Instrument panel (Escort 5)

Removal

Models produced before 1996

Remove the negative terminal from the battery.

Remove the steering wheel. Remove the 2 upper and 4 lower screws and remove the upper and lower steering column covers. Refer to the appropriate sections of the manual and remove the following panel-related components:

• multifunction steering column switch;
• instrument cluster;
• air damper control cable;
• heating and ventilation control panel;
• cigarette lighter and ashtray;
• radio;
• watch.

Unscrew 2 screws and remove the ventilation system components from the driver's side panel (see Fig. 11.74).



Remove the 2 screws securing the glove box lid hinge. Remove the 2 screws securing the latch and remove the glove box latch. If equipped, disconnect and remove the driver and passenger side lower panel lighting.



Remove the front door seal near the instrument panel. Unscrew the instrument panel mounting screws (see Fig. 11.75, 11.76).





With the help of an assistant, remove the panel into the passenger compartment, mark the location of the cables and wire harnesses, separate them from the instrument panel and remove the panel.

Models since 1996

Remove the negative terminal from the battery. Remove the steering wheel.

Remove the screw and lift the multifunction switch up from the steering column. Remove the electrical connector from the switch. Disconnect the 3 electrical connectors located at the rear of the removable lower instrument panel. Remove the driver and passenger side lower instrument panel lights. Remove the radio. Remove the front interior side trim by turning the front trim retaining bracket 90° and releasing the rear trim from the spring clips. Remove the door seal near the instrument panel.



Remove the hood ground busbar mounting bolt under the instrument panel on the driver's side. Remove the fuse box at the bottom of the panel. Disconnect the 3 electrical connectors from the relay group on the top of the box. Disconnect the 2 electrical connectors adjacent to the engine compartment on the driver's side.

Disconnect the cables from the heater control panel. Remove the central control panel.

Using a lever, remove the decorative trims covering the 3 screws securing the upper part of the instrument panel adjacent to the windshield. Unscrew the 3 screws securing the instrument panel. Using a lever, remove the decorative trim from the upper edge of the radio socket and unscrew the screw located under the decorative trim. Unscrew the side screws securing the instrument panel and the screw located below the ashtray. Disconnect the speedometer drive cable from the mounting bracket on the bulkhead in the engine compartment.

Move the gearshift lever back and remove the panel inside the passenger compartment. Disconnect the speedometer drive cable and all electrical connectors from the panel. Remove the panel from the steering column and remove it from the car.

Installation

Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Check that all electrical wires and cables are correctly positioned and securely connected.

Once the instrument panel is fully installed, connect the battery and check the functionality of all instruments and switches.