Instrument Panel (IP) - Trim Panel Replacement - Lower

Instrument Panel (I/P) Trim Panel Replacement - Lower (Impala)

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad Clip Remover

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to Restraint System Service Precautions in Service Precautions.

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 and SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 5 in Restraint Systems.

Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in Service Precautions.

2. Disconnect the battery ground cable.




3. Release the left instrument panel (I/P) insulator tabs from the lower I/P trim pad retainers.
4. Rotate the courtesy lamp counterclockwise in order to disconnect the courtesy lamp from the left I/P insulator.
5. Remove the left I/P insulator from the stud at the accelerator pedal.
6. Remove the left I/P insulator.
7. Remove the left I/P fuse block access hole cover.




8. Remove the bolts from the steering column opening filler panel.
9. Release the filler panel retainers from the lower trim panel. Carefully lower the filler panel away from the trim panel.
10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the rear compartment release switch.
11. Remove the steering column opening filler panel.




12. Remove the I/P driver knee bolster bracket screws.
13. Remove the knee bolster bolts at the I/P lower trim panel.
14. Remove the knee bolster bolts at the instrument carrier. Remove the I/P driver knee bolster.




15. Remove the access opening cover from the right I/P.
16. Use J 38778 in order to remove the push-in retainer from the right I/P insulator.
17. Release the right I/P insulator from the I/P lower trim panel.
18. Rotate the courtesy lamp counterclockwise in order to remove the lamp from the right I/P insulator.
19. Remove the right I/P insulator.




20. Remove the I/P compartment screws.
21. Open the I/P compartment.
22. Carefully remove the I/P compartment.
23. Remove the floor console, if equipped.
24. Remove the steering column.




25. Using a small, flat-bladed tool, carefully remove the ignition switch cylinder bezel.




26. Remove the screws from the I/P cluster trim plate.
27. Beginning at the right, grasp the trim plate and carefully pull rearward.
28. Continue working around the trim plate until you have released all of the retainers from the trim pad.
29. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the hazard switch and from the traction control switch, if equipped.
30. Remove the I/P cluster trim plate.
31. Remove the ignition switch bolts and reposition the ignition switch.
32. Remove the radio.
33. Remove the HVAC control assembly.
34. Remove the headlamp switch. Disconnect the electrical connector from the headlamp switch.
35. Remove the hood latch release handle.




36. Disconnect the data link connector.
37. Remove the garnish moldings from the left and the right windshield pillar.




38. Starting at the right side, carefully lift upwards on the I/P upper trim panel in order to release the retainers. Continue working to the left until you have released all of the retainers.
39. Disconnect the daytime running lamps sensor from the I/P upper trim panel.
40. Remove the I/P upper trim panel.
41. Disconnect the electrical connector from the remote keyless entry (RKE) module.
42. Remove the RKE module.




43. Remove the I/P upper trim pad screws. Release the I/P insulator retainers near the windshield.
44. Remove the I/P upper trim pad.
45. Remove the I/P cluster.
46. Remove the SIR inflator module.




47. Remove the screws that secure the I/P lower trim panel to the cross-car beam.
48. Reposition the I/P wiring harness.
49. Remove the I/P lower trim panel from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure




1. Position the I/P lower trim panel within the vehicle.
2. Reposition the I/P wiring harness.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the screws which secure the I/P lower trim panel to the cross vehicle beam in the order indicated in the graphic.

Tighten the screws to 10 N.m (89 lb in).

4. Install the SIR inflator module.
5. Install the I/P cluster.




6. Install the screws which secure the I/P lower trim panel to the passenger knee bolster.

Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 lb in).




7. Position the I/P upper trim pad to the I/P. Install the I/P insulator retainers near the windshield.
8. Install the I/P upper trim pad screws.

* Tighten the horizontal screws to 2 N.m (18 lb in).
* Tighten the vertical screws to 10 N.m (89 lb in).




9. Install the remote keyless entry (RKE) module.
10. Connect the RKE module electrical connector.
11. Position the I/P upper trim panel to the upper I/P. Connect the daytime running lamps (DRL) sensor to the I/P upper trim panel. Verify that the DRL sensor wiring harness is not pinched when you install the panel.
12. Starting at the left side, install the trim panel retainers to the upper I/P. Continue working to the right until you have installed all of the retainers.
13. Install the garnish moldings to the right and to the left windshield pillar.




14. Install the data link connector. Install the screws that secure the data link connector.

Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 lb in).




15. Install the hood latch release handle.
16. Install the headlamp switch.
17. Install the HVAC control assembly.
18. Install the radio.
19. Install the ignition switch.
20. Install the I/P cluster trim plate to the I/P lower trim panel.
21. Connect the electrical connectors to the hazard switch and to the traction control switch, if equipped.
22. Carefully press the I/P cluster trim plate into the I/P lower trim panel. Fully engage all of the retainers.
23. Install the I/P cluster trip plate screws.

Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 lb in).




24. Install the ignition switch cylinder bezel.
25. Install the steering column.
26. Install the floor console, if equipped.




27. Align the I/P compartment to the opening.
28. Install the I/P compartment screws.

Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 lb in).

29. Close the I/P compartment. Verify that the compartment is properly aligned. Adjust as required.




30. Position the right I/P insulator to the vehicle. Insert the retainer into the insulator.
31. Rotate the courtesy lamp clockwise in order to connect the lamp to the insulator.
32. Align and install the right I/P insulator with the push-in retainer.
33. Lift upward on the insulator. Install the insulator tabs to the I/P lower trim panel.




34. Install the right I/P fuse block access opening cover.




35. Align the driver knee bolster bracket to the I/P. Install the bolts to the knee bolster at the instrument carrier in the sequence shown.

Tighten the bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).

36. Install the knee bolster bolts to the I/P lower trim panel.

Tighten the bolts to 2 N.m (18 lb in).

37. Install the I/P driver knee bolster bracket screws.

Tighten the screws to 10 N.m (89 lb in).




38. Position the filler panel for the steering column opening to the vehicle. Install the rear compartment release switch.
39. Connect the electrical connector to the rear compartment release switch
40. Align the filler panel to the I/P lower trim panel. Install the filler panel retainers to the I/P lower trim panel.
41. Install the filler panel bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 2 N.m (18 lb in).




42. Install the access opening cover to the left I/P.
43. Position the left I/P insulator to the vehicle. Install the insulator to the stud at the accelerator pedal.
44. Rotate the courtesy lamp clockwise in order to connect the courtesy lamp to the left I/P insulator.
45. Install the left I/P insulator tabs to the lower I/P trim pad.
46. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 and SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 5 in Restraint Systems.
47. Connect the battery ground cable.