Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DBβ LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSTOYOTA2008HIGHLANDER 2WD V6-3.5L (2GR-FE)REPAIR AND DIAGNOSISBODY AND FRAMEINTERIOR MOULDING / TRIMDASHBOARD / INSTRUMENT PANELSERVICE AND REPAIRREMOVAL
2008 Toyota Highlander 2WD V6-3.5L (2GR-FE)
Removal
2008 Toyota Highlander 2WD V6-3.5L (2GR-FE)SECTION Removal
INSTRUMENT PANEL: INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY PAD: REMOVAL
REMOVAL
1. PRECAUTION
Service Precautions
2. POSITION FRONT WHEELS STRAIGHT AHEAD
3. DISCONNECT CABLE FROM NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL
CAUTION: Wait for 90 seconds after disconnecting the terminal to prevent airbag deployment Service and Repair.
NOTE: When disconnecting the cable, some systems need to be initialized after the cable is reconnected. Repair Instruction - Initialization
4. REMOVE LOWER NO. 3 STEERING WHEEL COVER Removal
5. REMOVE LOWER NO. 2 STEERING WHEEL COVER Removal
6. REMOVE STEERING PAD Removal
7. REMOVE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY Removal
8. REMOVE STEERING COLUMN COVER Removal
9. REMOVE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH SPIRAL CABLE SUB-ASSEMBLY Removal
10. REMOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FINISH PANEL ASSEMBLY
(a) Disengage the 4 claws and 4 clips, and remove the instrument cluster finish panel assembly.
11. REMOVE COMBINATION METER ASSEMBLY
(a) Remove the 4 screws [F].
(b) Disconnect the connector and remove the combination meter assembly.
12. REMOVE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL REGISTER ASSEMBLY
(a) Apply protective tape to the areas shown in the illustration.
(b) Using a moulding remover, disengage the 2 claws and 5 clips, and then remove the center instrument panel register assembly as shown in the illustration.
13. REMOVE CENTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FINISH PANEL ASSEMBLY (w/o Smart Key System)
(a) Apply protective tape to the areas shown in the illustration.
(b) Using a moulding remover, disengage the 10 claws and 8 clips starting from the upper part of the center instrument cluster finish panel assembly.
NOTE: Do not pull on the small storage compartment lid. Doing so may cause damage.
(c) Disconnect each connector and remove the center instrument cluster finish panel assembly.
14. REMOVE CENTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FINISH PANEL ASSEMBLY (w/ Smart Key System)
(a) Apply protective tape to the areas shown in the illustration.
(b) Using a moulding remover, disengage the 10 claws and 8 clips starting from the upper part of the center instrument cluster finish panel assembly.
NOTE: Do not pull on the small storage compartment lid. Doing so may cause damage.
(c) Disconnect each connector and remove the center instrument cluster finish panel assembly.
15. REMOVE HEATER CONTROL AND ACCESSORY ASSEMBLY (for Manual Air Conditioning System) Removal
16. REMOVE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL ASSEMBLY (for Automatic Air Conditioning System) Removal
17. REMOVE RADIO RECEIVER ASSEMBLY WITH BRACKET (w/o Navigation System) Removal
18. REMOVE NAVIGATION RECEIVER ASSEMBLY WITH BRACKET (w/ Navigation System) Removal
19. REMOVE FRONT DOOR SCUFF PLATE LH Removal
20. REMOVE COWL SIDE TRIM SUB-ASSEMBLY LH Removal
21. REMOVE LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL FINISH PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY (for Manual Air Conditioning System)
(a) Remove the 2 bolts [B].
(b) Disengage the 3 claws and 10 clips.
(c) Disconnect each connector.
(d) Disconnect the hood lock control cable assembly and remove the lower instrument panel finish panel sub-assembly.
22. REMOVE LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL FINISH PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY (for Automatic Air Conditioning System)
(a) Remove the 2 bolts [B].
(b) Disengage the 3 claws and 10 clips.
(c) Disconnect each connector and the aspirator duct.
(d) Disconnect the hood lock control cable assembly and remove the lower instrument panel finish panel sub-assembly.
23. REMOVE FRONT DOOR SCUFF PLATE RH Removal
24. REMOVE COWL SIDE TRIM SUB-ASSEMBLY RH Removal
25. REMOVE NO. 2 INSTRUMENT PANEL UNDER COVER SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Disengage the 3 claws.
(b) Disengage the 2 guides and remove the No. 2 instrument panel under cover sub-assembly.
26. REMOVE LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Remove the 2 bolts [B] and 3 screws [F].
(b) Disengage the 4 claws and 3 clips.
(c) Disconnect each connector and clamp, and remove the lower instrument panel sub-assembly.
27. REMOVE UPPER CONSOLE PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Disengage the 4 claws and 4 clips.
(b) Disconnect the connector and remove the upper console panel sub-assembly.
28. REMOVE NO. 2 CONSOLE BOX DUCT (w/o Rear Air Conditioning System)
(a) Remove the No. 2 console box duct as shown in the illustration.
29. REMOVE LOWER REAR CONSOLE BOX Removal
30. REMOVE CONSOLE BOX ASSEMBLY (w/o Rear Air Conditioning System) Removal
31. REMOVE CONSOLE BOX ASSEMBLY (w/ Rear Air Conditioning System) Removal
32. REMOVE FRONT NO. 1 CONSOLE BOX INSERT
(a) Using a clip remover, remove the 2 clips.
(b) Remove the 3 screws [F].
(c) Disengage the claw and 2 guides, and then remove the front No. 1 console box insert.
33. REMOVE FRONT NO. 2 CONSOLE BOX INSERT
(a) Using a clip remover, remove the clip.
(b) Remove the 3 screws [F].
(c) Disengage the claw and 2 guides, and then remove the front No. 2 console box insert.
34. REMOVE ENGINE SWITCH (w/ Smart Key System) Removal
35. DISCONNECT FRONT DOOR OPENING TRIM WEATHERSTRIP LH Removal
36. REMOVE FRONT PILLAR GARNISH LH Removal
37. DISCONNECT FRONT DOOR OPENING TRIM WEATHERSTRIP RH Removal
38. REMOVE FRONT PILLAR GARNISH RH Removal
39. REMOVE NO. 1 INSTRUMENT PANEL SPEAKER PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Disengage the 2 claws and 2 clips.
(b) Disengage the 2 guides and remove the No. 1 instrument panel speaker panel sub-assembly.
40. REMOVE FRONT NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY (for LH Side) Removal
41. REMOVE NO. 2 INSTRUMENT PANEL SPEAKER PANEL SUB-ASSEMBLY
(a) Disengage the 2 claws and 2 clips.
(b) Disengage the 2 guides and remove the No. 2 instrument panel speaker panel sub-assembly.
42. REMOVE FRONT NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY (for RH Side)
HINT: Use the same procedures for the RH side and the LH side.
43. DISCONNECT INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRE ASSEMBLY Removal
44. REMOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY PAD ASSEMBLY (for Pole Antenna Type)
(a) Disconnect each connector.
(b) Remove the bolt [E].
(c) Remove the 2 passenger airbag bolts [A].
(d) Disengage each clamp.
(e) Remove the 2 clips.
(f) Remove the 2 bolts [D] and nut [H].
(g) Disengage the 5 claws and remove the instrument panel safety pad assembly.
45. REMOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY PAD ASSEMBLY (for Glass Antenna Type)
(a) Disconnect each connector.
(b) Remove the 2 passenger airbag bolts [A].
(c) Disengage each clamp.
(d) Remove the 2 clips.
(e) Remove the 2 bolts [D] and nut [H].
(f) Disengage the 5 claws and remove the instrument panel safety pad assembly.
46. REMOVE NO. 3 INSTRUMENT PANEL STAY
(a) Using a screwdriver, disengage the claw and remove the 5 No. 3 instrument panel stays as shown in the illustration.
47. REMOVE CONSOLE BOX CUP HOLDER
(a) Remove the 2 console box cup holders.
48. REMOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY
(a) Remove the 4 screws [G] and the instrument panel cup holder assembly.
49. REMOVE NO. 2 CONSOLE BOX CUP HOLDER
(a) Remove the No. 2 console box cup holder.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.