626

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

   CAUTION
   After disconnecting the battery, wait for more than 1 minute for the SAS to deplete its stored energy.

2. Drain the cooling system into a clean container for reuse.
3. Discharge and recover the air conditioning system refrigerant.
4. Place the wheel in the straight-ahead position and turn the ignition switch to LOCK.
5. At the driver's side, remove the SAS module and the steering wheel removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Cover clips at both sides of the steering wheel
   • Steering wheel-to-SAS module bolts
   • SAS module from the steering wheel and disconnect the electrical connector
   • Steering wheel-to-column nut
   • Steering wheel from the steering column using a suitable puller
6. At the passenger's side, remove the SAS module by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Glove compartment and the glove compartment cover
   • SAS module-to-dash bolts
   • SAS module and disconnect the electrical connector
7. Remove the instrument cluster by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Instrument cluster meter hood
   • Instrument cluster-to-dash screws, the instrument cluster and disconnect the electrical connectors
8. Remove the climate control assembly by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Climate control meter hood
   • Climate control assembly screws
   • Climate control assembly and disconnect the electrical connector and the assembly
9. Remove the audio unit by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Hole covers by inserting a small tape-wrapped flathead screwdriver into the slot and carefully pry off the hole covers
   • Using 2 removal tools 49 UN01 050 or equivalent, insert them into sides of the audio unit.
   • Slide audio unit outward and forward
   • Electrical connectors and the antenna jack
10. Remove the instrument panel by removing or disconnecting the following:
    • Upper center panel cover
    • Dash panel-to-chassis bolts
    • Dash panel with the help of an assistant
11. Remove the evaporator housing by removing or disconnecting the following:
    • Center lower panel
    • Refrigerant lines from the air conditioning evaporator and discard the gaskets
    • Blower motor assembly, if necessary
    • Evaporator assembly fasteners and remove the evaporator assembly
12. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Rear heater duct
    • Heater housing fasteners and the heater housing
    • Airflow mode actuator
13. Separate the heater housing and remove the heater core.

    Fig. 1: Exploded view of the steering wheel and SAS module-1998-00 626

    Fig. 2: Exploded view of the passenger's side SAS module-1998-00 626

    Fig. 3: View of the instrument cluster assembly-1998-00 626

    Fig. 4: Removing the audio unit-1998-00 626

    Fig. 5: View of the instrument panel assembly-1998-00 626

    Fig. 6: View of the heater and air conditioning housing assemblies-1998-00 626

    Fig. 7: Exploded view of the heater core and heater housing assembly-1998-00 626

    To install:

14. Install the heater core and assemble the heater housing.
15. Install or connect the following:
    • Airflow mode actuator
    • Heater housing and the heater housing fasteners
    • Rear heater duct
16. Install the evaporator housing by installing or connecting the following:
    • Center lower panel
    • Refrigerant lines to the air conditioning evaporator using new gaskets
    • Blower motor assembly, if necessary
    • Evaporator assembly and the evaporator assembly fasteners
17. Install the instrument panel by installing or connecting the following:
    • Upper center panel cover
    • Dash panel-to-chassis bolts
    • Dash panel with the help of an assistant
18. Install the audio unit by installing or connecting the following:
    • Hole covers
    • Audio unit
    • Electrical connectors and the antenna jack
19. Install the climate control assembly by installing or connecting the following:
    • Climate control meter hood
    • Climate control assembly screws
    • Climate control assembly and connect the electrical connector
20. Install the instrument cluster by installing or connecting the following:
    • Instrument cluster meter hood
    • Instrument cluster-to-dash screws, the instrument cluster and connect the electrical connectors
21. At the passenger's side, install the SAS module by installing or connecting the following:
    • Glove compartment and the glove compartment cover
    • SAS module-to-dash bolts
    • SAS module and connect the electrical connector
22. At the driver's side, install the SAS module and the steering wheel by installing or connecting the following:
    • Steering wheel and the steering wheel-to-column nut. Torque the steering wheel nut to 29-36 ft. lbs. (40-49 Nm)
    • SAS module to the steering wheel and connect the electrical connector. Torque the steering column-to-SAS module bolts to 70-104 inch lbs. (8-12 Nm)
    • Steering wheel-to-SAS module clips
    • Cover clips, at both sides of the steering wheel
23. Refill the cooling system.
24. Connect the negative battery cable.
25. Evacuate, charge and leak test the air conditioning system refrigerant.
26. Operate the engine to normal operating temperatures; then, check the climate control system and check for leaks.