What a bear. This is really hard.
I'm in the process of removing my center console so that I can replace the wood trim with aluminum trim. I have all the screws out, and I've just finished the looong process of monkeying my arm up behind the half loose console and pushing out all the instruments, disconnecting them, and marking their cables.
I've finally got them all out and I'm ready to pull out the console. The hard part about that is getting it past the e-brake lever. According to the Stygar instructions, you push the front of the console down some, and then push it forward until the vinyl gets past the e-brake.
I'm coming up an inch and a half shy of making it. Mostly, this is due to the fan motor unit that is still attached to the driver's side of the console trim. I've disconnected it's wiring, but I can't figure out how to remove the unit. Does anybody have any tips or pointers for removing this unit? It's the cylindrical fan motor looking thing about 2.5" in diameter and 3" long. Its the thing that's just behind the little "vent" you see on the driver's side of the console.
Any help would be appreciated. Any other instructions / tricks for getting the console past the e-brake handle?
Thanks guys.
- Bill
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That's actually the "chime" unit (reminds you of seatbelts, headlights left on, key in the ignition, etc.).
Unfortunately, I don't remember how I got mine out when I removed the console. It probably just has some type of retaining clips...
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Ok.. I got it off there.
You have to pry off the outer plastic vent cover. That.. is what's holding the chime module's mounting flange on there.
Once that was off, I was barely able to slide the console past the e-brake handle. It's outta there!!
I'm now at the turn around point (arr arr). Aluminum console trim going in now.
My god. Fellas.. don't ever scratch any of the trim pieces associated with the console tunnel. And pray that no switches ever die. What a beast to take the console out. Lotta work. A lot of little "bits" to remember along the way. And very high risk to scratching other vinyl parts in the car. Ooi..
I'm gonna try to document some of this stuff.
Tip #39: Tighten the three bolts holding in the e-brake lever while yer in there. Mine were only "lightly" tightened. I tightened 'em up and now the e-brake lever feels solid and doesn't creak anymore.
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| Reply » Help - Having difficulties removing center console... |
Quote: Ok.. I got it off there.
You have to pry off the outer plastic vent cover. That.. is what's holding the chime module's mounting flange on there.
Once that was off, I was barely able to slide the console past the e-brake handle. It's outta there!!
I'm now at the turn around point (arr arr). Aluminum console trim going in now.
My god. Fellas.. don't ever scratch any of the trim pieces associated with the console tunnel. And pray that no switches ever die. What a beast to take the console out. Lotta work. A lot of little "bits" to remember along the way. And very high risk to scratching other vinyl parts in the car. Ooi..
I'm gonna try to document some of this stuff.
Tip #39: Tighten the three bolts holding in the e-brake lever while yer in there. Mine were only "lightly" tightened. I tightened 'em up and now the e-brake lever feels solid and doesn't creak anymore. | I've had my center console out at least half a dozen times, and I still dread doing it. PITA, always a good idea ot let work under there accumulate until it's worth taking it out. 
The big caution... the tabs on the driver's side dash underpanel and the glovebox are known to fall apart after repeated console removal/installation and/or removal of the glove box and underpanel. Ask me how I know. All 4 of mine have been replaced with some fiberglass work a friend did for me.
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| Reply » Help - Having difficulties removing center console... |
One other tip to struggle less with console removal the next time... mark the nuts for the e-brake bowden cable adjustments, then loosen them 6 turns or so before removing the center console. It makes removal easier (e-brake will lift further). Tighten them 6 turns when you replace it, returning your marks to the same position as before removal.
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| Reply » Help - Having difficulties removing center console... |
Thanks guys.
So, does the center console have to come out to do the glove box reinforcement bar mod? Oops.. hope not.
On that chime unit. I don't really want to hear the chime. Can I just leave that component out when I reassemble? Or will having it diconnected cause an idiot light to come on or perhaps some kind of control code error in the computer.
2001 3.0i if that makes a difference.
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Help - Having difficulties removing center console...