Ashtray Door Removal
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
There are a couple of screws on the inside of the door to remove the ashtray door cover. If you have a really short stubby Phillips screwdriver then you might be able to do it. Otherwise to remove the full ashtray door you have to take the entire console out.
I don't see how you can possibly remove the door without removing the console. There are 4 screws holding the cover onto the door itself - to remove these, with the ashtray assembly off, two are removed with the door in the open position & two with it in the closed position.
So my $0.02 says you must remove the console, then remove the ash-tray from the console before removing the door cover.
Here's a "how-to" on removing the console:
(click on thumb-nails for full pics)
(Of course no need to remove the A/C panel or radio)
So my $0.02 says you must remove the console, then remove the ash-tray from the console before removing the door cover.
Here's a "how-to" on removing the console:
(click on thumb-nails for full pics)
(Of course no need to remove the A/C panel or radio)
I can tell you that getting the vent out can be a pain in the rump. I got tired of messing with it, so I took the little metal retaining clips off so that the next time I have to remove it, it comes right out. It still holds snug without these clips.
The only part where you could possibly scratch something would be removing the clock - the vent assembly is just screwed in after you remove the clock so no danger of any damage past that point.
If you see the diagram above, it suggests using a cloth to protect the frame of the vent assembly as you remove the clock - you can also try using a credit card.
If you see the diagram above, it suggests using a cloth to protect the frame of the vent assembly as you remove the clock - you can also try using a credit card.
- Joined
- 23 January 2001
- Messages
- 1,809
The clock is the easy part. I can usually pull that out without tools.
The air vents are the tough part. After you remove the screws, there are 2 clips on the bottom that hold it in. You have to get something under the console and vents to release these. Getting those clips to unlatch is a huge pain in the butt, and to date, I've not been able to get these out without scratching the console. If you can get the vents out w/o undoing these clips, I'd like to know!
The air vents are the tough part. After you remove the screws, there are 2 clips on the bottom that hold it in. You have to get something under the console and vents to release these. Getting those clips to unlatch is a huge pain in the butt, and to date, I've not been able to get these out without scratching the console. If you can get the vents out w/o undoing these clips, I'd like to know!
I've removed this on at least 4 different cars I can immediately think of off top of my head & never had a problem with the clips and never had to do anything special that I am consciously aware of.
Maybe try tilting it out & up from the top at an angle first - I can't honestly say for sure if that will work, but intuitively that might help? You could also try the credit card method on the clips if that doesn't work?
Maybe try tilting it out & up from the top at an angle first - I can't honestly say for sure if that will work, but intuitively that might help? You could also try the credit card method on the clips if that doesn't work?
The clips on the underside of the vent assembly can be a royal pain in the ass and it's easy to scratch the top of the center console while trying to get them to unhook.
I've used the following procedure several times.
Using masking tape, cover the top edge of the center console where it meets the vents. Do this before you attempt removal to protect the center console. It scratches VERY EASILY. Now remove the screws that you exposed after removing the clock assembly. If you're lucky, you'll be able to lift out the vents by gently pulling out the upper part of the assembly. In most cases though you'll have to continue and unclip the lower part. Read on....
Using a flat head jeweler's screwdriver gently slide it under the vent assembly from the outside edge then tilt it so the end lifts up the clip. You want to point the end of the screwdriver towards the center of the console. At this point the vent assembly will suddenly loosen and you'll see it lift slightly. While keeping the screwdriver in place slide the edge of an index card under the bottom edge of the vent assembly and under the raised clip preventing it from latching. Repeat the procedure on the other side and voila!
I've used the following procedure several times.
Using masking tape, cover the top edge of the center console where it meets the vents. Do this before you attempt removal to protect the center console. It scratches VERY EASILY. Now remove the screws that you exposed after removing the clock assembly. If you're lucky, you'll be able to lift out the vents by gently pulling out the upper part of the assembly. In most cases though you'll have to continue and unclip the lower part. Read on....
Using a flat head jeweler's screwdriver gently slide it under the vent assembly from the outside edge then tilt it so the end lifts up the clip. You want to point the end of the screwdriver towards the center of the console. At this point the vent assembly will suddenly loosen and you'll see it lift slightly. While keeping the screwdriver in place slide the edge of an index card under the bottom edge of the vent assembly and under the raised clip preventing it from latching. Repeat the procedure on the other side and voila!
