Removal & Installation

WARNING: Vehicles are equipped with air bag supplemental restraint system. Before attempting ANY repairs involving steering column, instrument panel or related components, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM in appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.

CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

If vehicle is equipped with power seats, move seats to their full rearward position. If vehicle is equipped with adjustable pedals, move pedals all the way forward (toward front of vehicle). If vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, place transmission in 2nd gear. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove passenger and driver air bag modules. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.
Release the 3 locking tabs on battery junction box and position battery junction box aside. Remove the 3 bulkhead connectors on driver side rear of engine compartment and move aside. Remove bulkhead connector cover and unclip connectors from dash panel. See Fig 1.
From inside passenger's compartment, remove valance panel and restraints control module electrical connector. See Fig 2. Remove blend door electrical connector. Remove vacuum connector for A/C control head. Remove the scuff plates, A-pillar trim panels, and weather strip seals from both doors. Remove 2 screws from each passenger assist handle and remove both passenger assist handles. Remove both windshield moldings.
Disconnect brake pedal position switch. Disconnect adjustable pedals motor electrical connector, if equipped. Disconnect clutch pedal position switch electrical connector, if equipped.
Remove 2 ground wires from driver side kick panel. Remove electrical connectors from driver side kick panel. See Fig 3. Remove lower instrument panel cover. Remove 4 nuts and remove the steering column reinforcement bracket. See Fig 4. Disconnect clockspring and anti-theft connectors at base of steering column. Disconnect remaining electrical connectors on steering column. On vehicles with automatic transmissions, remove the transmission range indicator.
Remove 4 nuts and lower steering column. In steering column opening, remove 3 instrument panel retaining bolts. See Fig 5. Remove instrument panel reinforcement bolt on LH corner of cigar lighter.
Disconnect inertia switch electrical connector. Remove ground wires from passenger side kick panel. Disconnect electrical connectors from passenger side kick panel. See Fig 6. Remove radio trim panel. Using Radio Remover (415-001), remove radio and disconnect electrical connectors. Remove antenna cable from instrument panel.
Using Glove Box Spring Special Tool (501-032), remove glove compartment. Remove 2 bolts in passenger air bag opening. See Fig 5. Remove reinforcement bolt on lower left hand corner of glove compartment. Pull carpet around center of cab back and loosen the instrument panel floor brace bolts. Upper floor brace bolt must be removed completely. See Fig 7. Remove driver and passenger side instrument panel side retaining nuts, one each side. Remove the 2 instrument panel upper cowl bolts. See Fig 5.
With an assistant, remove instrument panel from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure. When tightening floor brace bolts, torque upper bolt to specification before tightening nuts to avoid squeaks and rattles after repair. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .