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Does anyone know the trick to removing the switch blanks on the console (beside ash tray)? I have nice new switches to put in there, but the blanks are in so tight, I don't want to break the mounts getting them out.
Does anyone know the trick to removing the switch blanks on the console (beside ash tray)? I have nice new switches to put in there, but the blanks are in so tight, I don't want to break the mounts getting them out.
I changed my rear center console out for an arctic silver unit and if Im remember correctly there is a screw under the ash tray and then the complete assembly just snaps out of the console. It is pretty tight though! Then just unplug the harness!
Great Pics and mods, but how do you get the blanks out? I can get the console out with no difficulty, but the switch blanks are in very tight. Is there a secret spot to push to get them to eject?
Great Pics and mods, but how do you get the blanks out? I can get the console out with no difficulty, but the switch blanks are in very tight. Is there a secret spot to push to get them to eject?
Again, tight fit. They just pop out when pushing from the front.
Again, tight fit. They just pop out when pushing from the front.
That's right. Push harder. When you have it apart you can also see when pushing, you can move one of the corner spears of the blank toward the center. Once you've unhooked one corner of the blank, it'll come out easy.
Yep, got them off no problem... The trick with the blanks is to pull the two posts towards the middle and the side with the posts pops off. Then it's easy to push the whole switch out the bottom.
Be careful when ordering... They have both glossy and non-glossy blanks. Make sure you specify what you need. Even though I specified what car it was for - they sent me the wrong ones.
The blanks come out from the bottom - they do not push up through the top.
There are two sides to the blanks. One side has long arms; these are useful at step 2b.
Step 1. Remove the ash tray by: flip the lid and pull that tray out. Then remove the assembly that holds the blanks and window swiches by unscrewing the two 'star' screws. Then pull off the cable that feeds the tiny lamp (so you can see the underside of the unit and more easily gain access to the underside).
Step 2. a) I inserted a small blade up the side without the long arms. Then I pushed the blank from the top whilst b) easing the long arms inwards. The blanks are held in place near the top by very small lugs and it is by effectively squeezing the undersides of the blank together that you may release the blank.
I then snap fitted heated seat switches one at a time simply by offering them up and once I was happy they were aligned I pushed up until they snapped into place.
Step 3. Refit the lamp feed and I checked the electric windows before putting everything back in place.
Ta da!
CARE!
PLEASE be very careful not to scratch the surrounding (in my car's case) light grey trim which appears to be grey paint on black plastic!
I do hope this helps.
Keith
Originally Posted by jjbravo
That's right. Push harder. When you have it apart you can also see when pushing, you can move one of the corner spears of the blank toward the center. Once you've unhooked one corner of the blank, it'll come out easy.
I found it's actually very simple:
insert a flat blade screw driver into the notch between the bottom of the black button & top edge of the frame around the blank button. Then push down on the screw driver handle, prying up the bottom of the button.
The button snaps in at the bottom, out the back away from frame. Very little pressure. See picture:
(Thought I'd put an updated answer & picture in this thread because it's the first article specifically about blank removal in Google.)
05-22-2010, 02:04 PM
