(2) Apply specified lubricant to all pivoting and
sliding contact areas of component.
LUBRICANT USAGE
ENGINE OIL
²Door Hinges ± Hinge Pin and Pivot Contact
Areas
²Hood Hinges ± Pivot Points
²Liftgate Hinges
MOPARTSPRAY WHITE LUBE OR EQUIVALENT
²Door Check Straps
²Liftgate Latches
²Liftgate Prop Pivots²Ash Receiver
²Fuel Filler Door Remote Control Latch Mecha-
nism
²Parking Brake Mechanism
²Sliding Seat Tracks
²Liftgate Latch
MOPARTMultipurpose GREASE OR EQUIVALENT
²All Other Hood Mechanisms
MOPARTLOCK CYLINDER LUBRICANT OR
EQUIVALENT
²Door Lock Cylinders
²Liftgate Lock Cylinder
SPECIAL TOOLS
BODY
INDEX
DESCRIPTION FIGURE
STICK, TRIM C 4755 16
REMOVER, MOLDINGS C-4829 17
PLIERS, HEADLINER CLIP 6967 18
Fig. 16 STICK, TRIM C 4755
Fig. 17 REMOVER, MOLDINGS C-4829
Fig. 18 PLIERS, HEADLINER CLIP 6967
RSBODY23-13
BODY (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
(8) Route cable back from latch through engine
compartment toward dash panel near power brake
booster (Fig. 5).
(9) Remove attaching clips from cable case.
(10) From inside vehicle, pull cable through dash
panel until mechanic's wire is exposed.
(11) Disconnect cable from mechanic's wire.
(12) Remove hood release cable from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place hood release cable in position under
instrument panel.
(2) Attach latch end of hood release cable to
mechanic's wire protruding through dash panel.
(3) Route cable forward through engine compart-
ment toward latch by pulling on mechanic's wire
(Fig. 5).(4) Disconnect mechanic's wire from cable.
(5) Engage rubber grommet cable insulator into
hole in dash panel.
(6) Install hood release handle into instrument
panel.
(7) Place cable in position on latch.
(8) Slide cable case end sideways into keyhole slot
of hood latch.
(9) Engage cable end into hood latch locking mech-
anism.
(10) Install hood latch.
(11) Install attaching clips to cable case and install
clips into original holes in strut tower, fender, head-
lamp area, and radiator closure panel crossmember.
LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Remove bolts attaching striker to inside of
hood.
(3) Remove hood latch striker from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position hood latch striker on vehicle.
(2) Install bolts attaching hood latch striker to
hood.
(3) Align hood latch striker to engage smoothly
into hood latch.
(4) Verify hood operation and alignment. Adjust as
necessary.
(5) Tighten attaching bolts to 13.5 N´m (10 ft. lbs.)
torque.Fig. 5 HOOD RELEASE CABLE ROUTING
1 - GROMMET
2 - HOOD RELEASE CABLE
3 - RADIATOR CLOSURE PANEL CROSSMEMBER
RSHOOD23-61
LATCH RELEASE CABLE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
GLOVE BOX LATCH STRIKER
REMOVAL
(1) Open glove box door.
(2) Remove screws holding lock striker to instru-
ment panel.
(3) Remove glove box latch striker.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the glove box latch striker.
(2) Install the screws holding latch striker to
instrument panel.
(3) Close glove box door.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the lower console:
(a) Remove six retaining screws.
(b) Pull rearward and disconnect the auxiliary
power outlet.
(c) Remove lower console from vehicle.
(3) Remove the bolts attaching the lower supports
to the instrument panel frame (Fig. 3).
(4) Remove the bolts attaching the lower supports
to the floor pan.
(5) Disconnect the wire connectors from the Pas-
senger Airbag.
(6) Remove the two screws to each right and left
cowl trim covers.
(7) Remove the both left and right side A-pillar
trim covers using a trim stick (special tool #C-4755)
or equivalent gently pry out on the trim covers and
remove.
(8) Remove the glove box:
(a) Push in on sides of glove box bin and lower
door.
(b) Pivot glove box downward and disengage
hinge hooks from instrument panel.
(c) Remove glove box from vehicle.
(9) Disconnect the antenna lead connector from
behind the glove box.
(10) Remove the four screws to the lower steering
column cover.
(11) Remove the eight screws to the steering col-
umn backing plate.
(12) Unclip the Data Link Connector (DLC) from
the steering column backing plate.
(13) Disconnect the left side wiring:
(a) Brake switch.
(b) Main bulkhead connector.(c) Five harness connectors.
(d) Driver airbag connector.
(14) Remove the two screws to the hood release
handle.
(15) Remove five screws to steering column back-
ing plate and remove (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRU-
MENT PANEL/KNEE BLOCKER - REMOVAL).
(16) Remove the two steering column shroud
retaining screws. Separate the shrouds and remove
from vehicle.
(17) Remove the screws attaching the instrument
panel reinforcement and remove (Fig. 4).
(18) Disconnect the steering column wiring. There
are seven connectors and then unclip the harness
from the column.
(19) Disconnect the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) harness connector.
(20) Remove the four nuts retaining the steering
column to the dash panel steering column mounting
bracket and lower column to the floor (Fig. 5).
(21) Remove the four nuts attaching the instru-
ment panel to the brake pedal support bracket.
(22) Loosen the left side roll down bolt (Fig. 6).
(23) Remove the left side A-pillar retaining bolts.
There are two 13 mm bolts and one 10 mm bolt.
(24) If equipped with a mechanical transmission
range indicator:
(a) Remove the indicator cable loop.
(b) Remove the clip holding gear shift cable end
to the gear selector adapter.
(c) Pull the cable end from gear selector.
(d) Disconnect the clip for the indicator cable
and guide tube from the shift cable bracket and
move out of the way.
(25) Remove the instrument panel top cover. Using
a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry up on the front
edge of the top cover, pull rearward and remove from
vehicle.
(26) Disconnect the right side wire connectors from
the HVAC behind the glove box area and the two
antenna connectors behind the glove box hinge.
(27) Remove the right end cover by pulling out-
board.
(28) Remove the right side A-pillar retaining bolts.
There are two 13 mm bolts and one 10 mm bolt.
(29) Loosen the right side roll down bolt.
(30) Disconnect the two front window defroster
grid wire connectors. One on each side of vehicle.
(31) Remove both the left and right power mirrors:
(a) Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry
out on mirror trim cover.
(b) Open door and remove the three torx retain-
ing screws.
(c) Disconnect the wire connector and remove
mirror from the vehicle.
23 - 64 INSTRUMENT PANELRS
ProCarManuals.com
(11) If equipped with a mechanical transmission
range indicator:
(a) Connect the clip for the indicator cable and
guide tube to the shift cable bracket.
(b) Install the cable end to the gear selector.
(c) Install the clip holding the gear shift cable
end to the gear selector adapter.
(d) Install the indicator cable loop.
(12) Tighten the left side roll down bolt.
(13) Install the four nuts attaching the instrument
panel to the brake pedal support bracket.
(14) Install the four nuts retaining the steering
column and lower to the floor (Fig. 5).
(15) Connect the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) harness connector.
(16) Connect the steering column wiring. There
are seven connectors and then clip the harness to the
column.
(17) Install the screws attaching the instrument
panel reinforcement (Fig. 4).
(18) Connect the shrouds and install the two steer-
ing column shroud retaining screws.
(19) Install five screws to the left under column
instrument panel reinforcement brace.
(20) Install the two screws to the hood release
handle.
(21) Connect the left side wiring:
(a) Brake switch.
(b) Main bulkhead connector.(c) Five harness connectors.
(d) Driver airbag connector.
(22) Clip the Data Link Connector (DLC) to the
steering column backing plate.
(23) Install the eight screws to the steering column
backing plate.
(24) Install the four screws to the lower steering
column cover.
(25) Install the glove box:
(a) Install glove box into the vehicle. Line up the
hinges and firmly snap together.
(b) Push in on sides of glove box bin and raise
door.
(26) Install the both left and right side A-pillar
trim covers. Position trim cover over slots and firmly
snap into place.
(27) Install the two screws to each right and left
cowl trim covers.
(28) Connect the wire connectors to the Passenger
Airbag.
(29) Install the bolts attaching the lower supports
to the floor pan.
(30) Install the bolts attaching the lower supports
to the instrument panel frame (Fig. 3).
(31) Install the lower console:
(a) Install lower console to vehicle.
(b) Connect the auxiliary power outlet.
(c) Install the six retaining screws.
(32) Connect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 6 INSTRUMENT PANEL REMOVAL
1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - FIVE ATTACHING SCREWS
3 - 13 mm BOLT - TWO ON EACH SIDE4 - ROLL DOWN BRACKET
5 - 10 mm BOLT - STARTING BOLT ONE EACH SIDE
23 - 66 INSTRUMENT PANELRS
INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
(8) Install the center bezel.
(9) Install the lower steering column cover.
(10) Install the right end cover.
LOWER STEERING COLUMN
COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the four screws attaching the lower
steering column cover to instrument panel (Fig. 12).
(2) Remove the lower steering column cover from
the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the lower steering column cover into the
vehicle (Fig. 12).
(2) Install the four screws attaching the lower
steering column cover to instrument panel.
STEERING COLUMN COVER
BACKING PLATE
REMOVAL
(1) Remove lower steering column cover (Refer to
23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COL-
UMN OPENING COVER - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the park brake release handle link
from the park brake release handle.
(3) Remove screws attaching lower steering col-
umn backing plate to instrument panel (Fig. 12).
(4) Unclip the Data Link Connector (DLC) from
the lower steering column backing plate.
(5) Remove lower steering column backing plate
from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the steering column cover backing plate
into vehicle (Fig. 12).
(2) Clip the Data Link Connector (DLC) to the
steering column cover backing plate
(3) Install the screws attaching steering column
cover backing plate to instrument panel.
(4) Connect the park brake release handle link to
the park release handle.
(5) Install the lower steering column cover (Refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING
COLUMN OPENING COVER - INSTALLATION).
OVER STEERING COLUMN
COVER
REMOVAL
(1) Taking a firm grasp of the over steering col-
umn cover front edge, give a quick upward pulling
motion to disengage the cover from the instrument
panel (Fig. 13).
(2) Remove the over steering column cover from
the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place the over steering column cover into posi-
tion over the retaining slots and firmly snap into
place (Fig. 13).
Fig. 11 LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL
1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL
Fig. 12 LOWER STEERING COLUMN COVER
1 - STEERING COLUMN COVER BACKING PLATE
2 - STEERING COLUMN COVER
RSINSTRUMENT PANEL23-69
LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
(12) Use absorbent toweling to mop up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation.
(13) Pull both heater core tubes simultaneously
slightly away from the distribution housing and rear-
ward far enough to disengage the engine compart-
ment ends of the tubes from the dash panel seal.
(14) Remove the heater core tubes and sealing
plate as a unit from beneath the instrument panel.
(15) Use absorbent toweling to clean up any
engine coolant spills from the preceding operation.
REMOVAL - HEATER CORE
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
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) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM DRAIN).
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the silencer boot fasteners located
around the base of the lower steering shaft from the
dash panel so that it may be pushed aside.
(4) Remove the brake lamp switch from its mount-
ing bracket. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/
LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH -
REMOVAL).
(5) Disconnect the power brake booster input rod
(push rod) from the pin on the brake pedal arm.
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES - ABS/HYDRAULIC/ME-
CHANICAL/POWER BRAKE BOOSTER - REMOV-
AL).
(6) Remove the three screws that secure the heater
core shield to the left end of the HVAC distribution
housing (Fig. 17).(7) Pull the heater core shield rearward far enough
to disengage the two location tabs that position the
front of the shield to the receptacles in the two lower
finger formations of the evaporator housing near the
dash panel.
(8) Remove the heater core shield from the distri-
bution housing.
(9) Take the proper precautions to protect the car-
peting below the heater core from spilled engine cool-
ant and have absorbent toweling readily available to
mop up any spills.
(10) Remove the screw that secures the heater core
tube sealing plate to the heater core supply and
return ports (Fig. 18).
(11) Push both heater core tubes simultaneously
toward the dash panel far enough to disengage their
fittings from the heater core supply and return ports.
(12) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened
heater core tube fittings and both heater core ports.
(13) Use absorbent toweling to mop up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation.
(14) Remove the two screws that secure the heater
core mounting plate to the distribution housing.
(15) While pulling the accelerator pedal upward
(Fig. 19) and pushing the brake pedal downward
(Fig. 20) far enough for clearance, pull the heater
core out of the distribution housing.
(16) Use absorbent toweling to mop up any engine
coolant spills from the preceding operation. Also, if
the heater core was leaking, use absorbent toweling
and reach into the heater core opening to mop up
any residual engine coolant within the distribution
housing.
Fig. 17 Heater Core Shield
1 - HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER HOUSING
2 - HEATER CORE SHIELD
3 - DISTRIBUTION HOUSING
4 - SCREWS (3)
5 - LOCATION TABS (2)
24 - 76 PLUMBING - FRONTRS
HEATER CORE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION- HEATER CORE EXTENSION
TUBES
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFOREATTEMPTING 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) Remove the plugs or tape from both heater core
tube fittings and both heater core ports.
(2) Position the heater core tubes and sealing plate
as a unit beneath the instrument panel.
(3) Align the engine compartment ends of both
heater core tubes with the openings in the dash
panel seal and push them simultaneously forward
through the seal far enough to engage the heater
core ends of the tubes with the heater core supply
and return ports.
(4) Position both heater core tubes and the sealing
plate simultaneously to the heater core supply and
return ports.
(5) The heater core tubes each have a slot that
must be indexed to a location tab within each of the
heater core ports. Adjust the position of the tubes as
required so that the sealing plate fits flush against
the heater core supply and return ports, which indi-
cates that the tubes are properly indexed.
(6) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
heater core tube sealing plate to the heater core sup-
ply and return ports. Tighten the screw to 3 N´m (27
in. lbs.).
(7) Position the heater core shield onto the distri-
bution housing. Be certain that the two location tabs
Fig. 18 Heater Core
1 - SEALING PLATE
2 - SCREW
3 - SCREWS (2)
4 - HEATER CORE
5 - HEATER CORE TUBES
Fig. 19 Accelerator Pedal
1 - SLIDE HEATER CORE PAST ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Fig. 20 Brake Pedal
1 - SLIDE HEATER CORE PAST BRAKE PEDAL
2 - DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-77
HEATER CORE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
on the front of the shield are engaged in the recepta-
cles in the two lower finger formations of the evapo-
rator housing near the dash panel.
(8) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the heater core shield to the left end of the HVAC
distribution housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17
in. lbs.).
(9) Reinstall the silencer under the driver side end
of the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL
SILENCER - INSTALLATION).
(10) Reconnect the heater hoses to the heater hose
tubes. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - FRONT/HEATER HOSE -
INSTALLATION).
(11) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(12) Refill the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
INSTALLATION - HEATER CORE
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMB-
ING).
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) While pushing the brake pedal downward and
pulling the accelerator pedal upward far enough for
clearance, slide the heater core into the distribution
housing.
(2) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the heater core mounting plate to the distribution
housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17 in. lbs.).
(3) Remove the plugs or tape from the heater core
tube fittings and both heater core ports.
(4) Position both heater core tubes and the sealing
plate simultaneously to the heater core supply and
return ports.(5) The heater core tubes each have a slot that
must be indexed to a location tab within each of the
heater core ports. Adjust the position of the tubes as
required so that the sealing plate fits flush against
the heater core supply and return ports, which indi-
cates that the tubes are properly indexed.
(6) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
heater core tube sealing plate to the heater core sup-
ply and return ports. Tighten the screw to 3 N´m (27
in. lbs.).
(7) Position the heater core shield onto the distri-
bution housing. Be certain that the two location tabs
on the front of the shield are engaged in the recepta-
cles in the two lower finger formations of the evapo-
rator housing near the dash panel.
(8) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the heater core shield to the left end of the HVAC
distribution housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17
in. lbs.).
(9) Reconnect the power brake booster input rod
(push rod) to the pin on the brake pedal arm(Refer to
5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/POWER
BRAKE BOOSTER - INSTALLATION).
(10) Reinstall the brake lamp switch into its
mounting bracket(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/
LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH -
INSTALLATION).
(11) Reinstall the silencer boot around the base of
the lower steering shaft on the dash panel.
(12) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(13) Refill the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
(14) Operate system for two thermostat cycles to
assure elimination of air in the system.
HEATER HOSE
REMOVAL
There are several heater core plumbing configura-
tions used on this model, depending upon the engine
size and other optional equipment. One plumbing
configuration is used for all 2.4L engines (Fig. 21),
while the 3.3L and 3.8L engines have unique heater
return plumbing on the engine for models with or
without an optional engine oil cooler (Fig. 24) or (Fig.
25). There are also unique plumbing configurations
at the heater core for models with or without the
optional rear heater and air conditioner (Fig. 22) or
(Fig. 23). All models use a combination of formed
steel tubing and rubber hoses. In most cases, the
rubber hose is secured to the steel tubing with a
spring tension clamp.
24 - 78 PLUMBING - FRONTRS
HEATER CORE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com