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Removing the Engine Access Panel
Hover over pictures to see them change. Click on them to view full size. The first step is to remove the center console. This is the plastic at the bottom of your shifter.
There should be 5 screws holding it on. There are 2 on the top where the carpet meets the plastc. On the sides there are 2 on the drivers side and 1 on the passengers side. Slide the seats all the way back to reach them. If your van has a manual trans. you will need to unscrew the shift knobs. If there are any electronics on the console make sure they are unplugged (Power mirrors, radio controls, o/d button). Carefully pull the console up, you might have to maneuver it to get it around shifters and the emergency brake handle.

Screw locations for removing the center console
Removal of the passenger seat Next, unplug the wires for the emergency brake light, and any wires leading to the transmission (they should all have plugs).
After that comes the seat. There are 3 bolts and 1 nut holding the seat in. The nut is accessed through the wheel well and the 3 bolts are inside the van. Once they have been removed just lift up the seat.
Open the hood Now we can get to the panel, almost. The "hood" must first be opened. There are a number of bolts holding the panel on. 2 of the look like they are holding the shift mount on. Make sure you get them all and don't lose them!
Removing the cover Before you start lifting there is 1 more bolt. On the back of the panel we are removing there is a bracket holding the cables for the shifter and the e-brake to the panel. Once that is free you should be able to move the panel aside and rest it on the engine bump (if you have carpet here you should probably protect it).
There you go, the other side of the fun/madness. Reassembly is just a reverse of this. Putting the right bolt back in the right hole is important so keep track of everything. Have fun.
By Dan Shugert - dan@shugpro.com
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