Facia panel assembly - removal and refitting

Bodywork and fittings / Facia panel assembly - removal and refitting

Removal
1 Disconnect the battery negative terminal.

2 Where fitted, remove the centre console as described in Section 27.

3 Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the passenger side shelf/trim panel from beneath the facia panel. Also disconnect the diagnostic socket wiring plugs. Note that a pin on the front of the shelf locates in a rubber grommet (see illustrations).

28.3a Passenger side shelf/trim panel mounting screws

28.3b Removing the passenger side shelf/trim panel

28.3c Disconnecting the diagnostic socket wiring plugs

28.3d Shelf/trim panel front pin and rubber grommet

4 Remove the steering wheel, combination switches, and steering lock with reference to Chapter 10, Section 16. It is not necessary to remove the steering column completely.

5 Remove the instrument panel as described in Chapter 12.

6 Remove the radio as described in Chapter 12.

7 Using a screwdriver, carefully prise away the trim plate covering the heater controls.

8 Unscrew the retaining screws and pull the heater control assembly together with cables from the facia panel.

9 Disconnect the wiring from the switches and the cigarette lighter, noting the location of each wire (see Haynes Hint).

10 Disconnect the loudspeaker wiring from the left-hand side of the facia.

11 Unscrew the facia panel lower mounting screws.

12 With the glovebox open, unscrew the mounting screw from inside the glovebox compartment.

13 Unscrew the mounting screw located next to the steering column (see illustration).

28.13 Facia panel mounting screw next to the steering column

14 Working inside the engine compartment, unscrew the two mounting nuts on the bulkhead.

15 With the help of an assistant, carefully ease the facia panel away from the bulkhead into the passenger compartment. As it is withdrawn, release the wiring harness from its retaining clips on the rear of the facia, whilst noting its correct routing (see Haynes Hint).

Feed the heater control panel through the hole in the facia, and disconnect the air ducts as necessary.

Refitting
18 Refitting is a reversal of removal. When locating the facia on the bulkhead, insert the central pin in the special guide and the mounting studs in the holes. Make sure that all of the air ducts are correctly reconnected.

On completion, reconnect the battery and check that all the electrical components and switches function correctly.