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      04-19-2008, 05:21 PM   #23
GregW / Oregon
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Console top removal

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Originally Posted by zieglerc View Post
I pulled REALLY hard on the center console but couldn't get it to come off... didn't feel comfortable trying any harder for fear that I'd break something. How hard did you guys have to pull?
Fairly hard, but you have to work it up all the way around. Start at the shift knob opening after you have pulled the boot free. There are 8 friction fit prongs in pairs: 1) either side of the ashtray; 2) either side of the shifter; 3) behind the shifter; and, 4) at the very rear. Lift the armrest to be able to lift the rear free.
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      04-19-2008, 06:01 PM   #24
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Success!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
I finally did the front today. Note that you do lose the subtle LED illumination that the stock ashtray has. The sunglass compartment has no illumination.

Edit: Or maybe not! I have an idea. Back later
Okay, I fugured out how to add the light that illuminated the ashtray into the sunglass compartment. I drilled a 1/4" hole through the rear center of the compartment. I then removed the LED and associated wiring from the old ashtray, and did some minor rewiring to eliminate the cigarette lighter wires. I then epoxyed the LED to the back underside of the compartment with the LED centered in the hole. Let the epoxy dry, then reassemble the whole thing. Not too bad. Now there is a nice orange glow into the compartment.
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      04-19-2008, 06:03 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Fairly hard, but you have to work it up all the way around. Start at the shift knob opening after you have pulled the boot free. There are 8 friction fit prongs in pairs: 1) either side of the ashtray; 2) either side of the shifter; 3) behind the shifter; and, 4) at the very rear. Lift the armrest to be able to lift the rear free.
Excellent, thanks - you're giving me the confidence to have another go at it. Wish me luck.
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      04-19-2008, 07:28 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Okay, I fugured out how to add the light that illuminated the ashtray into the sunglass compartment. I drilled a 1/4" hole through the rear center of the compartment. I then removed the LED and associated wiring from the old ashtray, and did some minor rewiring to eliminate the cigarette lighter wires. I then epoxyed the LED to the back underside of the compartment with the LED centered in the hole. Let the epoxy dry, then reassemble the hole thing. Not too bad. No there is a nice orange glow into the compartment.
I know I may regret admitting this but I was actually trying to disassemble the lighter itself to remove it vs. simply unplugging that white plug. What a dumbass. Anyway, what type of rewiring did you have to do to get this to work...There were actually two LED lights left from the old piece.....did you just want to use one?
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      04-19-2008, 07:44 PM   #27
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Light hookup for sunglass compartment

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Originally Posted by yahtzee View Post
I know I may regret admitting this but I was actually trying to disassemble the lighter itself to remove it vs. simply unplugging that white plug. What a dumbass. Anyway, what type of rewiring did you have to do to get this to work...There were actually two LED lights left from the old piece.....did you just want to use one?
I used the one that previously illuminated the ash tray. So, I kept the ground (brown) wire and power wire for the LED. The ground needed to be spliced because it attached to the lighter. I cut and taped off the remaining unused wires and inch or so from the connector. I may decide to add a 12V power outlet somewhere in the console. Very simple and effective.
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      04-19-2008, 08:51 PM   #28
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Success. Sort of. The lid protrudes underneath the front a little more than it used to, which makes opening the spectacles tray pretty difficult once it's closed. Not quite sure what to do about this... I might take a dremel to it, it really just needs to be about 0.5mm shorter. I have my 1200mi service on monday, so I'll consult with them and see what they think.
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      04-19-2008, 08:55 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglerc View Post
Success. Sort of. The lid protrudes underneath the front a little more than it used to, which makes opening the spectacles tray pretty difficult once it's closed. Not quite sure what to do about this... I might take a dremel to it, it really just needs to be about 0.5mm shorter. I have my 1200mi service on monday, so I'll consult with them and see what they think.
There should be no difference if you've done it correctly. I found I had trouble opening the lid first time I installed it. On closer inspection, the tabs on one side of the llid cover were not engaged properly and it was sticking up a little on one side. That's the hardest part of the whole thing--getting that frigging cover back on properly.

Anyhow, I redid it and it works perfectly now. You might want to take another look at it tomorrow when you're fresh.
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      04-20-2008, 08:34 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
I used the one that previously illuminated the ash tray. So, I kept the ground (brown) wire and power wire for the LED. The ground needed to be spliced because it attached to the lighter. I cut and taped off the remaining unused wires and inch or so from the connector. I may decide to add a 12V power outlet somewhere in the console. Very simple and effective.
I cut the wires right at the end of the lighter....as it sits those two led's should work when plugged back in? How did you splice?
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      04-20-2008, 10:04 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yahtzee View Post
I cut the wires right at the end of the lighter....as it sits those two led's should work when plugged back in? How did you splice?
I used telephone style crimp connectors designed for small gauge (22-26) wiring. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103505. The ground wire is larger, but you don't need all the strands of it with the reduced load.
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      04-20-2008, 10:27 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
There should be no difference if you've done it correctly. I found I had trouble opening the lid first time I installed it. On closer inspection, the tabs on one side of the llid cover were not engaged properly and it was sticking up a little on one side. That's the hardest part of the whole thing--getting that frigging cover back on properly.

Anyhow, I redid it and it works perfectly now. You might want to take another look at it tomorrow when you're fresh.
I got the lid back on with no issue but the little hinge release is being picky. I have taken it back off to add the lights (spacers drying now) and don't see any reason why the little slide/hinge piece would be getting stuck....double checked the cover and all appears well.
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      04-20-2008, 10:43 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yahtzee View Post
I got the lid back on with no issue but the little hinge release is being picky. I have taken it back off to add the lights (spacers drying now) and don't see any reason why the little slide/hinge piece would be getting stuck....double checked the cover and all appears well.
I'm sure you've checked it, but make sure the back (hinge) edge of the cover is down tight against the lid, not just the front edge that you see from the seat side. If it's not, you need to take it off and get all the tabs engaged on that side.
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      04-20-2008, 01:46 PM   #34
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Strangest thing, I went back out to the car today and the lid was working fine! Guess it just needed a night to settle.

One word of warning for anyone who hasn't yet undertaken the project: I was expecting T20 screws on the ashtray, and it turns out they're T10.
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      04-20-2008, 04:53 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglerc View Post
Strangest thing, I went back out to the car today and the lid was working fine! Guess it just needed a night to settle.

One word of warning for anyone who hasn't yet undertaken the project: I was expecting T20 screws on the ashtray, and it turns out they're T10.
Hopefully, every DIYer has a full set of bits.
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      04-20-2008, 07:02 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Hopefully, every DIYer has a full set of bits.
Hey, if I can save one person a trip back into the house to retrieve a different bit, that's a win in my book!

In my case, my car is parked several blocks from my apartment, so it was a bit of a hike.
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      04-21-2008, 09:20 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
I used telephone style crimp connectors designed for small gauge (22-26) wiring. http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103505. The ground wire is larger, but you don't need all the strands of it with the reduced load.
I put two LED's in the back of the sunglasses holder and on my way up the road this morning, I noticed that one had stopped working. i used 1 minute epoxy on both LED's.....this could get messy. Where would i find two more LED's that would closely resemble what comes in the car?
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      04-21-2008, 10:19 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yahtzee View Post
I put two LED's in the back of the sunglasses holder and on my way up the road this morning, I noticed that one had stopped working. i used 1 minute epoxy on both LED's.....this could get messy. Where would i find two more LED's that would closely resemble what comes in the car?
Check your wiring. Also, they only illuminate with the parking or headlights on, I believe.
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      04-22-2008, 08:36 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Check your wiring. Also, they only illuminate with the parking or headlights on, I believe.
Did that again this morning.....took the cap off of the three wires and re-twisted it. Only one lights up. May look for someone on here who isnt using the ones from the lighter that converted to the sunglasses holder.
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      04-23-2008, 10:04 AM   #40
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Outlet in center console

Can someone who does NOT have the factory iPod/USB option confirm if there is still a 12V outlet in the center armrest console?
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      06-03-2008, 10:26 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Can someone who does NOT have the factory iPod/USB option confirm if there is still a 12V outlet in the center armrest console?
yes there still is, I was in Manny212 car today and its definitely there next to the AUX plug...
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      06-06-2008, 06:45 PM   #42
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Greg, Any before and after pics? Would love to do this in my car!
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      06-07-2008, 10:30 AM   #43
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Greg, Any before and after pics? Would love to do this in my car!
After is in post #24 above.
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      06-13-2008, 11:26 AM   #44
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Just converted my car from a smoker to a sunglass holding car today.. Took me a total of 10 minutes. The trim piece is very easy to change only takes a flat screwdriver to pop it off.
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