Removing and Installing the Center Console

[Randy Chase]

Removing the center console to access the shifter, paint the console, or to run wires from the rear bulkhead/firewall to the dash area... is a pretty simple task and does not require the removal of the seats. You will need the following tools:

Torx screwdriver or an Allen wrench (for the screws on the sides of the console)
Philips screwdriver
Dykes/snips
Replacement Cable Tie
Small container for the removed fasteners.

This job needs to be done on level ground and preferably with wheel chocks.

Steps-

1. Remove the single philips screw at the bottom of the labial cup holder between the seats. Then remove the black plastic cup holder.

2. Inside the cup holder housing (the remaining part) you will see two screws attached to a small metal bracket. Using a philips screwdriver, remove these two screws.

3. Disconnect the cigarette lighter adapter from the cable connector. The connector is a simple one and only goes on one direction, so just pull it off.

4. Remove the two side screws from the side of the console. The proper tool is a Torx bit, but you can use an Allen wrench also. There should also be some washers.

5. Remove the handle (sleeve) from the hand brake lever. It is held on with two Allen screws. Loosen the Allen screws and slide the sleeve off.

6. Pull up on the hand brake lever as you would to engage the brake. Make sure you pull it up as far as it will go.

At this point, the console is no longer retained and can be moved around. It is being held in by the shifter knob at the front, and the hand brake lever at the rear. You should be able to pull up the console at the front.

7. Disconnect the cables connecting to the Emergency Flasher switch at the front, and to Electric Lock Switch cable. If your car has a console mounted Traction Control Switch, disconnect that also. The Emergency Flasher switch disconnects at the back of the switch (locking tab). The Electric Lock and Traction Control have short cables that have inline connectors.

8. Pull up higher on the front of the console. The only thing retaining it at this point, is the shifter boot be captured on the shift rod. The motion is a slightly forward direction as you pull up and the rearward part will clear the hand brake lever. Cut the cable tie that holds the boot on to the rod if you need to fully remove the console.

9. Remove the console at this point from the car. Note, if you were only raising the console to gain access or run wires, you can skip the step to cut the cable tie.

If you need to remove the bits from the console (for example, to paint the console), then bend in the clips holding in the switches and push them out. The cigarette lighter adapter also snaps out. The boot is held in with metal clips that are easily pulled off.

To reassemble, just reverse the above.

If you are running wires, take care to stay away from the shift mechanisms.

If you need to remove the shift knob (you should not if your goal is to just remove the console), the early shift knobs were just screwed on to the rod. You should apply loctite blue to the knob when re-installing so as to help it from unscrewing when installed with the shift pattern right reading. Newer knobs (or knobs+rods that were replaced from the factory recall) have a set screw in the forward side.

I have removed and installed my center console a number of times now, for various reasons. I would like to acknowledge that the first time I did, I was helped by Stan's instructions from when he painted his console in September of 2004.

For your information, when I painted the console, I had very good results first fine sanding the console to improve paint adhesion and also to reduce some of the molded in texture. Primer coat. Then 2-3 coats of the paint color, followed by one coat of clear.

Pics to follow.