Before removing the instrument panel, turn off the supplemental restraint system by isolating the negative
Battery Cable and then wait for two minutes so the capacitor discharges. See to it that you never strike or drop the occupant restraint controller since this will affect the working of the impact sensor. First replace the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), test the system, then replace the Occupant Classification Module (OCM). First, raise and hold up the vehicle, before you disconnect the steering column from the steering coupling. Drop the car fully and pull the steering column from the vehicle. After that, unbolt the silencers on the left and right side of the instrument panel and then take out the screws that secure the cover onto the instrument panel. Take out the
Steering Column Cover by removing the wire harness connector from the trunk release switch and the hood release cable from the hood release handle. Separate the screws joining the cover reinforcement panel to the bracket and untie the body wire harness from the instrument panel and transmission control module connectors. Take off the center floor console and the ash receiver from the instrument panel. Detach the ORC module wire harness connector from the instrument panel wire harness and disconnect the antenna coax from the line that runs to the instrument panel. Remove all the wire harness connectors that are not needed from the instrument panel loop. Take away both the A-pillar trim panels and the wire harness connectors found there. Pull off the end caps on the instrument panel and remove the bolts connecting the side supports. After that, take out the defroster grille to reveal and remove the top retaining bolts. At the end, take out the bolts at the base of the instrument panel, lift the assembly from its supports, feed the steering column end through the dash panel hole and pull the panel out through the passenger door. If needed, pop out the spring nuts from the dash panel.