    Fig 5: Installing Instrument Panel Center Support Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
17. Remove four screws to center console.
18. Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry rear power window switch out of console and disconnect wiring and remove.
19. Pull parking brake handle all the way up.
20. Lift up the front of the center console to gain access to the power outlet connector.
21. Disconnect one wire connector to console mounted auxiliary power outlet.
22. Pull up on rear of console first to clear parking brake handle and remove from vehicle.
23. If equipped with an automatic, remove the shifter handle and shifter bezel.
    1. Shifter Handle  - Loosen the set screw retaining the shifter handle and pull up on handle to remove.
    2. Shifter Bezel  - Pull upward on edge of shifter bezel, disconnect the illumination lamp and remove bezel.
24. Disconnect and remove the two remaining center console wiring connectors:
    1. Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) connector
    2. Park Brake Switch connector
NOTE: The center console wiring is routed underneath the rear floor heat duct. Loosen the retainers holding down the heat duct and you can maneuver the wiring from underneath it without removal.
25. Remove two retaining bolts at the right side of the center support bracket (Fig 5 ).
26. Remove glove box assembly:
    1. Open glove box and push in on the sides of the glove box bin to allow the retainers to clear the instrument panel.
    2. Let the glove box drop down and give it quick pull downward to disengage the hinge.
27. Remove two screws to the right instrument panel end cap.
28. Pull end cap rearward to unsnap and remove from vehicle.
29. Remove the two right side A-pillar, instrument panel retaining bolts and one nut (Fig 4 ).
30. Disconnect the right side instrument panel wire connectors:
    1. Antenna
    2. Overhead Systems (Fig 6 )
       Fig 6: Disconnecting/Connecting Instrument Panel To Overhead Systems Jumper Harness Connector - Typical Left Or Right

       Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    3. Blower Motor
    4. Left Door Harness
    5. Body Harness
31. Remove the four fence line instrument panel retaining bolts (Fig 7 ).
    Fig 7: Removing/Installing Instrument Panel Fence Line Retaining Bolts

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
32. With the help of an assistant, carefully remove the instrument panel from the vehicle being careful not to damage the instrument panel or vehicle interior.

This would include:

• Passenger Airbag
• Instrument Cluster and Cluster Bezel
• Cluster Area Support Panel
• Remote Keyless Entry Module (if equipped)
• Radio
• Accessory Switch Bezel
• Left and Right Instrument Panel Speakers
• Instrument Panel Wire Harness
• Right Instrument Panel A/C Outlet Housing Assembly
• All A/C and Heat Duct work and Plumbing