Instrument Panel: Removal

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM Color Coding

All vehicles 

1. Rotate the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
2. Recover the refrigerant. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics .
3. Remove the wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft assembly. For additional information, refer to Wipers and Washers .
4. Remove the 2 LH instrument panel upper cowl bolts.

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5. Remove the PCM. For additional information, refer to Electronic Engine Controls .
6. Remove the wire harness retainer from the PCM bracket stud.

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7. Remove the 3 nuts and the PCM bracket.

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8. Remove the RH instrument panel upper cowl bolt.

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   Vehicles with 2.0L engines 

9. Remove the upper engine cover.
   • Lift up the engine cover, releasing the cover from the 3 cover retainers.

   Vehicles with 3.5L engines 

10. Remove the vacuum hose clips from the strut tower cross brace.

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11. Remove the strut tower cross brace.
    • NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.

      Remove the LH and RH strut upper mount inboard nuts.

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    All vehicles 

12. Clamp the heater hoses and remove the hoses from the heater core.

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13. Remove the Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) manifold nut and the TXV manifold.
    • Discard the O-ring seals.
    • Make sure to cover any open ports to prevent debris from entering the system.

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14. Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to Steering Column .
15. Remove the front seats. For additional information, refer to Seating .

    Police vehicles without floor console 

16. Remove the lower center instrument panel finish panel.

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17. Remove the steering column opening trim panel.
18. Remove the LH and RH center instrument panel side panels.

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    Column shift vehicles 

19. Remove the steering column shroud. For additional information, refer to Steering Column .
20. Disconnect the selector lever cable from the selector lever.

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21. Disconnect the selector lever cable from the steering column bracket and position aside.

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    All vehicles 

22. Remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Console -- Floor .
23. Remove the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim and Ornamentation .
24. Remove the LH and RH scuff plate trim panels. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim and Ornamentation .
25. Release the clips and remove the lower cowl trim panels.
    • Both sides

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26. Position aside the LH and RH door opening weatherstrips.
27. Remove the LH and RH instrument panel side finish panels.
    • Pull the sides of the instrument panel side finish panels away from the instrument panel to release the retaining tabs.

28. Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt.

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29. Separate the steering column shaft from the steering column.
30. Disconnect the instrument panel upper LH bulkhead electrical connector.

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31. Disconnect the 2 Smart Junction Box (SJB) lower electrical connectors and instrument panel lower LH bulkhead electrical connector.

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32. Remove the hood release handle bolt and position the hood release handle aside.
33. NOTE: If equipped.

    Remove the driver footrest pad.

    • Remove the 2 pin-type retainers.

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34. NOTE: To avoid damaging the carpet with coolant when the instrument panel is removed, the carpet must be removed.

    Remove the LH and RH front carpet sections.

    • Remove the 2 pin-type retainers.

35. Remove the 2 pin-type retainers and the rear footwell duct.

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36. Disconnect the instrument panel RH bulkhead electrical connector.

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37. Disconnect the antenna cable and the satellite radio antenna connector, if equipped.

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38. Remove the 2 bolts and the ground wires from the floor pan tunnel.

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39. Disconnect the Restraints Control Module (RCM) small electrical connector and detach the 2 wire harness pin-type retainers.

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40. Remove the 4 instrument panel center support bracket bolts.
41. NOTE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, an assistant is required to support the instrument panel when carrying out this step.
    NOTE: Remove the bolts from one side completely and support the instrument panel before removing the bolts from the opposite side.

    Remove the 6 instrument panel side bolts.

42. NOTE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, an assistant is required when carrying the next step.

    Use an assistant while removing the instrument panel in the next step.

43. NOTE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are not hindered before removing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.
    NOTE: Make sure not to damage the RH front door trim panel or the instrument panel when removing the instrument panel from the vehicle.
    NOTE: To avoid damage to the instrument panel, place the instrument panel on a covered bench upside-down.

    Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.

    • Rotate the instrument panel face down and remove through the RH front door opening.