Instrument Panel Assembly: Installation

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG UNIT AND OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES, THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE SKIN AND EYES.
USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE SERVICED WITH DOORS IN THE ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE AIRBAG DOOR RESPONDS TO AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Install the instrument panel.
NOTE: The guides on the bottom of the instrument panel must engage in the cutouts on the left and right next to the heater housing. See Fig 1 and Fig 2.

Fig 1: ALIGNMENT CUTOUT - 1
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CUTOUT

2 - HEATER HOUSING

Fig 2: ALIGNMENT CUTOUT - 2
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - CUTOUT

2 - HEATER HOUSING
Route wire harness through the panel.
Install and tighten 12 instrument panel screws. See Figure.
CAUTION: The position of the steering gear must not be altered.
Raise steering column into position and install the bolts. See Figure.
Tighten steering column bolts to 25 N.m (18 ft. lbs.).
Install ignition transponder onto column lock. See Figure.
NOTE: The dome on the transponder must engage into the groove on the ignition switch.
Install brake pedal spring. See Figure.
Install vent hose. See Figure.
Install instrument panel top cover and screws. See Figure.
Install right outer and inner air nozzles. See Figure.
Install right side cover and screws.
Wrap protective mat around connectors behind instrument cluster.
Install left outer and inner air nozzles.
Install left side cover and screws.
Install passenger side air nozzle cover and bracket and install the screws. See Figure.
Position Power Distribution Center (PDC) in vehicle and connect electrical connectors. See Figure.
Install PDC and install bolt and nut. See Figure.
Install PDC ground cable and nut.
Install steering column shroud and install the two screws and one nut. See Figure.
Install PDC cover and twist lock 1/4 turn to secure in place. See Figure.
Connect electrical connectors and cables to air conditioning push-button module and install. See Figure.
Install center bezel. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER BEZEL - INSTALLATION) .
Install left and right speakers. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/AUDIO/SPEAKER - INSTALLATION)
Install passenger airbag. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION)
Install instrument cluster. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION)
Install cup holder. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CUP HOLDER - INSTALLATION) .
Install glove compartment. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/GLOVE BOX - INSTALLATION) .
Install radio. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/AUDIO/RADIO - INSTALLATION)
Connect battery negative cable.