The Pontiac Grand Prix was introduced in 1962 by General Motors. The 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix was produced in three different submodels: the SE, GT and GTP. The engines in the Grand Prix differed in accordance with the submodel, giving the SE and GT version a 3.1L or 3.8L fuel injected V6, and the GTP a 3.8L supercharged V6. The instrument cluster on the 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix is a completely electrical unit. Unlike electromechanical units of old, the 1997 Grand Prix used electrical sensors and sending units to monitor the entire vehicle. This system did away with the need for mechanical cables through the back of the instrument cluster and replaced them with one electronic pigtail.
Lower the steering wheel from the driver's seat of the Grand Prix by pulling the tilt steering lever on the left of the steering column. The tilt steering lever is located behind and slightly downward from the turn signal/wiper switch. Pull the lever horizontally toward you while simultaneously pushing the steering wheel down as far as it will go. Lowering the steering wheel will give you greater access to the instrument cluster panel.
Remove all fasteners and hardware from the dashboard bezel or panel, using a Phillips head screwdriver, a garnish clip remover, and a trim clip remover. The dashboard bezel on the 1997 Grand Prix is inserted on the front of the dashboard from your left knee (when sitting in the driver's seat), to the right and below the stereo, heater control console. Remove the entire faceplate by hand, once you have removed all of the retainer clips and screws.
Remove the instrument cluster face plate by pulling it forward until all of the clips release the plate.
Remove the four instrument cluster mounting bolts from the corners of the instrument cluster, using a 1/4-inch drive ratchet and socket, with at least a 4-inch extension. The extension between the ratchet and socket will give you added reach and leverage, for removing the instrument cluster mounting bolts.
Tilt the top of the cluster back toward the front of the car to remove the cluster from the two alignment or locating pins. Pull the instrument cluster outward from the dashboard gently. Remove the two electrical connection plugs from the rear of the instrument cluster, using your thumb and forefinger to pinch the plug and pull it out from behind the cluster. Remove the instrument cluster from the Grand Prix.
