Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER REPLACEMENT

IMPORTANT: When installing a new instrument panel carrier, do not remove the support rib located in the steering column opening until after it is attached to the hinge pillar tie bar for Chevrolet or the air distributor for Buick. The support rib will provide stability and facilitate alignment of locator pins.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

WARNING: THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR). REFER TO CAUTIONS, THE SIR COMPONENT AND WIRING LOCATION VIEW BEFORE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR AROUND SIR COMPONENTS OR WIRING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PERSONAL INJURY, OR OTHERWISE UNNEEDED SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.

Fig. 1 Instrument Panel Replacement (Chevrolet):

Fig. 2 Instrument Panel Replacement (Buick):

1. Disable SIR.
2. Ashtray and cigarette lighter.
3. Instrument panel compartment door.
4. Instrument panel cluster trim plate, if Chevrolet.
5. Windshield defroster nozzle grille.
6. If Chevrolet, instrument panel lower trim plate.
7. If Buick, instrument panel trim plate.
8. Instrument panel upper trim pad.
9. Instrument panel right-hand trim plate.
10. Instrument panel steering column opening filler.
11. Instrument panel driver side knee bolster and deflector.

NOTICE: Remove stoplamp switch before fully lowering the steering column. Failure to do may cause the stoplamp switch to become damaged or thrown out of adjustment resulting in a malfunctioning stoplamp switch or premature brake wear.

12. Stoplamp switch.
13. Instrument panel sound insulator panel.
14. AM/FM stereo and clock radio.
15. Instrument cluster.
16. Accessory switch panels.
17. Headlamp, instrument panel lamp and accessory switch panel and compartment.
18. Instrument panel lamp dimmer.
19. Rear compartment lid release switch.
20. Rear compartment lid release enable switch, if Buick.
21. Engine oil change reset switch.
22. Passenger SIR inflator module.
23. Inside air temperature sensor, if equipped.
24. Parking brake release handle.
25. Completely lower steering column.
26. Fifty-six way, ten way and eight way instrument panel harness connectors located just right of the steering column.
27. Temperature valve electric actuator and vacuum solenoid valve electrical connectors for Buick, temperature control cable at module for Chevrolet.
28. Instrument panel harness and antenna cable connectors at right hinge pillar.
29. Bolts/screws (96) and nut (97) attaching instrument panel lower brace (93) to carrier and dash panel.
30. Instrument panel lower brace (93).
31. Instrument panel carrier (94 or 100).
^ If Chevrolet, remove bolts/screws (95) attaching carrier (94) to hinge pillar tie bar (92).
^ If Buick, remove bolts/screws (101) and bolts/ screws (103) attaching carrier (100) to air distributor (102).
32. Instrument panel wiring harness from instrument panel.
^ Note instrument panel wiring harness routing before removal.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Instrument panel wiring harness to carrier (94 or 100).
2. Instrument panel carrier (94 or 100). If Chevrolet:
A. Align and engage four locator pins on carrier (94) to slots on hinge pillar tie bar (92).
B. Bolts/screws (95) attaching carrier to hinge pillar tie bar (92).
C. Bolt/screw (95) through lower reinforcement bracket (98) to right-hand hinge pillar.

TIGHTEN
* Bolts/screws (95) to 10 Nm (89 lb in). If Buick.

D. Align and engage carrier to locator pins on air distributor.
E. Bolts/screws (101) attaching upper area of carrier to air distributor (102).

TIGHTEN
* Bolts/screws (101) to 10 Nm (89 lb in).

3. Bolts/screws (103) to secure lower area of instrument panel carrier (100).

TIGHTEN
* Bolts/screws (103) to 1.9 Nm (17 lb in).

4. Instrument panel lower brace (93) Nut (97) attaching lower brace (93) to cowl.

TIGHTEN
* Nut (97) to 10 Nm (89 lb in).

5. Bolt/screw (96) attaching lower brace (93) to carrier (94 or 100).

TIGHTEN
* Bolt/screw (96) to 10 Nm (89 lb in).

6. Instrument panel harness and antenna cable connectors at right hinge pillar.
7. Temperature valve electric actuator and vacuum solenoid valve electrical connectors for Buick, temperature control cable at module for Chevrolet.
8. Fifty-six way, ten way and eight way instrument panel harness connectors located just right of the steering column.
9. Raise steering column.
10. Parking brake release handle.
11. Inside air temperature sensor, if removed.
12. Passenger SIR inflator module.
13. Engine oil change reset switch.
14. Rear compartment lid release switch.
15. Rear compartment lid release enable switch, if Buick.
16. Instrument panel lamp dimmer.
17. Headlamp, instrument panel lamp and accessory switch panel and compartment.
18. Instrument cluster.
19. Accessory switch panel.
20. AM/FM stereo and clock radio.
21. Instrument panel sound insulator panel.
22. Stoplamp switch.
23. Instrument panel driver knee bolster and deflector.
24. Instrument panel steering column opening filler.
25. Instrument panel right-hand trim plate.
26. Instrument panel upper trim pad.
27. If Chevrolet, instrument panel lower trim plate.
28. If Buick, instrument panel trim plate.
29. Windshield defroster nozzle grille.
30. Instrument panel cluster trim plate, if Chevrolet.
31. Instrument panel compartment door.
32. Ashtray and cigarette lighter.
33. Enable SIR.