How To Remove Your Entire Center Console
I figured since we didn't have a write-up on how to remove the center consoles in our cars, i'd make one.
*** This guide is for an automatic transmission ***
It is a very similar process to a 5spd. For a 5spd, remove the boot, shifter, and handle and you will be all set.
Removing your center console will give you access to:
You may have to move the car from park to Drive/1/2 in order to get the console out of its place. Just wiggle it around until the e-brake breaks through.
Step 1:
Begin by removing the shifter trim panel by pulling it upwards and towards you. Done easiest by grabbing at these selected areas:
Step 2:
Pull the panel up and away from the shifter, but do not force it, there should be a wire behind it connecting to the cigarette lighter.
Step 3:
Disconnect the cigarette wire & harness simply by pulling it away from the panel.
Step 4:
Now go ahead and pull the trim panel straight up and out of it place. You can wiggle it around in order to bypass the shifter.
Step 5:
Now go ahead and open up your center console and you will find 3 rubber pieces that are covering 2 bolts.
Go ahead and remove these 3 rubber pieces and you should now see 2 screws.
Step 6:
Use a screwdriver to unscrew these 2 and place them in a safe location along with the rubber pieces.
Step 7:
Once both screws are removed, using either a flathead or your hands, pull the center console upwards and it should pop right out.
With the center console removed, you should now see 7 more screws.
Step 8:
Using a torx screwdriver T15, remove the 2 bolts in the middle.
Using a regular screwdriver remove the 3 upper and 2 lower bolts.
It should look like this afterwards:
Step 9:
Now disconnect all wiring harness located under the center console (such as fog lights, ash tray light, cigarette lights, convertible top)
Step 10:
Once all that is complete, the entire center console should just pop right out.
You may have to wiggle it around. Don't force anything or use too much pressure because the plastic or some retainers may break.
That's it! Now that your center console is removed, you may switch out your shifter bulb, remove your e-brake, swap out your shifter, re-wire your foglights, and much much more.
To re-install, just follow this guide backwards and remember to re-tighten all bolts and screws, as well as re-insert the rubber pieces that sit atop the bolts on your console.
I figured since we didn't have a write-up on how to remove the center consoles in our cars, i'd make one.
*** This guide is for an automatic transmission ***
It is a very similar process to a 5spd. For a 5spd, remove the boot, shifter, and handle and you will be all set.
Removing your center console will give you access to:
- Emergency brake & assembly
- Shifter
- Shifter bulb
- Fog light controls (you can do the fog light mod from here)
- Convertible top button (if you have a vert)
- Ash tray bulb
- Cigarette lighter and power outlet
- Torx screwdriver (t15)
- Regular screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver (optional)
You may have to move the car from park to Drive/1/2 in order to get the console out of its place. Just wiggle it around until the e-brake breaks through.
Step 1:
Begin by removing the shifter trim panel by pulling it upwards and towards you. Done easiest by grabbing at these selected areas:
Step 2:
Pull the panel up and away from the shifter, but do not force it, there should be a wire behind it connecting to the cigarette lighter.
Step 3:
Disconnect the cigarette wire & harness simply by pulling it away from the panel.
Step 4:
Now go ahead and pull the trim panel straight up and out of it place. You can wiggle it around in order to bypass the shifter.
Step 5:
Now go ahead and open up your center console and you will find 3 rubber pieces that are covering 2 bolts.
Go ahead and remove these 3 rubber pieces and you should now see 2 screws.
Step 6:
Use a screwdriver to unscrew these 2 and place them in a safe location along with the rubber pieces.
Step 7:
Once both screws are removed, using either a flathead or your hands, pull the center console upwards and it should pop right out.
With the center console removed, you should now see 7 more screws.
Step 8:
Using a torx screwdriver T15, remove the 2 bolts in the middle.
Using a regular screwdriver remove the 3 upper and 2 lower bolts.
It should look like this afterwards:
Step 9:
Now disconnect all wiring harness located under the center console (such as fog lights, ash tray light, cigarette lights, convertible top)
Step 10:
Once all that is complete, the entire center console should just pop right out.
You may have to wiggle it around. Don't force anything or use too much pressure because the plastic or some retainers may break.
That's it! Now that your center console is removed, you may switch out your shifter bulb, remove your e-brake, swap out your shifter, re-wire your foglights, and much much more.
To re-install, just follow this guide backwards and remember to re-tighten all bolts and screws, as well as re-insert the rubber pieces that sit atop the bolts on your console.
