Warning! The car models covered in this manual are equipped with an additional security system (SRS). Before doing any work near the airbag unit, steering column or instrument panel, turn off the SRS to avoid injury if it is accidentally deployed (see chapter Onboard electrical equipment). SRS circuit wiring is easily identified by the yellow color of the insulation.
Note. The procedure for dismantling the instrument panel seems to be quite complicated and it would be more correct to entrust it to car service specialists.
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
Attention! If the stereo system installed in the car is equipped with a security code, before disconnecting the battery, make sure that you have the correct combination to activate the audio system!
2. Remove the center console (see Section Removal and installation of the center console).
3. Remove the sections of the casing of the steering column (see Section Removal and installation of sections of a casing of a steering column).
4. Remove the dashboard trim (see Section Removal and installation of finishing sections of the panel of devices).
5. Remove the instrument panel (see chapter Onboard electrical equipment).
6. Remove the finishing sections of the instrument panel (see Section Removal and installation of finishing sections of the panel of devices)
7. Remove the radio and the control panel for the operation of the heater / air conditioner (see chapters Cooling, heating systems and Onboard electrical equipment).
8. Remove forward overlays of thresholds of both forward doors. The pads are attached by means of clamps and to separate them, it is enough just to pry them off with a suitable tool.
9. Remove panels of finishing of racks of a windscreen.
10. The passenger airbag assembly is attached to the rear of the instrument panel. Disconnect the relevant electrical wiring, remove the bolts securing the lower part of the airbag module to the instrument panel reinforcing beam.
Note. The bolts have TORX heads, are sealed and released/tightened with a special wrench.
11. Prying off, remove the windshield vents and unscrew the upper bolts of the instrument panel located under them.
12. Loosen other fasteners and disconnect all wiring connected to panel-mounted controls. Pull the panel back and remove it from the vehicle.
13. In the center of the instrument panel/console assembly support bracket, remove the body control module (VSM), - pre-mark all electrical wiring connected to the module. Also remove the ECM (see chapter Engine management systems).
14. Having given away the top and bottom fasteners, remove the two vertical support brackets located in the central part of the reinforcement beam. Unscrew the fixing bolts and remove the internal fuse mounting block and the hood lock release lever from the reinforcing beam.
15. Lower the steering column, taking it away from the reinforcement beam of the instrument panel (see Section Removal and installation of the heater heat exchanger).
16. Mark and disconnect the electroconducting brought to an intensifying beam of the panel of devices. Turn out fixing bolts, tilt a beam and take it out of the car (right end first).
17. Installation is carried out in the reverse order.