When I have my ashtray assembly out, it works fine. When I push it into its proper spot where it has pressure on it from other parts around it, it won't stay closed; the little locking mechanism doesn't click into place then.

What would cause that? If I could see how the little lock works, I could figure out what's causing the problem, but I can't see anything. I did make sure to stuff the cigarette lighter wire way back in, behind the metal bracket behind the ashtray to make sure that's not impeding anything.

1991 300d, 182k

I took the ashtray assembly out all over again, and found that the locking mechanism is not on the inside; it's on the outside.

I could see the little lever was abraiding the assembly, preventing it from springing as it should, so I shot a bit of lithium on it, and it works like a champ once again!