Cover plate problem
 

The cover plate which closes the cigarette lighter and ash tray on my 2005 ML350, won't stay closed. Any help on how to remove the whole unit so I can see why it is not latching closed will be appreciated.

rsl007

I bet it's like my W210 inside. When I got it, the cover would easily move and felt very nice, but would not stay closed. There are a couple of plastic pins that catch little slots to hold it closed, and they broke.

I drilled through the plastic pieces, wrapped some thin brass into small cylinders and glued them together.

Sorry that I can't help you get it out, but I'm sure that it's not too similar to my car.

There is usually a coin or something behind the slider getting in the way.
Sadly, the whole console has to be removed to remove the ashtray unit.
I would look with a strong light under the ashtray door for coins or debris
and try to pull out with hook tool.

Thank you.......

rsl007

Dr. Diesel:

Any chance to quickly run through how the consol comes apart on my 2005 350 ML, so I can get the cigarette lighter and tray out. I can do it on my 98 300DT, but the ML looks different.

Thank you,
R. Lefleur (rsl007)