Do I need to totally Dismantle Centre Console?

[Duncodin]

The panel at the front of the centre console - the one with the radio, climate control knobs and clock.

I want to swap that out. Can it be removed without removing the whole centre console?

Thanks guys.

 

[Lee]

Don't think it can mate, has some screws coming from the rear attaching it to the console.

 

[Pond]

Nope.
The whole thing has to come out, as the vertical panel with the heater controls is screwed to metal brackets/ strengtheners which you can't get to from the front.
BTW it's a pain getting the console out.

 

[Duncodin]

I got the console out now - thank guys.

 

[as400]

The panel at the front of the centre console - the one with the radio, climate control knobs and clock.
I want to swap that out.......
Thanks guys.

Ooh! what's the plan?....I have looked into adding a row of 3 gauges to mine as per Z3M but it seemed too much trouble.

 

[Duncodin]

Ooh! what's the plan?....I have looked into adding a row of 3 gauges to mine as per Z3M but it seemed too much trouble.

Sorry. Nothing so exiting. Just dumping the preface square digital clock and putting in the facelift panel with round one.

But your idea of gauges sounds good too.

 

[Neilb62]

I have a new OBC to fit, the fact the whole shebang has to come out is enough to put it off…

 

[John_B]

I have a new OBC to fit, the fact the whole shebang has to come out is enough to put it off…

There is enough wiggle room to push the OBC out by removing the two screws along the footwell edge (if that makes sense?) and squeezing your hand far enough up to pop it out from behind.

(Edit to add: That was a pre-facelift one btw, on the assumption that the facelift version just pops out too)

 

[Duncodin]

There is enough wiggle room to push the OBC out by removing the two screws along the footwell edge (if that makes sense?) and squeezing your hand far enough up to pop it out from behind.

(Edit to add: That was a pre-facelift one btw, on the assumption that the facelift version just pops out too)

I've never done this. So do not do this at home. But, as John said, it does 'pop out'. No screws. So would it be possible to stick a double sided sticky pad onto the old one and just pull it out. Won't matter if the sticky residue doesn't want to come off the old one.

I'm also talking about the square prefacelift clock. BTW.

 

[John_B]

I've never done this. So do not do this at home. But, as John said, it does 'pop out'. No screws. So would it be possible to stick a double sided sticky pad onto the old one and just pull it out. Won't matter if the sticky residue doesn't want to come off the old one.

I'm also talking about the square prefacelift clock. BTW.

That's a good idea, particularly if the old unit is destined for the bin!!

 

[Pond]

The later (round) fuel computer is screwed in from the rear; which is helpful! NOT.

 

[1.9GDE]

I've never done this. So do not do this at home. But, as John said, it does 'pop out'. No screws. So would it be possible to stick a double sided sticky pad onto the old one and just pull it out. Won't matter if the sticky residue doesn't want to come off the old one.

I'm also talking about the square prefacelift clock. BTW.

you wont be able to pull it out from the front with a sticky pad as there are plastic clips on either side of the OBC (behind the console) that need to be squeezed to releaser it, then it can be pushed out.

 

[Duncodin]

you wont be able to pull it out from the front with a sticky pad as there are plastic clips on either side of the OBC (behind the console) that need to be squeezed to releaser it, then it can be pushed out.

My preface clock has the plastic tabs you mention but I couldn't get my fingers in there to squeeze the tabs even with the console upside down on my lap. But the tabs/clips are kinda wedge shaped so just a bit of pressure on the back of the clock and it popped out.

But. As you said earlier. The facelift round one is screwed in.

 

[Duncodin]

I've had my console out and back in - 'again'.

It went back in again but the ciggy lighter light went missing in the birdsnest of wires so had to take the whole thing back out again.

Looking at instructions online people always wiggle it out at a sideways angle and it's a real struggle.

But I realized, more by accident, that it comes out real easy if you just lift the back straight up and over tipping it vertically. Didn't even need to remove the gear knob - obviously need to lower the softop to get the height clearance.

 

[Wenic]

You don’t have to take apart the whole center console. Usually, you can just pop off the panel with some trim removal tools. It’s mostly held in by clips.

 

[DomiMik]

You don’t have to take apart the whole center console. Usually, you can just pop off the panel with some trim removal tools. It’s mostly held in by clips.

No, definitely not possible. You would ruin both panels if you try it this way.

 

[Duncodin]

No, definitely not possible. You would ruin both panels if you try it this way.

Correct. The panel around the gearknob and the panel with the heater knobs. The two panels have a screw in the middle and that screw is only accessible from below. The panel with the heater knobs has two biggish tabs that hook into the sides of the console. These can also only be unhooked when the console is out.

So don't try to remove the panels from the console.