Dashboard Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Acura MDX, 2008 Acura MDX, and 2007 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special Tools Required

KTC trim tool set SOJATP20H *

* Available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ) and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or service.

NOTE:

Put on gloves to protect your hands.
Take care not to scratch the dashboard, body, and other related parts.
Take care not to bend the brackets.
Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.

Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure(See DISCONNECTION .
Remove these items from the dashboard:
- Driver's outer dashboard trim (see DRIVER'S OUTER DASHBOARD TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Driver's dashboard lower cover (see DRIVER'S DASHBOARD LOWER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Driver's dashboard undercover (see DRIVER'S DASHBOARD UNDERCOVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Passenger's dashboard undercover (see PASSENGER'S DASHBOARD UNDERCOVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Glove box and damper (see GLOVE BOX REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Glove box striker (see GLOVE BOX STRIKER REPLACEMENT )
- Center upper panel (see CENTER UPPER PANEL REMOVAL/ INSTALLATION )
- Center panel (see DASHBOARD CENTER PANEL REMOVAL/ INSTALLATION )
- Center console (see CENTER CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- A-pillar trim, both sides (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - PILLAR AREAS )
- Tweeter, both sides (see TWEETER )
- Instrument fascia (see DRIVER'S INNER DASHBOARD TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- Gauge control module (see GAUGE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT )
- Sunlight sensor (see SUNLIGHT SENSOR TEST )
- Display unit, with navigation system (see DISPLAY UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
- GPS antenna (see GPS ANTENNA REMOVAL/INSTALLATION )
Adjust the steering column to full tilt down position and to the full telescopic pull position.
Remove the screws (A, B), then remove the driver's dashboard lower bracket (C) and the dashboard lower bracket (D).

Fig 1: Identifying Screws, Driver's Dashboard Lower Bracket And Dashboard Lower Bracket
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the parking brake lever mounting bolts (A, B), then lower the lever.

Fig 2: Identifying Parking Brake Lever Mounting Bolts With torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
From the front of the dashboard, detach the harness clip (A).

Fig 3: Identifying Harness Clip
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Detach the connectors (A) from the dashboard duct in the center upper panel opening. Pull the sunlight sensor connector (B) out through the hole (C) in the dashboard.

Fig 4: Identifying Connectors, Sunlight Sensor Connector And Hole
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect and detach the passenger's airbag connector (A) from the steering hanger beam, and detach the dashboard wire harness clip (B). Remove the passenger's airbag mounting bolts.

Fig 5: Passenger's Airbag Connector And Dashboard Wire Harness Clip With Torque Specification
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
From the front of the dashboard, remove the screws securing the dashboard (A).

Fig 6: Screws With Torque Specification
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Wrap the steering wheel with a shop towel to prevent damage.
Lift up on the dashboard (A). With an assistant holding the dashboard up, detach the dashboard wire harness clips (B) from both sides of the dashboard duct.

Fig 7: Identifying Dashboard And Dashboard Wire Harness Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
With the help of an assistant, remove the dashboard (A).
1. Lift up on the dashboard to release it from the guide pins (B).
2. Lift up on the dashboard until the driver's outside portion will be higher than the steering column.
3. While carefully moving the driver's outside portion of the dashboard over the steering column, rotate the dashboard toward the front passenger's door opening, and lower the passenger's side.
4. Remove the dashboard through the passenger's door opening.
  NOTE: Lay the dashboard on its front or back. Do not rest it on the lower console opening or you may damage it.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Dashboard And Guide Pins
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
From the front of the dashboard, remove the screws securing the dashboard duct (A).

Fig 9: Identifying Screws Securing Dashboard Duct
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
From the back of the dashboard, remove the dashboard duct (A) from the dashboard (B).

Fig 10: Identifying Dashboard Duct And Dashboard
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the dashboard in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- Before tightening the bolts, make sure the dashboard wire harness is not pinched.
- Make sure the dashboard fits onto the guide pins correctly.
- Replace the passenger's airbag mounting bolts with new ones.
- Make sure the connectors are plugged in properly.
- Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure (See RECONNECTION .
- Check for any DTCs that may have been set during repairs, and clear them.