I've finally decided to re-vamp the whole stereo system in my car. I figure I spend so much time in there that I should listen to something nice. I want to re-wire everything and add a subwoofer under one of the seats (although I don't know what fits down there) but I don't know how to lift up the center console that has the shifter, window buttons, mirror joy stick, and emergency flasher lights. Also, how do I remove the shift knob? I think I might want to install a wood one while I'm at it. Thanks for giving me all this basic info. I really appreciate it.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Start by removing the ash-tray. Below that, there are 2 screws which hold down the ash-tray bracket. Remove those. You don't have to remove the bracket, just lift it a little bit. It helps clamp down the front of the console. You can pry the rubber piece away from the shift lever, slide the wooden console toward the back of the car, then you can lift it up(There's a little pin glued to the underside of the wood that will break off if you lift the console straight up rather than sliding it back). The window switches can be disconnected from the wiring underneath the console or you can pry them upward and disconnect them before loosening the console. Can't help you with the shift knob, but I'd guess there's a set screw on it somewhere.

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Dave
1995 C280
1999 Triumph Daytona 955I - my speed fix.
1982 300TD - Gone, but not forgotten.

Don't I need to remove the shift knob to lift up that console?

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

On my W123 the shift lever, the shift gate the lever is moved through, and the letters showing the gear the lever has been placed in are mounted to the top of the auto. trans. The center console has a rubber gasket that goes around the shift related components that seals this area, but it is not actually attached. Perhaps your console is similar. The shifter knob should be screwed on and there may be a lock nut - this should be a separate operation to removal from removing the center console.

Hope this helps.

Tom

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America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.

Alex,

Go to audio forum and search about sterio replacement in 300D's. Many tips there re size of speakers and installation tricks.

On the subwoofer, I have a Subaru subwoofer under my passenger seat. It is small but much better low end sound than you will be able to get from speakers that fit in the existing enclosures. Cost about 200 - search on the web for best deal. I think Blaupunkt also has a "low profile" sub. Not many will fit that space.

A pro can install it for about $30. Wiring has to be modified a bit.

Nic
'85 300CD

Where did you buy your subaru unit? Was it already in some sort of enclosure? Thanks a lot

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Alex,

I got it from a dealer in Fla via the net. I'll look him up and let you know monday. Yes, it is in a very nifty enclosure and is "powered". about 8" x 10" x 2 1/2 " in size. High quality little thing.

Check the Blaupunkt website for their model.

Nic

I took a look at the Blaupunkt website and the lowest profile sub they have is about 5" in mounting depth. I think that's a little too large for what I need. Also, I'm a little too lazy to deal with buying an amp and finding a custom enclosure box so I think I would like to buy that subaru unit you have. If you could maybe give me a part number or a description of what car the sub is for, that would be absolutely super. Thanks so much!

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Alex,

Does your 300d has two trays in the back like my 300sd?
If so, buy a pair of 3-way yamaha bookshelf speakers($89+tax), cut the top layer off with a circular saw(remove all speakers, crossover and wires, also mark the wiring before you do that). remove those two trays in the back and secure them on top. If you have a stereo with 45 watt/ch you will have a great system. I posted a similar thread in audio dicussion how to do it, you can check on that.

mine has 8" woofer, 4" midrange and a 2" tweeter. the speaker cover look nice too!

BJ

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BJ

09 GL320 Bluetec 65K+
07 E320 Bluetec 43k+
05 Nissan Frontier NISMO 4X4 72K+


07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 5k+ gone
87 300SDL 158k+ gone
91 300D 113k+ gone
83 300SD 220K+ gone
89 300E sold
87 190E sold
83 380SEL sold
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...TX/Houston.gif

How do I remove the ash tray? Thanks

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

My ashtray pulls straight out.
--Craig

Does this work the same on 126's?

The passenger rear window hasn't worked from console or door switch since new...should I buy a new switch right off the bat, or try some electric contact cleaner first?

It's the only thing that doesn't work on my SD!

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83 SD 143 K miles
93 Grand Caravan 130K miles
92 Buick Regal (winter car)

Alex, There's a little metal tab in the top center of the ashtray, visible when the ashtray is open. Press it down (into the ashtray) and pull the ashtray out. Of course, by the time you read this you'll be long past this step

GR_Lou, I have successfully disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled all the window switches in the console of my 123. Re-assembly takes some patience and practice, though...!

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

Bill,
I never have any problem with my sd and sel window regulators. It happened once on my 190e right rear.

On my sd driver side the welded part of the lifter arm came apart once and the window wouldn't go up.

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BJ

09 GL320 Bluetec 65K+
07 E320 Bluetec 43k+
05 Nissan Frontier NISMO 4X4 72K+


07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 5k+ gone
87 300SDL 158k+ gone
91 300D 113k+ gone
83 300SD 220K+ gone
89 300E sold
87 190E sold
83 380SEL sold
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...TX/Houston.gif

Bill

The right rear passenger window on my SD had problems when I bought it. It sounded like it was jumping teeth in the crank, and that was exactly what was happening. The main part of the casting that the crank arm and motor bolt to was bent and threw the crank out of alignment at certain points. The PO also did some rigging on the white plastic that slides in the track in the bottom of the window. I went to the junk yard and found a 126 and bought the crank assembly without the motor (planned on using mine). I put my motor on it and it did the same thing, but for a different reason. Looking closer, I see that the two crank assemblies are not the same and my motor is not engaging like it should. I went back to the junk yard and took a closer look at the car. The emblems had bee removed from the trunk and no way of telling what the car really was but the door definitely was longer, so it was a SEL. So I got the motor, took it home and compared the two drive gears. The SEL gear was slightly larger than mine. I installed the complete SEL crank assembly in my car, and it seems to work just fine. BTW the crank assembly from the junk SEL had a broken white slide thingie too. When I went to the dealer to get a new white thingie, I started to explain what I needed and the parts guy cut me off and laughed and said he knew exactly what I needed, it is a very popular item. He also told me how to install it correctly.

Ernie