GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Blazer - 4WD - RHD 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console 🢒 Instrument Panel Carrier Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 404080 Size: SH

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. On vehicles equipped with manual transmission, remove the shift lever. Refer to Control Lever and/or Boot Replacement in Manual Transmission.
  3. On vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, shift the transmission to the "1" position.
  4. Remove the left instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side .
  5. Remove the right instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side .
  6. Remove the center instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement .
  7. Remove the knee bolster trim panel. Refer to Driver Knee Bolster Panel Replacement .

    8. Object Number: 385319 Size: SH

    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.

  8. Disable the passenger SIR system connector. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.
  9. Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement .
  10. Remove the instrument panel accessory trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement .
  11. Remove the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.
  12. Remove the cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
  13. Remove the HVAC control module. Refer to HVAC Control Module Replacement in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
  14. Disconnect the steering column electrical connector from the body wiring harness. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.
  15. Remove the steering column mounting nuts and allow the column to lay down on the seat. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.

    16. Object Number: 403857 Size: SH
  16. Remove the left and right speaker grilles. Refer to Radio Front Speaker Replacement in Entertainment.
  17. Use a flat-bladed tool in order to remove the windshield defroster grille. Retain the grille for use on the next IP carrier.
  18. Remove the top instrument panel screws underneath the windshield defroster grille.
  19. Remove the lower right instrument panel mounting bolt.
  20. Open the instrument panel storage compartment door.
  21. Push the J spring up in order to open the instrument storage compartment door out and down. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Door Replacement .
  22. Reach through the instrument panel storage compartment opening and perform the following steps:
    23. 22.1. Remove the lower left instrument panel mounting bolt.
    22.2. Remove the screw retaining the instrument panel electrical connector to the body connector block located below the HVAC air inlet vacuum actuator.
    22.3. Disconnect the instrument panel electrical connector from the body connector.
    22.4. Close the instrument panel storage compartment door.
  23. Disconnect the instrument panel wiring connector from the body wiring connect located at lower right side of the instrument panel.
  24. Remove the body control module. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System.

    25. Object Number: 404071 Size: SH
  25. Remove the bolts retaining the knee bolster bracket to the instrument panel intermediate bracket.

    26. Important: Place protective material on top of steering column and on top of the center floor console to prevent damage to the instrument panel when tilting panel down.

  26. Tilt the instrument panel down.
  27. Disconnect the antenna cable from the back of the radio.
  28. Remove the antenna cable retainers from the instrument panel. Refer to Radio Antenna Cable Extension Cable Replacement in Entertainment.
  29. With the help of an assistant, remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.
  30. If replacing the instrument panel, remove the following components:
    31. 30.1. Remove the air distributor duct assembly. Refer to Air Distributor Duct Replacement in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
    30.2. Remove the PSIR. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement in SIR.
    30.3. Remove the instrument panel storage compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Door Replacement .
    30.4. Remove the knee bolster intermediate brackets.
    30.5. Remove the wiring harness assembly from the instrument panel.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 404071 Size: SH
  1. Install the following components if removed:
    2. 1.1. Install the wiring harness assembly to the instrument panel.

    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.

    1.2.  Install the knee bolster intermediate brackets.

    Tighten
    Tighten the knee bolster intermediate bracket bolts to 6.3 N·m (56 lb in).

    1.3. Install the instrument panel storage compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Door Replacement .
    1.4. Install the PSIR. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement in SIR.
    1.5. Install the air distributor duct assembly. Refer to Air Distributor Duct Replacement .
  2. With the help of an assistant, install the instrument panel to the vehicle.
  3. Install the antenna cable retainers to the instrument panel. Refer to Radio Antenna Cable Extension Cable Replacement in Entertainment.
  4. Connect the antenna cable to the back of the radio.
  5. Tilt the instrument panel forward into position.
  6. Install the bolts retaining the knee bolster bracket to the instrument panel knee bolster intermediate bracket.

    7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 6.3 N·m (56 lb in).


    Object Number: 403857 Size: SH
  7. Install the body control module. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System.
  8. Connect the instrument panel wiring connector to the body wiring connect located at lower right side of the instrument panel.
  9. Open the instrument panel storage compartment door.
  10. Push the J spring up in order to open the instrument storage compartment door out and down. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Door Replacement .
  11. Reach through the instrument panel storage compartment opening and perform the following:
    12. • Install the lower left instrument panel mounting bolt.

    Tighten
    Tighten the lower left-side instrument panel mounting bolt to 7.5 N·m (66 lb in).

    • Connect the instrument panel electrical connector to the body connector located below the HVAC air inlet vacuum actuator.
    • Install the screw retaining the instrument panel electrical connector to the body connector block.
    • Close the instrument panel storage compartment door.
  12. Install the lower right instrument panel mounting bolt.

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the lower right-side instrument panel mounting bolt to 11.5 N·m (102 lb in).


    Object Number: 385319 Size: SH
  13. Install the steering column mounting nuts. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.
  14. Install the top instrument panel screws underneath the windshield defroster grille.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).

  15. Install the windshield defroster grille.
  16. Install the left and right speaker grilles. Refer to Radio Front Speaker Replacement in Entertainment.
  17. Connect the steering column electrical connector to the body wiring harness. Refer to Steering Column Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.
  18. Install the HVAC control module. Refer to HVAC Control Module Replacement in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
  19. Install the cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
  20. Install the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement in Entertainment.
  21. Install the instrument panel accessory trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement .
  22. Install the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement .

    23. 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.

  23. Enable the passenger SIR system connector. Refer to Enabling the SIR System in SIR.

    24. Object Number: 404080 Size: SH
  24. Install the knee bolster trim panel. Refer to Driver Knee Bolster Panel Replacement .
  25. Install the center instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement .
  26. Install the right instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side .
  27. Install the left instrument panel sound insulator. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side .
  28. On vehicle equipped with automatic transmission, shift the transmission to the PARK position.
  29. On vehicles equipped with manual transmission, install the shift lever. Refer to Control Lever and/or Boot Replacement in Manual Transmission.

    30. Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

  30. Connect the negative battery cable.