Instrument Panel Assembly: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Dakota and 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
NOTE: Dakota shown, Durango similar.

Fig 1: Removing/Installing Instrument Panel
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the defroster grille from the instrument panel (Fig 1 ). Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/DEFROSTER GRILLE-REMOVAL .
Remove the a-pillar trim. (Refer to REMOVAL )
Remove the end caps from the left and right outboard ends of the instrument panel. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL END CAP-REMOVAL ).
Remove the trim from the left and right cowl side inner panels. (Refer to REMOVAL ).
Remove the door sill trim. (Refer to REMOVAL )
Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument panel. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL-REMOVAL ).
Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. (Refer to BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER-REMOVAL ).
Remove the lower bezel from the instrument panel. Refer to LOWER BEZEL .
If the vehicle is so equipped, remove the console from the floor panel transmission tunnel. (Refer to REMOVAL ).
From under the passenger side end of the instrument panel, perform the following:
1. Disconnect the two halves of the radio antenna coaxial cable connector.
2. If the vehicle is equipped with the Infinity sound system option, disconnect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors for the amplifier from the connector receptacles on the bottom of the amplifier on the right cowl side inner panel.
3. Remove the nut that secures the instrument panel wire harness ground take out eyelet terminal connector to the ground stud on the right cowl side inner panel, and remove the eyelet terminal from the stud.
From under the driver side end of the instrument panel, perform the following:
1. Remove the two screws that secure the inside hood release bracket to the instrument panel.
2. Disengage the 16-way data link connector from the inside hood release bracket and lower the release handle and bracket to the floor.
3. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the Airbag Control Module (ACM) on the floor panel transmission tunnel from the ACM connector receptacle.
4. Remove the two screws that secure the instrument panel wire harness ground take out eyelet terminal connectors to the left side of the ACM mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
5. Disconnect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors for the Central Timer Module (CTM) on the left cowl side inner panel from the two outboard connector receptacles on the CTM.
6. Remove the nut that secures the instrument panel wire harness ground take out eyelet terminal connector to the ground stud on the left cowl side inner panel, and remove the eyelet terminal from the stud.
7. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the park brake switch from the switch terminal on the park brake mechanism.
8. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the brake lamp switch from the switch connector receptacle.
9. Remove the screw that secures the center of the instrument panel wire harness bulkhead connector to the headlamp and dash wire harness bulkhead connector and disconnect the connector.
10. Disconnect the two body wire harness connectors from the two instrument panel wire harness connectors that are piggybacked on the bulkhead connector.
11. Disconnect the body wire harness connector from the connector receptacle on the back of the Junction Block (JB).
12. Disconnect the two headlamp and dash wire harness connectors from the connector receptacles on the back of the JB.
Remove the steering column from the vehicle. (Refer to REMOVAL ).
Loosen the right and left instrument panel cowl side roll-down bracket screws about 13 mm (0.50 inch).
Remove the two screws that secure the instrument panel end brackets to each A-pillar.
Remove the two screws that secure the instrument panel center bracket to the ACM mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
Remove the five screws that secure the top of the instrument panel to the top of the dash panel, removing the center screw last.
Lift the instrument panel upward slightly to unhook it from the attachment at each cowl side door pillar area, pull the instrument panel rearward, and then roll the instrument panel downward. Install a temporary hook in the center hole on top of the instrument panel. Secure the other end of the hook to the center hole in the top of the dash panel. The hook should support the instrument panel in its rolled down position about 46 cm (18 inches) from the dash panel.
With the instrument panel supported in the roll-down position, disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the heater-A/C housing wire harness connector.
With the aid of an assistant, remove the temporary hook and lift the instrument panel assembly off of the roll-down bracket screws and remove it from the vehicle.