Instrument panel central tube, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Fig 1: Identifying Pry Lever 80-200

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Pry lever 80 - 200

Fig 2: Identifying Torque Wrench V.A.G. 1331

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Torque wrench V.A.G 1331

Fig 3: Identifying Torque Wrench V.A.G 1783

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Torque wrench V.A.G 1783

Removing

Remove instrument panel → Instrument panel, removing and installing .

Fig 4: Removing Bolts Of Fuse Carrier

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Remove bolts - 1 - (2x) of fuse carrier - 2 -.

Tightening torque: 3 Nm

Lay down fuse carrier with connected wires.
Disengage wiring harness on instrument panel carrier and free it up.

Fig 5: Identifying Bolts, 3-Socket Relay Carrier & 6-Socket Relay Carrier

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Remove bolts - 1 - (2x) of 3-socket relay carrier - 2 -.

Tightening torque: 3 Nm

Remove nuts - 3 - (2x) of 6-socket relay carrier - 4 - with control module for vehicle electrical system.

Tightening torque: 2.4 Nm

Lay down relay carrier with connected wires.
Remove wiring harness behind relay carriers from central tube and free it up.

Fig 6: Removing Bolt Of Pedal Bracket

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Remove bolt - 2 - of pedal bracket.

Tightening torque: 23 Nm

Remove screws - 1 - (4x).

Tightening torque: 22 Nm

Place steering column in drivers footwell.

Fig 7: Identifying Left Brace Bolts & Screw

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Remove bolts - 1 - (4x) of left brace.

Tightening torque: 9 Nm

Remove screw - 2 -.

Tightening torque: 8 Nm

NOTE:

If brace remains installed, it is sufficient to only loosen bolt - 3 - and swivel brace downward.

Loosen/remove bolt - 3 - (front mount for brace on air conditioner).

Tightening torque: 8 Nm

Remove support or tilt it downward.

Fig 8: Disengaging Air Guide At Air Conditioner And Removing It Upward

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Disengage air guide at air conditioner - arrows 1 - and remove it upward - arrows 2 -.

Fig 9: Removing Screws & Expose Cable

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Remove screws - 1 - (4x).

Tightening torque: 9 Nm

Expose cable - 2 -.
Remove right support.

Fig 10: Removing Bolts Of Bracket For Air Conditioner

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Remove bolts - 1 - (2x) of bracket for air conditioner.

Tightening torque: 11 Nm

Fig 11: Removing Securing Clips And Cowl

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Pry both cover caps - 3 - out with a screwdriver.
Loosen hex nuts - 4 - a few turns.
Loosen wiper arm - 2 - from wiper axle by tilting slightly.
Completely remove hex nuts and remove wiper arm.

Remove securing clips - 1 - and remove cowl panel grille - 5 -.

Fig 12: Removing Screws And Cover From E-Box In Plenum Chamber

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Remove E-box plenum chamber cover - arrows -.

Fig 13: Using Screwdriver To Remove Retainer Bar And Engine Control Module (ECM) J623

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Carefully pry off mounting bracket - arrow - assisted with a screwdriver and lay Engine Control Module (ECM) with attached wires aside.
Unclip retaining bracket.
If present, lay aside transmission control module with wiring connected.

Fig 14: Removing Bolts Of Connector Station

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Remove bolts - 2 - (2x) of connector station.

Tightening torque: 3 Nm

Remove central tube bolt - 1 - for instrument panel in plenum chamber.

Tightening torque: 6 Nm

Fig 15: Removing Left Bolts, Upper Bolt & Ground (GND) Wires

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Remove left bolts - 1 - (2x).

Tightening torque: 35 Nm

Remove upper bolt - 3 -. Tightening torque: 6 Nm.
Unscrew Ground (GND) wires - 2 -.

Fig 16: Removing Right Bolt & Unscrewing Ground (GND) Wires

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Remove right bolt - 2 -.

Tightening torque: 35 Nm

Unscrew Ground (GND) wires - 1 -.
Pull instrument panel central tube forward a few mm.

Fig 17: Pulling Out Pins Upward, Removing Air Guide Upward & Unscrewing Ground (GND) Wires

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Pull out pins - 2 - (2x) preferably upward using a small screwdriver.
Free up electrical wiring harness behind vent.
Remove air guide upward - arrow -.
Unscrew Ground (GND) wires - 1 -.

Fig 18: Pressing Off Wiring Harness Behind Central Tube For Instrument Panel From Central Tube For Instrument Panel

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Press off wiring harness behind central tube for instrument panel from central tube for instrument panel - arrows -.

Fig 19: Using Pry Lever 80 - 200 To Remove Instrument Panel Central Tube

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To do so, use pry lever 80 - 200.

Remove instrument panel central tube.

Installing

Installation is reverse of removal.