Heater Core: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Place temperature control lever in warm position, then drain cooling system.
3. Remove steering wheel using a suitable puller, then the ashtray.
4. Remove instrument cluster as outlined.
5. Remove outer passenger side defroster duct, then the outlet control wire at left side of heater unit.

Fig. 19 Instrument panel exploded view. 1985-88 Colt Vista:

6. Remove retaining clips from trim panels A and B, then remove lower and upper glove compartments.
7. Disconnect the recirculation/fresh air control wire from left of blower assembly, then the blower harness connector.
8. Remove inner passenger side defroster duct, then the floor console side covers with duct.
9. On vehicles with manual transaxle, remove shift lever knob.
10. On all vehicles, remove floor console.
11. Remove lap heater duct, then the fuse box.
12. Disconnect electrical connectors for instrument panel harness, body harness, brake switch and antenna feed wire.
13. Remove instrument panel attaching nuts and bolts, then the instrument panel.
14. Remove duct between heater unit and blower motor, then disconnect heater hoses at heater unit.

Fig. 20 Heater core & blower motor assemblies. Colt Vista:

15. Remove heater unit, then the heater core cover.
16. Disconnect links and pipe clamps from the heater unit, then remove heater core from heater unit.
17. Reverse procedure to install.