GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1999 🢒 Monte Carlo 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console 🢒 Instrument Panel Trim Pad Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    Caution: This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause the following conditions:

       • Air bag deployment
       • Personal injury
       • Unnecessary SIR system repairs
    In order to avoid the above conditions, observe the following guidelines:
       • Refer to SIR Component Views in order to determine if you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring.
       • If you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System.

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  2. Disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.
  3. Remove the IP steering column opening filler panel screws.
  4. Remove the IP steering column opening filler panel retainer.
  5. Disconnect the electrical connector from the rear compartment lid release switch.
  6. Remove the IP steering column opening filler panel and the LH IP insulator.

    7. Object Number: 292810 Size: SH
  7. Remove the instrument panel (IP) driver knee bolster inner bracket bolts (2).
  8. Remove the IP driver knee bolster (3).
  9. Disconnect the driver side inflatable restraint module electrical connector.

    10. Object Number: 478484 Size: SH
  10. Use the J 38778 in order to remove the RH IP insulator retainers.
  11. Remove the RH IP insulator.
  12. Remove the IP compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Replacement .
  13. Disconnect the passenger side inflatable restraint module electrical connector.
  14. Remove the floor console, if equipped. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement .
  15. Remove the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
  16. Remove the two cross car beam bolts at the brake pedal support bracket.

    17. Object Number: 479688 Size: SH
  17. Remove the lower brake pedal bracket brace bolts.

    18. Object Number: 292445 Size: SH
  18. Grasp the instrument panel (IP) cluster trim plate (2) at one edge and carefully pull to release the retainers. Carefully work your way around the entire IP cluster trim plate.
  19. Remove the IP cluster trim plate.
  20. Remove the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.
  21. Remove the HVAC control assembly. Refer to Control Assembly Replacement in HVAC.

    22. Object Number: 479410 Size: SH
  22. Remove the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
  23. Carefully pull the headlamp switch rearward in order to release the switch from the retainers.
  24. Disconnect the headlamp switch electrical connector and remove the headlamp switch.

    25. Object Number: 478938 Size: SH
  25. Remove IP upper trim pad and disconnect the daytime running lamp (DRL) sensor. Refer to Instrument Panel Upper Trim Pad Replacement .
  26. Remove the inflatable restraint instrument panel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement in SIR.
  27. Remove the IP nameplate and the RH IP air outlet vent panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Air Outlet Vent Replacement .
  28. Remove the windshield side upper garnish moldings. Refer to Garnish Molding Replacement - Upper in Interior Trim.
  29. Remove the front door inside carpet retainers. Refer to Carpet Retainer Replacement in Interior Trim.

    30. Object Number: 292435 Size: SH
  30. Remove the data link connector screws (3) and lower the data link connector away from the IP.
  31. Remove the LH front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts.
  32. Remove the two IP trim pad screws at the top of the IP toward the front of the vehicle.
  33. Remove the RH front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts.
  34. Remove the SIR connector from the IP.
  35. Remove the IP fuse block access opening cover.
  36. Release the retainers and reposition the fuse block inward, away from the IP trim pad.
  37. Remove the IP compartment lamp switch with the IP compartment lamp switch bracket.
  38. Remove the HVAC module-to-IP air duct HVAC tubes.
  39. Remove the wiring harness tie strap at the IP.
  40. Disconnect the IP wiring harness retaining clips.
  41. Disconnect the IP wiring harness at the cross car beam.
  42. With the aid of an assistant, carefully remove the IP.
  43. Remove the main air distribution duct screws.
  44. Remove the main air distribution duct from the IP.
  45. Remove the IP lower tie bar screws.
  46. Remove the IP center support screws.
  47. Remove the IP lower trim panel screws and washers.
  48. Remove the cross car beam from the IP.

Installation Procedure

    Caution: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    Caution: This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause the following conditions:

       • Air bag deployment
       • Personal injury
       • Unnecessary SIR system repairs
    In order to avoid the above conditions, observe the following guidelines:
       • Refer to SIR Component Views in order to determine if you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring.
       • If you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System.

  1. Install the cross car beam to the instrument panel (IP).

    2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  2. Install the IP lower trim panel washers and screws.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the IP lower trim panel screws to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).

  3. Install the IP center support screws.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the IP center support screws to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).

  4. Install the IP lower tie bar screws.

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the IP lower tie bar screws to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).

  5. Install the main air distribution duct to the IP.
  6. Install the main air distribution duct screws.

    7. Tighten
    Tighten the main air distribution duct screws to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

  7. With the aid of an assistant, carefully install the IP to the vehicle.
  8. Connect the IP wiring harness at the cross car beam.
  9. Connect the IP wiring harness retaining clips.
  10. Install a new tie strap around the IP wiring harness at the IP.
  11. Install the HVAC module-to-IP air duct HVAC tubes.
  12. Install the IP compartment lamp switch with the IP compartment lamp switch bracket.
  13. Install the fuse block to the IP.
  14. Install the IP fuse block access opening cover.
  15. Install the SIR connector to the IP.
  16. Install the RH front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts.

    17. Tighten
    Tighten the front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).

  17. Install the two IP trim pad screws at the top of the IP toward the front of the vehicle.

    18. Tighten
    Tighten the IP trim pad screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  18. Install the LH front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts.

    19. Tighten
    Tighten the front hinge pillar (A pillar) tie bar bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).


    Object Number: 292435 Size: SH
  19. Position the data link connector to the IP.

    20. Install the data link connector screws (3).

    Tighten
    Tighten the data link connector screws to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

  20. Install the front door inside carpet retainers. Refer to Carpet Retainer Replacement in Interior Trim.
  21. Install the windshield side upper garnish moldings. Refer to Garnish Molding Replacement - Upper in Interior Trim.
  22. Install the RH IP air outlet vent panel and the IP name plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Upper Trim Pad Replacement .
  23. Install the inflatable restraint instrument panel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement in SIR.

    24. Object Number: 478938 Size: SH
  24. Connect the daytime running lamp (DRL) sensor and install the IP upper trim pad. Refer to Instrument Panel Air Outlet Vent Replacement .
  25. Connect the headlamp switch electrical connector and install the headlamp switch.
  26. Carefully push the headlamp switch into the IP opening in order to engage the retainers.

    27. Object Number: 479410 Size: SH
  27. Install the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
  28. Install the HVAC control assembly. Refer to Control Assembly Replacement in HVAC.
  29. Install the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.

    30. Object Number: 292445 Size: SH
  30. Align the IP cluster trim plate (2) to the IP retainers.
  31. Carefully press the IP cluster trim plate to secure the trim plate to the IP retainers.

    32. Object Number: 479688 Size: SH
  32. Install the lower brake pedal bracket brace screws.

    33. Tighten
    Tighten the lower brake pedal bracket brace screws to 3 N·m (27 lb in).

  33. Install the two cross car beam bolts at the brake pedal support bracket.
  34. Install the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
  35. Install the floor console, if equipped. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement .
  36. Connect the passenger side inflatable restraint module electrical connector.
  37. Install the IP compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Replacement .

    38. Object Number: 478484 Size: SH

    Important: Make sure that the RH IP insulator does not block the floor heater outlet.

  38. Position the RH IP insulator to the lower IP.
  39. Install the RH IP insulator retainers.
  40. Connect the driver side inflatable restraint module electrical connector.

    41. Object Number: 292810 Size: SH
  41. Install the instrument panel (IP) driver knee bolster (3) to the IP.
  42. Install the IP driver knee bolster inner bracket bolts (2).

    43. Tighten
    Tighten the IP driver knee bolster inner bracket bolts (2) to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).


    Object Number: 292702 Size: SH
  43. Connect the electrical connector (5) to the rear compartment lid release switch.
  44. Position the (IP) steering column opening filler panel (4) and the LH IP insulator to the IP.
  45. Install and finger tighten the IP steering column opening filler panel screws (2).

    46. Tighten

    1. Tighten the RH IP steering column opening filler screw first in order to properly install the IP steering column opening filler panel.

      2. Tighten the RH IP steering column opening filler panel screw to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).

    2. Tighten the LH IP steering column opening filler panel screw to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).
  46. Enable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.
  47. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.