HowToRepairGuide.com: Ho to remove control panel on Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Removal & Installation

CAUTION

Vehicles covered by this manual are equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system, which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SIR components, such as air bag module, steering column and instrument panel, disable the SIR.

Fig. Instrument panel accessory trim plate removal-Buick shown, others similar

Fig. Heater & A/C control panel removal. Top: Standard system; Bottom: Automatic System-Buick shown, others similar

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument cluster trim plate, using the following as a guide:
1. Remove the instrument panel access hole covers from the instrument panel using a small flat-bladed tool. Remove the screws from each end of the instrument panel cluster trim plate.
2. Remove the screws from the lower edge of the right lower instrument panel trim plate.
3. Open the instrument panel compartment door.
4. Pull the right lower instrument panel trim plate from the instrument panel.
5. Pull steering column tilt level and tilt the steering column to the lowest position.
6. Grasp the instrument panel cluster trim plate at the right edge, slowly pull an working from left to right, release the retainer clips. Lift the trim panel from the vehicle.

Remove the screws holding the heater & A/C control panel to the instrument panel and gently pull the assembly from the instrument panel. Detach the electrical connector(s) from the back of the panel. Some models may have a vacuum line connection that must also be removed.

Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Use care to make sure the retaining clips are properly seated and all screws are in place. This helps avoid rattles and squeaks later.

CAUTION

Fig. Instrument panel accessory trim plate removal-Pontiac shown, others similar

Fig. Heater & A/C control panel removal. Top: Standard system; Bottom: Automatic System-Pontiac shown, others similar

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument cluster trim plate, using the following as a guide:
1. Remove the left instrument panel insulator.
2. Remove the under-steering column opening filler panel.
3. Remove the knee bolster (knee pad) bracket.
4. Remove the nuts holding the steering column bracket to the instrument panel frame and allow the steering column to drop down.
5. Grasp the instrument panel trim plate bottom edge on both sides of the steering column and pull to release the retainer clips. Continue pulling to release the remainder of the clips.
6. Detach the electrical connector from the fog lamp switch, if equipped.
7. Remove the instrument panel cluster trim plate from the instrument panel.

Remove the screws holding the heater & A/C panel to the instrument panel and gently pull the assembly from the instrument panel. Detach the electrical connector(s) from the back of the panel. Some models may have a vacuum line connection that must also be removed.

Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Use care to make sure the retaining clips are properly seated and all screws are in place. This helps avoid rattles and squeaks later.

The heater & A/C controls are in the center of the instrument panel, above the audio system.

CAUTION

Vehicles covered by this manual are equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system (SIR), which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SIR components, such as air bag module, steering column and instrument panel, disable the SIR.

Fig. Instrument panel accessory trim plate removal-Chevrolet shown, others similar

Fig. Heater & A/C panel removal-Chevrolet shown, others similar

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument cluster trim plate, as follows:
1. Remove the retaining screws from the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
2. Pull the instrument panel accessory trim plate rearward to release the retainers.
3. Rotate the trim panel rearward and up to release the tabs at the top edge.

Remove the retaining screws from the heater & A/C control panels. Pull the control panel forward and unsnap the retainers at the ends. Detach the electrical connector(s) from the back of the panel. Some models may have a vacuum line connection that must also be removed.

Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Use care to make sure the retaining clips are properly seated and all screws are in place. This helps avoid rattles and squeaks later.

CAUTION

Fig. Exploded view of the instrument panel accessory trim plate and console trim plate-Oldsmobile Intrigue shown

Fig. Pull the heater & A/C control panel partially out, detach the electrical connector, then remove the control panel-Intrigue shown

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument panel accessory trim plate, as follows:
1. Remove the front floor console trim plate by removing the traction control switch. Use a small flat-bladed tool to carefully pry the traction control switch from the front console trim plate. Detach the electrical connector.
2. Open the front floor console compartment. Locate and remove the screws from the trim plate.
3. Pull up on the front floor console trim plate to release the retainer clips. Lift the trim plate up and over the transaxle shift lever and remove the trim plate from the vehicle.

Remove the instrument panel accessory trim plate from the instrument panel by releasing the retainers.

Remove the retaining screws and pull the heater & A/C control panel forward. Detach the electrical connectors from the rear of the panel and remove the control panel from the vehicle.

Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Use care when aligning the instrument panel accessory trim plate retainers in the slots in the instrument panel. Make sure the retainers are pushed into their slots until fully seated. The instrument panel trim plate is installed in the same manner. When installing the traction control switch, attach the electrical connector and press the switch into the front floor console trim plate until fully seated.

NOTE

Although the removal procedures for the heater & A/C control panel is similar across the W-Body car line, there are big differences in the shape and size of the trim panel that must be removed to access the control panel screws. On some vehicles, the trim panel is relatively small and easily removed. On other vehicles, the trim panel goes all the way across the instrument panel and may require removal of the center console, too. The trim panels are designed to be retained with a few screws and a number of clips. Trim panels change from year to year and there have been numerous audio panel and heater & A/C control options, but with some minor variations, the following procedures should suffice for the vehicles covered here. Work slowly and carefully. The clips are typically mounted to plastic tabs and are easily broken if handled roughly.

The heater & A/C controls are in the center of the instrument panel, above the audio system.

CAUTION

Vehicles covered are equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system (SIR), which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SIR components, such as air bag module, steering column and instrument panel, disable the SIR.

Fig. Instrument panel accessory trim plate removal-Chevrolet shown, others similar

Fig. Heater & A/C panel removal-Chevrolet shown, others similar

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument cluster trim plate, as follows:
1. Remove the retaining screws from the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
2. Pull the instrument panel accessory trim plate rearward to release the retainers.
3. Rotate the trim panel rearward and up to release the tabs at the top edge.

Remove the retaining screws from the heater & A/C control panels. Pull the control panel forward and unsnap the retainers at the ends. Detach the electrical connector(s) from the back of the panel. Some models may have a vacuum line connection that must also be removed.

Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Use care to make sure the retaining clips are properly seated and all screws are in place. This helps avoid rattles and squeaks later.

CAUTION

Vehicles covered are equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system, which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SIR components, such as air bag module, steering column and instrument panel, disable the SIR.

Fig. Instrument panel accessory trim plate removal-Pontiac shown, others similar

Fig. Heater & A/C control panel removal. Top: Standard system; Bottom: Automatic System-Pontiac shown, others similar

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Remove the instrument cluster trim plate, using the following as a guide:
1. Remove the left instrument panel insulator.
2. Remove the under-steering column opening filler panel.
3. Remove the knee bolster (knee pad) bracket.
4. Remove the nuts holding the steering column bracket to the instrument panel frame and allow the steering column to drop down.
5. Grasp the instrument panel trim plate bottom edge on both sides of the steering column and pull to release the retainer clips. Continue pulling to release the remainder of the clips.
6. Detach the electrical connector from the fog lamp switch, if equipped.
7. Remove the instrument panel cluster trim plate from the instrument panel.

Remove the screws holding the heater & A/C panel to the instrument panel and gently pull the assembly from the instrument panel. Detach the electrical connector(s) from the back of the panel. Some models may have a vacuum line connection that must also be removed.

Installation is the reverse of the removal process. Use care to make sure the retaining clips are properly seated and all screws are in place. This helps avoid rattles and squeaks later.