Hello. Here's my situation... i dropped some small papers the other day into the slot under the coin box (i'm just going to call it that 'cause that's what I use it for...) that can't be reached with the box lid open or closed. But there's a little slit you see while opening and closing it. Anyway, I took out the cover and cleaned my garbage out of there, but now the spring is no longer attached (so the lid has to be manually moved all the way). I tried for a while to get it back on without removing the console, but that didn't work.

I found the thread here about removing the center console, and it says to pry up at the end of the silver parts. I can't get that to work at all... it doesn't budge. I can pull out just a little bit near the top of that section around the radio/fan area, but nothing moves when I pull up towards the bottom part. Is A LOT of force required to pull off the silver parts? Is there another way to get underneath the coin box?

Would they help me do this (for free) at a dealership, too (going in for free oil change soon)? And if all else fails, is there anyone here around Arlington, VA with a couple minutes to spare? :D

Thanks!

 

what is the coin box and where is this spring... i have NO idea what you are talking about right now...

 

looking at Pics 5 and 6 in this thread: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...postorder=asc&

Its the tiny compartment to the right of the e-brake that flips up.
The spring is inside and attaches to the cover through a small hole... it's not visible unless you take the cover off completely... which in turn means the spring has come off.

 

Okay, first you pull up and out on the 2 silver parts where the cubby hole is. then you grab it about where the shifter is, just a slightly above. pull up and away from you. that should get that top piece out. then you take the bottom peice out by pulling toward yourself. i get coins stuck in the lid and it doesnt open all the way all the time so everytime i empty that thing of coins, i have to do this. and usually its like twice a month. lol. hope this helps...

 

Before you go ripping things apart, you can pretty easily pull the carpet out from under the console. It's pretty much just tucked inthere, so if you pull it out so that you can see under the whole shifter-assembly portion of the console you might be able to get something going. I did this to retrieve my shift **** adapter after my brother dropped it into the abyss of the e-brake. It helps to get a bright flashlight and to get your head at carpet-level to get the best view, then use maybe a long screwdriver to fish whatever it is out. Best of luck.

 

its very simple to lift the silver piece off. if you have an automatic you might be getting caught on the piece around the shifter, so you'll have to coax it. also on the auto you will need to shift to neutral to make it easier. should take all of 15 seconds to remove. i use a large plastic spatula in the crevices to keep from scratching anything.

 

For the life of me, I can't pop this thing off. I added some numbers to that other photo... I have an automatic, by the way.


What I am able to do is pop out section #1 just a little bit, maybe half a centimeter. That comes real easy. Then if I try to work my way down towards #2, everything's just stiff. If I try at section #2 to begin with, nothing budges. I don't know what I'm doing wrong here.

Any other tips? Also, is #1 and #3 attached together as one piece?
Thanks for all the help.

 

Oh yeah! take off your shift ****. i dont know if you already knew to do that.. but i'll just say it anyway.

and #3 doesn't come out. thats if it's the cubby hole.. 1 is attached to the other silver piece on the right..

 

ok, take your plastic spatula, or taped off screwdriver head and stick in into #1, pull a little and yout get 1/2" clearance for yourself, now do the same to the right side you get a 1/2" there

now get the tool under #2...not where your red line is, and give yourself a little room there too. the same on the other side.

Now get a hand hold behind the gap you made by #1, and his partner on the right side...it will be a pulling motion..pull toward you and up.

but the problem you have is the one you cannot see. you put that goofy boot on your automatic shifter. remember i told you you'd have to "coax" it around the shift plate? thats because the shift plate sits flush with the rectangular opening of the trim piece you are trying to remove. if you didn't have the boot there you'd see it. you basically have to help it forward by giving gentle upwards pressure directly over the shift plate. once you have it pulled forward an inch, you will need to engage the e-brake and shift to neutral to get the piece to clear the shift ****.