GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers

Removal Procedure

  1. Drain the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  2. Use J 38185 in order to position aside the heater hose inlet and outlet clamps at the heater core.
  3. Disconnect the inlet and outlet heater hose from the heater core.
  4. Remove the RH instrument panel closeout/insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  5. Remove the LH instrument panel closeout/insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  6. Remove the floor carpet. Refer to Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement in Interior Trim.
  7. Remove the communication interface module. Refer to Communication Interface Module Replacement in Cellular Communication.
  8. Remove the rear floor air outlet duct from the holes in the floor reinforcement.
  9. Disconnect the rear floor air outlet duct from the heater core outlet cover.
  10. Remove the rear floor air outlet duct.

  11. Object Number: 1197427  Size: SH
  12. Remove the heater core outlet cover screws (2).
  13. Remove the heater core outlet cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel.
  14. Remove the heater core outlet cover from the HVAC module assembly.

  15. Object Number: 1197437  Size: SH
  16. Remove the heater core cover screws (2).
  17. Remove the heater core cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel.
  18. Remove the heater core cover from the HVAC module assembly.

  19. Object Number: 1197439  Size: SH
  20. Remove the heater core from the HVAC module assembly.

  21. Object Number: 1197441  Size: SH
  22. Remove the heater core foam seal (1) from the HVAC module assembly.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1197441  Size: SH
  1. Install a new heater core foam seal (1) to the HVAC module assembly.
  2. Install the heater core to the HVAC module assembly.
  3. From the inside of the heater core cover, drill the dimples adjacent to the heat stakes using a 5.5 mm (7/32 in) drill bit.

  4. Object Number: 1197437  Size: SH
  5. Install the heater core cover.
  6. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  7. Install the heater core cover screws to the heater core cover.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten all the screws to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

  9. From the inside of the heater core outlet cover, drill the dimples adjacent to the heat stakes using a 5.5 mm (7/32 in) drill bit.

  10. Object Number: 1197427  Size: SH
  11. Install the heater core outlet cover.
  12. Install the heater core outlet cover screws (2).
  13. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

  14. Connect the rear floor air outlet duct to the heater core outlet cover.
  15. Install the rear floor air outlet duct to the holes in the floor reinforcement.
  16. Install the communication interface module. Refer to Communication Interface Module Replacement in Cellular Communication.
  17. Install the floor carpet. Refer to Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement in Interior Trim.
  18. Install the RH instrument panel closeout/insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Right Side in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  19. Install the RH instrument panel closeout/insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  20. Connect the inlet and outlet heater hose to the heater core.
  21. Use J 38185 in order to reposition the heater hose inlet and outlet clamps to the heater core.
  22. Refill the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.