Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

1. Disarm airbag, refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts/Air Bags (Supplemental Restraint Systems)/Service and Repair.

Fig. 16 Instrument Panel Upper Pad:

2. Remove instrument panel upper pad as follows:
a. Remove three screws from defroster trough.
b. Remove four screws under brow.
c. Remove three screws from lower edge of pad above glove box.
d. Slide pad rearward to remove.
3. Remove both side A-pillar trim covers as follows:
a. Loosen end attaching screws on windshield header upper garnish moulding and roof rail garnish mouldings.
b. Remove one A-pillar trim cover attaching screw, then the trim cover.

Fig. 17 Right Side Lower Trim Panel & Forward Console 4-door:

4. On Reliant 4-door models, remove right side lower trim panel from under glove box as follows:
a. Remove three trim panel attaching screws below glove box.
b. Remove console attaching clip by pushing forward on left end of trim panel.
c. Rotate panel downward, then slide side cowl attaching bracket over side cowl attaching button head.
5. On all models, remove both side cowl trim covers as follows:
a. Remove four front scuff plate attaching screws, then the front scuff plates.
b. Remove two cowl side trim panel attaching screws.
c. Pull panel out from bottom, then remove from vehicle.

Fig. 18 Lower Steering Column Cover:

6. Remove lower steering column cover.
7. Disconnect parking brake release rod from parking brake mechanism.
8. On column shift models equipped with automatic transaxle, disconnect shift indicator wire.
9. On all models, remove column wiring harness from clip on lower column bracket.
10. Remove three nuts from lower portion of column and two nuts from upper portion, then lower steering column.

Fig. 19 Ash Receiver Assembly:

11. Remove forward console, if equipped, as follows:
a. Remove two screws from from lower console bracket to floor pan.
b. Remove ash receiver assembly as follows: (1) Remove receptacle, then remove two screws from upper receiver housing and one screw attaching housing to lower reinforcement; (2) Pull receiver housing rearward, disconnect ash receiver light wiring harness, unclip harness from housing, then remove receiver housing.
c. Remove two screws located behind ash receiver.
d. Slide forward console assembly away from instrument panel, disconnect lower storage box light connector, then remove console.

Fig. 20 Rear Console Attaching Bolts:

12. Remove rear console, if equipped, as follows:
a. Remove two screws from stowage box floor.
b. Remove two screws from sides of console near the bottom.
c. Remove two screws from rear of console on either side of stowage bin, then remove console.
13. Loosen instrument panel pivot bolts.
14. Remove four screws attaching instrument panel to cowl panel.
15. Allow instrument panel to roll down slightly, then disconnect remaining electrical, vacuum and control cable connections.
16. With the aid of a helper, remove panel pivot bolts, then the instrument panel from vehicle.
17. Reverse procedure to install.
18. Refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ARMING/DISARMING to reactivate airbag.