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Instrument Panel Assembly: Removal

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, 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.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
  1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
  2. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. (Refer to STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER - REMOVAL  ).
  3. Remove the steering column from the vehicle, but do not remove the driver airbag, the steering wheel, or the switches from the steering column. Be certain that the steering wheel is locked and secured from rotation to prevent the loss of clockspring centering. (Refer to COLUMN - REMOVAL ).
  4. From beneath the driver side end of the instrument panel, perform the following:
    1. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the 100-way cross body wire harness connector near the left cowl side inner panel.
    2. Disconnect the driver side window demister hose at the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct.
  5. Remove the glove box from the instrument panel (Refer to GLOVE BOX - REMOVAL  ).
  6. Reach through the instrument panel glove box opening to perform the following:
    1. Disconnect the heater-A/C control vacuum harness connector from the heater-A/C housing vacuum harness connector.
    2. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the heater-A/C housing wire harness connector.
    3. Disconnect the cross body wire harness connector from the passenger airbag pigtail wire connector.
    4. Disconnect the passenger side window demister hose at the heater-A/C housing demister/defroster duct.
    5. Disconnect the two halves of the radio antenna coaxial cable connector.
    6. Remove the two nuts that secure the passenger airbag lower bracket to the studs on the dash panel (Fig 1 ).
      Fig 1: Removing/Installing Passenger Airbag Lower Bracket Nuts
      G02712372Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  7. Remove the top cover from the instrument panel. (Refer to TOP COVER - REMOVAL  ).
  8. Remove the three screws that secure each end of the instrument panel structural support to the cowl side inner panels at the front of each door opening (Fig 2 ).
    Fig 2: Removing/Installing Instrument Panel
    G02712373Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  9. Remove the four nuts that secure the top of the instrument panel structural support to the studs on the top of the dash panel.
  10. With the aid of an assistant, lift the instrument panel off of the dash panel studs and remove it from the vehicle.
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