Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 776

The steering column opening cover with its inte-

gral knee blocker located on the driver side of the
instrument panel works in conjunction with the air-
bag system in a frontal vehicle impact to keep the
driver properly positioned for an airbag deployment.
In addition, removal of this component provides
access to the steering column mounts, the steering
column wiring, the Junction Block (JB) (removal of a
snap-fit end cap on the left outboard end of the
instrument panel allows access to the fuses and cir-
cuit breakers), and much of the instrument panel
wiring.

In a frontal collision, the glove box door on the pas-

senger side of the instrument panel provides the
same function for the front seat passenger as the
knee blocker does for the driver. The glove box door
also incorporates a recessed latch handle. Removal of
the glove box provides access to the passenger airbag,
the glove box lamp and switch, the radio antenna
coaxial cable, and additional instrument panel wir-
ing.

Removal of the instrument panel cluster bezel

allows access to the headlamp switch, the instrument
cluster, the radio, the passenger airbag on-off switch
(if equipped), the rear window defogger switch (if
equipped), the four-wheel drive transfer case switch
(if equipped), and the heating and air conditioning
control. Removal of the instrument cluster allows
access to the cluster illumination and indicator bulbs,
and more of the instrument panel wiring. Complete
instrument panel removal is required for service of
most components internal to the heating and air con-
ditioning system housing, including the heater core
and the evaporator.

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for

more information on the features, use and operation
of all of the components and systems mounted on or
in the instrument panel.

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRU-
MENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SER-
VICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO
MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR
TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to
turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in
the straight-ahead position.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Remove the defroster grille from the instru-

ment panel (Fig. 2). (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRU-
MENT PANEL/DEFROSTER GRILLE - REMOVAL).

(3) Remove the end caps from the left and right

outboard ends of the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/INSTRUMENT

PANEL END CAP - REMOVAL).

(4) Remove the trim from the left and right cowl

side inner panels. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/
COWL TRIM COVER - REMOVAL).

(5) Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument

panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - REMOVAL).

(6) Remove the steering column opening cover

from the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPEN-
ING COVER - REMOVAL).

(7) Remove the lower bezel from the instrument

panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PAN-
EL/IP LOWER RIGHT CENTER BEZEL - REMOV-
AL).

Fig. 2 Instrument Panel

1 - DEFROSTER GRILLE
2 - CLUSTER BEZEL
3 - TOP COVER
4 - LOWER BEZEL
5 - END CAP
6 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

23 - 92

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM (Continued)

(8) If the vehicle is so equipped, remove the con-

sole from the floor panel transmission tunnel. (Refer
to

BODY/INTERIOR/FLOOR

CONSOLE

REMOVAL).

(9) From under the passenger side end of the

instrument panel, perform the following:

(a) Disconnect the two halves of the radio

antenna coaxial cable connector.

(b) If the vehicle is equipped with the Infinity

sound system option, disconnect the two instru-
ment panel wire harness connectors for the ampli-
fier from the connector receptacles on the bottom of
the amplifier on the right cowl side inner panel.

panel wire harness ground take out eyelet terminal
connector to the ground stud on the right cowl side
inner panel, and remove the eyelet terminal from
the stud.
(10) From under the driver side end of the instru-

ment panel, perform the following:

(a) Remove the two screws that secure the inside

hood release bracket to the instrument panel.

(b) Disengage the 16-way data link connector

from the inside hood release bracket and lower the
release handle and bracket to the floor.

ness connector for the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) on the floor panel transmission tunnel from
the ACM connector receptacle.

(d) Remove the two screws that secure the

instrument panel wire harness ground take out
eyelet terminal connectors to the left side of the
ACM mounting bracket on the floor panel trans-
mission tunnel.

(e) Disconnect the two instrument panel wire

harness connectors for the Central Timer Module
(CTM) on the left cowl side inner panel from the
two outboard connector receptacles on the CTM.

(f) Remove the nut that secures the instrument

panel wire harness ground take out eyelet terminal
connector to the ground stud on the left cowl side
inner panel, and remove the eyelet terminal from
the stud.

(g) Disconnect the instrument panel wire har-

ness connector for the park brake switch from the
switch terminal on the park brake mechanism.

(h) Disconnect the instrument panel wire har-

ness connector for the brake lamp switch from the
switch connector receptacle.

(i) Remove the screw that secures the center of

the instrument panel wire harness bulkhead con-
nector to the headlamp and dash wire harness
bulkhead connector and disconnect the connector.

(j) Disconnect the two body wire harness connec-

tors from the two instrument panel wire harness

connectors that are piggybacked on the bulkhead
connector.

(k) Disconnect the body wire harness connector

from the connector receptacle on the back of the
Junction Block (JB).

(l) Disconnect the two headlamp and dash wire

harness connectors from the connector receptacles
on the back of the JB.
(11) Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - REMOVAL).

(12) Loosen the right and left instrument panel

cowl side roll-down bracket screws about 13 mm
(0.50 inch).

(13) Remove the two screws that secure the instru-

ment panel end brackets to each A-pillar.

(14) Remove the two screws that secure the instru-

ment panel center bracket to the ACM mounting
bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel.

(15) Remove the five screws that secure the top of

the instrument panel to the top of the dash panel,
removing the center screw last.

(16) Roll down the instrument panel and install a

temporary hook in the center hole on top of the
instrument panel. Secure the other end of the hook
to the center hole in the top of the dash panel. The
hook should support the instrument panel in its
rolled down position about 46 cm (18 inches) from
the dash panel.

(17) With the instrument panel supported in the

roll-down position, disconnect the instrument panel
wire harness connector from the heater-A/C housing
wire harness connector.

(18) With the aid of an assistant, remove the tem-

porary hook and lift the instrument panel assembly
off of the roll-down bracket screws and remove it
from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM

23 - 93

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM (Continued)

(1) With the aid of an assistant, load the instru-

ment panel assembly onto the roll-down bracket
screws on the cowl side inner panels in the vehicle.
Install a temporary hook in the center hole on top of
the instrument panel. Secure the other end of the
hook to the center hole in the top of the dash panel.
The hook should support the instrument panel in its
rolled down position about 46 cm (18 inches) from
the dash panel.

(2) With the instrument panel supported in the

roll-down position, reconnect the instrument panel
wire harness connector to the heater-A/C housing
wire harness connector.

(3) Remove the temporary hook from the instru-

ment panel and roll the instrument panel up to its
installed position against the dash panel.

(4) Install and tighten the five screws that secure

the top of the instrument panel to the top of the dash
panel (Fig. 2). Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (17 in.
lbs.).

(5) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the instrument panel center bracket to the Airbag
Control Module (ACM) mounting bracket on the floor
panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 11
N·m (95 in. lbs.).

(6) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the instrument panel end brackets to each A-pillar.
Tighten the screws to 11 N·m (95 in. lbs.).

(7) Tighten the right and left instrument panel

cowl side roll-down bracket screws. Tighten the
screws to 28 N·m (21 ft. lbs.).

(8) Reinstall the steering column into the vehicle.

(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - INSTALLA-
TION).

(9) From under the driver side end of the instru-

ment panel, perform the following:

(a) Reconnect the two headlamp and dash wire

harness connectors to the connector receptacles on
the back of the Junction Block (JB).

(b) Reconnect the body wire harness connector to

the connector receptacle on the back of the JB.

tors to the two instrument panel wire harness con-
nectors that are piggybacked on the bulkhead
connector.

(d) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness

bulkhead connector to the headlamp and dash wire
harness bulkhead connector and tighten the screw
that secures the center of the connector. Tighten
the screw to 4 N·m (31 in. lbs.).

(e) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the brake lamp switch to the switch
connector receptacle.

(f) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the park brake switch to the switch
terminal on the park brake mechanism.

(g) Reinstall the instrument panel wire harness

ground take out eyelet terminal connector to the
ground stud on the left cowl side inner panel, and
install and tighten the nut that secures the eyelet
terminal to the stud. Tighten the nut to 12 N·m
(105 in. lbs.).

(h) Reconnect the two instrument panel wire

harness connectors for the Central Timer Module
(CTM) on the left cowl side inner panel to the two
outboard connector receptacles on the CTM.

(i) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the instrument panel wire harness ground take out
eyelet terminal connectors to the left side of the
ACM mounting bracket on the floor panel trans-
mission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 12 N·m (105
in. lbs.).

(j) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the ACM on the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel to the ACM connector receptacle.

(k) Engage the 16-way data link connector into

the inside hood release bracket and position the
release handle and bracket to the instrument
panel.

(l) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the inside hood release bracket to the instrument
panel. Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (17 in. lbs.).
(10) From under the passenger side end of the

instrument panel, perform the following:

(a) Reconnect

the

two

halves

the

radio

antenna coaxial cable connector.

(b) If the vehicle is equipped with the Infinity

sound system option, reconnect the two instrument
panel wire harness connectors for the amplifier to
the connector receptacles on the bottom of the
amplifier on the right cowl side inner panel.

ground take out eyelet terminal connector to the
ground stud on the right cowl side inner panel, and
install and tighten the nut. Tighten the nut to 12
N·m (105 in. lbs.).
(11) If the vehicle is so equipped, reinstall the con-

sole onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. (Refer
to

BODY/INTERIOR/FLOOR

CONSOLE

INSTALLATION).

(12) Reinstall the lower bezel onto the instrument

panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PAN-
EL/IP LOWER BEZEL - INSTALLATION).

(13) Reinstall the steering column opening cover

onto the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPEN-
ING COVER - INSTALLATION).

(14) Reinstall the cluster bezel onto the instru-

ment panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL - INSTALLATION).

23 - 94

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM (Continued)

(15) Reinstall the trim onto the left and right cowl

side inner panels. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/
COWL TRIM COVER - INSTALLATION).

(16) Reinstall the end caps onto the left and right

outboard ends of the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/INSTRUMENT

PANEL END CAP - INSTALLATION).

(17) Reinstall the defroster grille onto the instru-

ment panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL/DEFROSTER GRILLE - INSTALLATION)

(18) Reconnect the battery negative cable.

ASH RECEIVER

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument

panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - REMOVAL).

(3) Open the instrument panel ash receiver on the

instrument panel lower bezel (Fig. 3).

(4) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide

flat-bladed tool, gently pry between the upper edge of
the ash receiver housing and the instrument panel
lower bezel to disengage the two integral snap fea-
tures of the housing from the their receptacles in the
bezel.

(5) Pull the ash receiver and housing unit rear-

ward far enough to access and the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the cigar lighter.

(6) Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the cigar lighter from the receptacle on
the back of the lighter.

(7) Remove the ash receiver and housing unit from

the instrument panel lower bezel.

DISASSEMBLY

The push/push latch lever of the ash receiver and

housing unit used in this vehicle is serviced individ-
ually. Following are the procedures for disassembling
this component from the ash receiver and housing
unit.

(1) Remove the ash receiver and housing unit from

the instrument panel lower bezel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/ASH

RECEIVER

REMOVAL).

Fig. 3 Ash Receiver

1 - ASH RECEIVER HOUSING
2 - CLUSTER BEZEL
3 - CIGAR LIGHTER

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM

23 - 95

INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM (Continued)

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