Ford Falcon. Manual — part 429

501-12-4

Instrument Panel and Console

501-12-4

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

10. Detach the lever-lock wiring connectors at lower

Instrument Panel

cowl side wiring block retainers (common both

sides. RH side shown).

Removal
1. Set seat back angle to vertical position and set

height adjustment to full up position.

2. Disconnect

the

battery.

WARNING: Wait at least one minute after

disconnecting the battery ground cable before

disconnecting any supplemental restraint system

electrical connector. Failure to follow this warning

could cause premature deployment and may

result in personal injury.
3. Remove both front seat. Refer to Section 501-10

Seating.

4. Remove park brake handle. Refer to Section

206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation.

11. Detach wiring block retainers from body.

5. Remove Floor console as described later in this

section.

WARNING: The restraints control module

6. Remove A-pillar trim. Refer to Section 501-05

(RCM) orientation is critical for proper airbag

Interior Trim and Ornamentation.

supplemental restraint system (SRS) operation. If

a vehicle equipped with an SRS system has been

7. Remove instrument panel end cap mouldings (LH

involved in a collision in which the center tunnel

and RH sides).

area has been damaged, inspect the mounting

and bracket for deformation. If damaged, the RCM

must be replaced whether or not the airbags have

deployed. In addition, make sure the area of the

RCM mounting is restored to its original

condition.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is

critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle

equipped with an airbag supplemental restraint

system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect

the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for

deformation. Replace and properly position the

sensor or any other damaged supplemental

restraint system (SRS) components whether or

8. Remove the fuse panel cover.

not the airbag is deployed.

9. Disconnect the engine hood release cable from

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment

the fuse box by pushing down at the rear and

and possible personal injury, the backup power

sliding it forward.

supply must be depleted before repairing or

replacing any front or side airbag supplemental

restraint system (SRS) components and before

servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking

components near the front or side airbag sensors,

such as doors, instrument panel, console, door

latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

To deplete the backup power supply energy,

disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at

least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary

batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive

to static electrical charges. If exposed to these

charges, damage can result.

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501-12-5

Instrument Panel and Console

501-12-5

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

12. Disconnect the large restraints control module

17. Remove instrument panel centre tunnel retaining

(RCM) electrical connector.

bolt.

1. Pinch the thumb tab and pivot the connector

position assurance lever all the way back until

it stops.

2. Pull out and disconnect the RCM electrical

connector.

18. Remove instrument panel foot well brace retaining

bolt.

Item

Description

1

Small RCM connector cover

2

Small RCM connector

3

RCM

4

Large RCM connector

13. Disconnect the small RCM electrical connector.

1. Pull out and remove the electrical connector

locking wedge.

2. Push down to release the retaining tab.

19. Remove the sunload sensor blank.

3. While releasing the retaining tab, pull out and

20. Loosen Instrument panel cowl top bolt at least

disconnect the small RCM electrical

8-10 turns while pushing down firmly on the bolt

connector.

head. This spreads the two instrument panel

14. Remove steering column. Refer to Section 211-04

tangs so that they can be slid over the mating

Steering Column.

cowl tang during the disassembly process.

15. ( Column Shift Only) Remove Centre Lower Finish

Panel Assembly.

16. Remove the Interior Command Centre. Refer to

Section 413-08 Interior Command Centre

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501-12-6

Instrument Panel and Console

501-12-6

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

21. Undo outside instrument panel retaining bolts

8. Attach sun load sensor trim panel or blank.

below upper front door hinge. Do not remove.

9. Attach cowl scuff trims.
10. Attach fuse door.
11. Attach seat belts.
12. Refit console system.
13. Fit hand brake.
14. Fit front seat.
15. Fit seat side lower garnish and scuff plate.
16. Reconnect battery.

Floor Console & Duct Assembly

Removal
1. Remove front seating. For additional information,

refer to Section 501-10.

22. Remove instrument panel side retaining bolts.

2. Remove parking brake. For additional information,

refer to Section 206-05.

3. Move gear shift to D (Automatic) or 4th (manual).

Remove securig screw and handle/knob.

23. Place Gearshift in ’D’ position to provide

clearance for instrument panel removal.

24. Remove instrument panel assembly through right

hand side of vehicle.

Installation
NOTE: Prior to installing the instrument panel

assembly, its critical that the instrument panel cowl

top bolt is loosened at least 8-10 turns while pushing

down firmly on the bolt head. This process spreads

the two instrument panel tangs so that they can slide

over the mating cowl tang during assembly.

1. Position instrument panel assembly into vehicle

and secure side, outer, upper cowl, lower tunnel

and front floor retaining bolts.

2. Fit wiring retainer blocks to cowl sides.
3. Attach wiring connectors at cowl sides and crash

sensor.

4. Attach hood release cable.
5. Refit steering column.

Item

Description

6. Attach A-pillar trim.

1

Selector handle

7. Attach end caps.

2

Screw

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501-12-7

Instrument Panel and Console

501-12-7

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

4. Remove PRND dial or manual gear shift cover by 7. Remove tissue holder assembly.

lifting the cover evenly at the points illustrated

below.

8. Remove console gearshift retaining screws ( 3

screws for Automatic, 2 screws for Manual ).

5. Remove console wing trims by removing retaining

screws.

9. Remove side screw fixings.

6. Remove console retaining screws at instrument

panel interface.

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