Instrument Panel Assembly: Removal

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove center console closeout panel. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/CENTER CONSOLE CLOSEOUT PANEL - REMOVAL) .
3. Remove front floor console assembly. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE - REMOVAL) .
4. Remove floor console base assembly two screws attaching L-brackets to instrument panel. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE BASE ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL) .
5. Remove nuts attaching the floor braces to instrument panel. See Fig 1. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL FLOOR BRACKET - REMOVAL) .
   Fig 1: FLOOR BRACKET AND BRACES TO INSTRUMENT PANEL

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - FLOOR BRACE TO INSTRUMENT PANEL

   2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER BRACE

   3 - ATTACHING NUTS

   4 - FLOOR BRACKET

6. Remove steering column opening cover. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER - REMOVAL) .
7. Remove inflatable knee blocker four mounting screws. See Fig 2.
   Fig 2: INFLATABLE KNEE BLOCKER

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - WIRE CONNECTOR

   2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

   3 - INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET

   4 - INFLATABLE KNEE BLOCKER

   5 - INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT

   6 - MOUNTING SCREWS

8. Remove two screws attaching instrument panel trim outlet plate. See Fig 3.
9. Using a trim stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the locking tabs attaching instrument panel trim plate.
10. Disengage braking brake handle from brake park release bracket, leave rod engaged.
    Fig 3: PARK BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE & STEERING COLUMN OUTER COVER

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM OUTLET PLATE

    2 - ATTACHING SCREWS

    3 - INSTRUMENT PANEL PARKING BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE BRACKET

    4 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

    5 - INFLATABLE KNEE BLOCKER AIRBAG

    6 - INSTRUMENT PANEL STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER

    7 - INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER POCKET

    8 - BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE

    9 - BRAKE HANDLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY

11. Remove instrument panel reinforcement. See Fig 4.
12. Disconnect bulkhead wiring harness connectors.
13. Disconnect body control module wiring connectors.
14. Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. (Refer to STEERING/COLUMN/LOWER SHROUD - REMOVAL) and (Refer to STEERING/COLUMN/UPPER SHROUD - REMOVAL) .
15. Disconnect steering column wiring connectors.
16. Disconnect steering column pinch bolt and retaining nuts (4). (Refer to STEERING/COLUMN/INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - REMOVAL) .
    Fig 4: INSTRUMENT PANEL LOWER REINFORCEMENT

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - WELD STUDS

    2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

    3 - MOUNTING SCREWS

    4 - INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT

    5 - STUDS

    6 - ATTACHING NUTS

    7 - INSTRUMENT TO FLOOR BRACKET

    8 - INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACE TO FLOOR BRACKET

    9 - INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT

    10 - DIAGNOSTIC REMOTE CONNECTOR BRACKET

    11 - DIAGNOSTIC WIRE CONNECTOR

    12 - INSTRUMENT PANEL SIDE COWL BRACKET

17. Disconnect brake light wiring connectors.
18. Remove steering column retaining nuts. See Fig 5.
    Fig 5: TOP COVER AND INSTRUMENT PANEL

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - INSTRUMENT TOP COVER

    2 - MOUNTING SCREWS

    3 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

    4 - ATTACHING NUTS

    5 - WELD STUD

    6 - STEERING COLUMN ATTACHING BRACKET

    7 - INSTRUMENT PANEL SIDE COWL BRACKET

    8 - COWL SIDE PANEL

    9 - INSTRUMENT PANEL END CAP

19. Remove shift interlock cable. (Refer to TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC - 41TE/SHIFT INTERLOCK CABLE - INSTALLATION) .
20. Remove both left and right side A-pillar trim. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/A-PILLAR TRIM - REMOVAL) .
21. Remove instrument panel end caps. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL END CAP - REMOVAL) .
22. Remove both front door sill scuff plates. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/FRONT DOOR SCUFF PLATE - REMOVAL) .
23. Remove both cowl side trim panel. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/COWL SIDE TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL) .
24. Disconnect the antenna lead connector. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/AUDIO/ANTENNA BODY & CABLE - REMOVAL) .
25. Remove the glove box:
    • Push in on sides of glove box bin and lower door.
    • Pivot glove box downward and disengage hinge hooks from instrument panel.
    • Remove glove box from vehicle.
26. Disconnect the airbag module electrical connector.
27. Remove top cover. See Fig 6. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER - REMOVAL) .
    Fig 6: INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP COVER

    2 - AREA TO CHECK FIT AND FINISH

    3 - LOCKING TABS

    4 - LOCATING PIN(S)

28. Remove mounting screws attaching right instrument panel side cowl bracket (roll down). See Fig 7.
    Fig 7: SIDE COWL ATTACHING BRACKET

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

    2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL SIDE COWL ATTACHING BRACKET

    3 - MOUNTING SCREWS

29. Disconnect HVAC electrical connectors.
30. Disconnect (3) electrical connectors behind cowl panel.
31. Disconnect right side electrical connector from A-pillar.
32. Remove the (2) screws attaching the instrument panel frame to the dash panel below windshield opening. See Fig 8
33. With the help of an assistant remove the instrument panel from vehicle. Lift the instrument panel up off the HVAC so you won't damage the sealing surface of the distribution duct.

If the instrument panel is being replaced, transfer all parts to the new instrument panel assembly.

Fig 8: INSTRUMENT PANEL SLIP BRACKETS

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.