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Subject: Re: Heater Core repair - II. Removing the console Author: davidsoine : member since September, 2004 : 870 posts Posted on: 2004-09-06 19:22:13

Procedure Overview:

1. Remove the console
2. Remove the steering column
3. Remove the left support structure
4. Remove the HVAC front cover
5. disconnect heater hoses & blow out lines
6. Remove pipes & replace O-rings
7. reconnect heater hoses, top off coolant, pressure test if possible
8. assemble interior (reverse order)
9. bleed cooling system
10. test drive, check everything, reset radio stations, etc


First some general tips I forgot to add to the last post:

In all aspects of this repair, I found our digital camera invaluable. I took pictures of wire routing and tricky spots that I felt I'd have trouble remembering upon re-assembly. Upon re-assembly I just printed the pics I needed.

Think about alignment of components and brackets - before removal, make some alignment marks if possible to aid installation!


1. Tips: Removing the console

Remove the knee bolster trim under the steering column prior to removing the console. First pull the kick panel (4 screws), the wood trim on both sides of the column can be pulled away, then remove 4 screws behind the wood trim, and carefully pry the boot away from the black steering column trim (column fully extended).




With the knee bolster trim loose, the bowden cable for the parking brake can be disconnected by pulling it toward the left (drivers door) and up.


Remove the console as described in the Repair instructions. The rear carpet trim is held on with metal clips and a pin - a trim removal tool would work well on the pin. Easy-does-it since the part is press-board and the metal pin could pull away. The little carpet trim piece under the vent/cigar lighter panel is held on by a screw on each side - I removed it to keep it out of harms way.



I used a knife blade (careful!) to prise out the ASC and heated seat switches. Remove the one screw holding the OBDII connector in place (a broken cupholder helps for tool clearance).

Don't forget to take some pics of the rear console/phone tray wiring!


The wood trim surrounding the shifter is removed according to the Repair instructions. There are two pins on the underside of the trim.


The console is removed with the center stack in place. I removed the climate control interface and the bottom stereo interface, slid the console back, and then could remove the rest of the connectors from the stereo components.

More later,

Dave

• Heater Core repair - I. general info (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 14:57:36 (15135 views)
  • More followup info (url) - DavidC 2005-04-09 02:43:33 (1231 views)
  • you are one brave man. good work. (nt) - LA-Sean 2004-09-07 01:59:26 (759 views)
    • Indeed, the photos are very graphic. Serious surgery. (nt) - islandbeef 2004-09-07 14:19:00 (883 views)
  • Phenomenal!! Thanks! What was your symptoms that lead to the heater core? (nt) - silber98 2004-09-06 22:31:13 (1073 views)
    • Symptom: Coolant smell when the heat cycled on, esp. Defrost (m) - davidsoine 2004-09-07 10:08:39 (1140 views)
  • Re: Heater Core repair - II. Removing the console (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 19:22:13 (3063 views)
    • Re: Heater Core repair - III. Removing the steering column (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:00:05 (2069 views)
      • Re: Heater Core repair - IV. Removing the 'left support' (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:14:43 (1761 views)
        • Re: Heater Core repair - V. HVAC cover, heater hoses & pipes (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:30:44 (2367 views)
          • Bravo! This is a perfect example of how to document a project - DavidC 2004-09-06 21:49:02 (859 views)
            • The leaking joints were... (m) - davidsoine 2004-09-07 10:18:02 (1012 views)
          • Re: Heater Core repair - VI. Re-assembly (pic) - davidsoine 2004-09-06 20:46:54 (2147 views)
            • Absolutely Beautiful, Well done - thanks!! (nt) - WTH 2004-09-06 21:04:46 (683 views)
              • My goodness, very impressive! - M.Wong 2004-09-07 00:29:23 (670 views)
  • This is great information David. - farnarkler 2004-09-06 18:56:45 (595 views)