Warning: The vehicles described in this manual are equipped with a passive restraint system (SRS), also known as an air spring system. Before carrying out work in the area where the elements of this system are located, you should turn off its power, since accidental deployment of the airbags can result in serious injury (see _ chapter 12).
Note: this procedure is time-consuming and labor-intensive, even for an experienced auto mechanic. Due to the fact that the instrument panel contains many electrical connectors and elements of safety systems, and also because it has many small fasteners, it is not recommended to remove it yourself.
1. Set the front wheels in a straight-ahead direction and lock the steering column, then disconnect the negative battery cable (see chapter 1).
2. Turn off the power to the SRS system (see chapter 12).
Instrument panel upper trim
3. Using a suitable tool, detach the inner facing strips of the windshield pillars.
4. Carefully pull out the latches located along the upper trim of the instrument panel (see illustration).
26.4. Carefully pry and detach the upper trim from the instrument panel
5. Locate the light sensor, which is located in the center of the top trim. Rotate the sensor 1 2/4 turns counterclockwise to disengage it from the trim, then remove the trim from the instrument panel (see illustration).
26.5. Turn the outer level sensor counterclockwise until it touches the trim
6. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.
Dashboard
7. Turn off the power to the SRS system (see chapter 12).
8. Remove the upper trim of the instrument panel (see above).
9. Remove the center console (see subsection 23).
10. Remove all panels as described in subsection 24. It is also necessary to remove the instrument panel (see chapter 12).
11. Disconnect the steering column from the instrument panel and lower it (see chapter 10). If you intend to remove the instrument panel support structure, remove the entire steering column.
12. Remove the left heater air duct (see chapter 10, illustration 17.7).
13. Remove the radio (see chapter 12) If the design provides for front height speakers, remove them.
14. Remove the heater/air conditioner control panel and disconnect its wiring harness from the holder (see chapter 3)
15. Remove the covers located at each end of the instrument panel, then B;, tighten the screws that secure each end (see illustration)
26.15. Detach the cover located on each side of the instrument panel and remove the screw located underneath it
16. Unscrew the lower fastening bolts located on the right side of the instrument panel, as well as the bolts located in the center (radio opening), and the bolts that are located in the opening of the instrument panel (see illustrations).
26.16a. Remove the screws located at the bottom right of the dashboard...
26.16b....as well as a screw located in the opening of the radio receiver
26.16s....and the screws located in the opening of the instrument panel
17. Remove the bolts along the top edge of the dashboard (see illustrations).
26.17a. Unscrew the screws located on the top left edge of the instrument panel...
26.17b....and on the right edge, then make sure that all elements are disconnected and remove the instrument panel
18. Ask an assistant for help and remove the instrument panel
19. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.
Instrument panel holder
20. The instrument panel holder is a complex component that supports the steering column, heater/air conditioner remote control and other elements. The holder is removed along with the HVAC module, which contains the heater heat exchanger and the air conditioner evaporator (see _ chapter 3).