Instrument Panel and Pad GM Full Size Vans 1987-1997 Repair Guide

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Buy It Here Today: DASH COVER - FRONT BULB - INTERIOR

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1987-95 Models

See Figures 1, 2 and 3

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. If equipped, disable the SIR system.

3. Loosen the instrument panel lower extension screws and remove the lower extension.

4. Disengage the cigarette lighter and lamp electrical connections.

5. Loosen the steering column opening filler screws.

6. Remove the knee bolster.

7. Loosen the lower instrument panel screws (4).

Fig. 1: Instrument panel lower mounting - 1987-95 models

8. Loosen the lower radio bracket screw, then use a prytool to remove the radio bezel.

9. Remove the radio screws (2) and disengage the antenna from the radio.

10. Disengage all the radio electrical connections.

11. Loosen the instrument cluster trim plate screws (6) and the lower instrument panel screws (2). Remove the cluster.

Fig. 2: Removing the instrument cluster - 1987-95 models

12. Slide the instrument panel forward, then tag and disengage the two cluster electrical connections.

13. Loosen the heater control assembly screws (3). Leave the assembly attached and position towards the cowl.

14. Tag and disengage the headlamp electrical connection. Pull out the rosebud to cigarette lighter harness connector located on instrument panel.

15. Remove the screws across the top of the instrument panel (8).

16. Loosen the two nuts on the lower side the steering column and lower column to seat.

17. Remove the left and right defogger ducts.

18. Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.

To install:

Fig. 3: Installing the instrument panel carrier - 1987-95 models

19. Install the instrument panel in the vehicle.

20. Connect the left and right defogger ducts.

21. Install the two nuts removed from the steering column.

22. Install the screws across the top of the instrument panel. Press in the rosebud to cigarette lighter electrical harness.

23. Engage the headlamp and instrument panel cluster electrical connections.

24. Install the cluster assembly and tighten the lower screws.

25. Install the cluster trim plate and fasten the screws.

26. Engage the radio electrical connections and the antenna.

27. Install the radio screws and the bezel by pushing the tabs into their slots.

28. Fasten the lower radio bracket screw, then the lower instrument panel screws.

29. Install the knee bolster.

30. Install the steering column opening filler and screws.

31. Install the instrument panel lower extension and lower and upper screws.

32. If equipped, enable the SIR system and connect the negative battery cables.

1996-97 Models

See Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Fig. 4: Removing the instrument lower extension - 1996-97 models

1. Turn the engine OFF and put the transmission in first gear.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and disable the SIR system.

3. Remove the instrument cluster lower trim filler panel.

4. Remove the instrument cluster trim panel and lower instrument panel center trim.

5. Remove the left and right knee bolsters and their brackets.

Fig. 5: Remove the passenger knee bolster ...

Fig. 6: ... then remove the inner and outer brackets

6. Remove the instrument panel assist handle and upper trim panel.

7. Remove the instrument panel lower extension and the engine cover.

8. Remove the radio or CD player and brackets, if equipped.

9. If equipped, remove the instrument panel storage compartments.

10. Remove the heating and A/C (HVAC) control panel.

11. Disengage the fasteners retaining the radio and heating and A/C wiring to the instrument panel carrier.

12. Unfasten the bolts retaining the steering column wiring harness and steering column to the instrument panel carrier.

13. Remove the instrument cluster and disengage the wiring harness from the instrument panel carrier.

14. Unfasten the bolts retaining the instrument panel carrier.

15. Slide the carrier forwards and downwards to gain access any other components.

16. Tag and disengage all electrical connections.

Do not disconnect any HVAC vacuum harness retainers from the air ducts

17. Disengage the HVAC vacuum connector at the lower right of the carrier.

18. Loosen the all air duct-to-instrument panel carrier screws and disconnect the air ducts from the carrier.

19. Remove the instrument panel carrier from the vehicle.

Fig. 7: Removing the instrument panel upper trim pad - 1996-97 models

To install:

20. Install the instrument panel carrier in the vehicle.

21. Connect the air ducts and tighten the screws.

22. Engage the HVAC vacuum harness at the lower cowl panel.

23. Engage the electrical connections to the components at the rear of the carrier.

Fig. 8: Engage the instrument panel harness (right side) electrical connections - 1987-95 models

24. Install the carrier on its mounting and tighten the bolts.

25. Engage the instrument cluster-to-carrier electrical connection and install the cluster.

26. Install the nuts connecting the steering column to the instrument panel carrier ten them to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).

27. Install the bolt retaining the wiring harness to the instrument panel carrier.

28. Engage the fasteners connecting the radio and HVAC wiring harness's to the instrument panel carrier.

29. Install the HVAC control panel and the instrument panel storage compartments, if equipped.

30. If equipped, install the radio and CD player brackets and components.

31. Install the engine cover and instrument panel lower extension.

32. Install the instrument panel upper trim pad and assist handle.

33. Install the right and left hand knee bolster bracket and the bolsters.

34. Install the instrument panel center trim and instrument cluster trim panel.

35. Install the instrument cluster lower trim filler panel.

36. Enable the SIR system and connect the negative battery cable.