Dash Replacement

Replacing your dash is pretty simple and straight forward but requires some patience. Basic tools are required to do the job. A must in every Saab owners tool kit is a hex and torx driver set a metric ratchet set and of course Phillips and Flathead screwdrivers.. If you are removing your dash for the first time I would advise you to remove the steering wheel , things will get a little tight if you're green. Click Here for the procedure. I also recommend buying about a dozen C178 or 179 bulbs to replace those tired ones in the fascia. A word of caution PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE TAKING YOUR CAR APART!.
Step1 Remove the Speaker grills There are 2 screws holding each speaker grill. You will need a small phillips screwdriver or a torx driver to take these out. When taking out the speaker grill there is a retainer clip near the vent holes that may give a little trouble. If you can't slide the speaker out, use a slender screwdriver to bend the clip inwards to pull the grill out.
Step2 Locating the Dash Screws When you remove the grills this will expose two of the screws holding the dash down. The other 2 screws are located under the glove box, and there's 4 long screws below the fascia. Depending on if you have a center console or not you got one more step to go. Take out the ashtray, and remove the screw located one the inside retaining the center console and another holding the lower dash. If the center console is in the way you will have to take it out.
Step3 Removing the center console Remove the rubber bracket located between the shifter and the console. Remove those two screws and slide the console out. You don't have to take out the console unless you plan to replace the lower dash too. If this is the case you need to remove the screws located inside the fender well near the firewall also.
Step5 Pulling out the fascia Pull out the fascia slightly, just enough to get your hands through to unplug and remove the buttons and wiring for the ac, mirror switch, radio harness etc.., including the heater control rod. These are easy to locate but if you are cautious use masking tape and mark the location of the wires ESPECIALLY THOSE FEMALE PLUGS LOCATED CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. Be careful when pulling the fascia the rings that hold the straws to guide the screws are delicate and easy to snap off. A trick that I use with the buttons is to put them on as soon as I take them take them off the harness so I won't confuse myself.
Step4 Pulling the Dash When pulling the dash there are two wires to disconnect. They are located between the vent and the glovebox. These are the ground and power for the light in the glove compartment. Pull the dash slightly forward to release it from the retaining clip located between the speaker openings. You can disconnect the wires through the speaker opening or slip you hand through the opening you created from moving the dash forward. When this is done pull the defogger vent if it hasn't come loose yet. Then pull the dash off for replacement. Installation is the reversal of removal. Just in case you get confused putting the stuff back together here is the recommended steps to follow.
1. wire terminals for glove box light switch 2. connect defogger vent on passenger side (this is a PITA) 3. slide dash into retaining clip 4. wire controls and buttons for fascia and radio harness (power on ignition, check lights and switches) 5. connect defogger vent on driver's side (another PITA) 6. insert heater control rod into heater core 7. insert other end of rod into heater control via speaker opening 8. connect vacuum lines to heater control 9. Connect radio harness and insert radio into postion 10. screw in the first 3 fascia screws starting from the driver's side 11. screw down the dash from the speaker openings 12. screw down the dash below the glove box door 13. slide center console into place and secure the 2 lower screws 14. screw in the fascia and center console screws in astray opening 15. install ashtray 16. wire speakers and secure it CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR INSTALL IS COMPLETE.