Im new here and I personally don't own a magnum but my aunt does... It's an 05 rt. She needed a heater core and I did extensive research (googled it and i found this forum and others too) to figure out how to replace it. I got conflicting details on my search. The main thing is do you need to remove the whole dash to replace it and the answer is NO.... HELL NO!
I just took everything off that was underneath the steering wheel. The plastic panel that the parking brake release lever is connected to, a metal plate that's behind that and the "fabric" panel that's under that. Take the actuator off and the panel that it attaches too, it's a total of 5 8mm bolts. Then you will see the core with 2 metal tubes running to it. Disconnect the clamps with a flat head, unplug the other acuator but don't remove it. Then remove the 8mm bolt that holes the core in place and you will be able to pull it out. Oh yea you must take the steering column down. No need to totally remove it just take the 3 bolts off that hold it in place (the guage cluster must come out to access the bolts). Once the column is loose move it to the side and pull the core out and replace. You will have to wiggle and push the metal tubes that go to the core towards the front of the car to get it out also. I did this once and it took me about 2 hrs to complete. Make sure to replace the o rings and take extra care to make sure when you reassemble that the clamps that go on the heater core tubes are secure.
I'm sure this will help alot of people as I thought the whole dash had to come out because I couldn't get detailed info for a magnum and when I did fash removal was involved which it is not. I bet that goes for the 300 and charger also but not 100%.
I just took everything off that was underneath the steering wheel. The plastic panel that the parking brake release lever is connected to, a metal plate that's behind that and the "fabric" panel that's under that. Take the actuator off and the panel that it attaches too, it's a total of 5 8mm bolts. Then you will see the core with 2 metal tubes running to it. Disconnect the clamps with a flat head, unplug the other acuator but don't remove it. Then remove the 8mm bolt that holes the core in place and you will be able to pull it out. Oh yea you must take the steering column down. No need to totally remove it just take the 3 bolts off that hold it in place (the guage cluster must come out to access the bolts). Once the column is loose move it to the side and pull the core out and replace. You will have to wiggle and push the metal tubes that go to the core towards the front of the car to get it out also. I did this once and it took me about 2 hrs to complete. Make sure to replace the o rings and take extra care to make sure when you reassemble that the clamps that go on the heater core tubes are secure.
I'm sure this will help alot of people as I thought the whole dash had to come out because I couldn't get detailed info for a magnum and when I did fash removal was involved which it is not. I bet that goes for the 300 and charger also but not 100%.
