How to remove console wood - 91 SL?

[waybomb]

I need to clean my overdrive switch. In order to do that, I need to remove the console. I found a video that shows how to do that, but the video starts with the wood already removed.

Can somebody please tell me how the wood comes off?

[patbianchi]

If it's the center console you need to remove the radio, AC control, sunglass compartment "the inside box" from memory that should do it? Just go slow and keep your eyes opened...no heavy pulling...

[waybomb]

So the radio and heater control holds it in? What about on the horizontal part with the window switches? Seems like something is holding it down and in place.

[tecqboy]

The "wood" flat part is held down by two "hooks" one on each side near the rear. The hooks are molded as part of the entire piece. I've put a video here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/vsrs8i

[waybomb]

Thanks!!!!
I'll give it a try tomorrow.

[Red SL]

This job is a little evolved; the first time out, but it gets easier. You will need two radio removal tools (order on eBay or buy at Best Buy) they are the only special tools you will need. I am providing instruction; you can also search this site for-console removal.

Console removal!

The console only had four screws holding it in.

The press and open door attached to the console has a lining which is designed for removal. Remove the lining and you can see two screws.

Use the special radio (two small tools)removal tool to remove the radio and push out the claimant control from the radio slot.

Once you remove the claimant control, you can see the other two screws.

The claimant control was harder to remove than the radio because of the electronic attachments. (be careful here, but it is easy)

I used a small tip screwdriver to remove the switches attached to the wooden console.

Repeat this process on installation!

[gireaud]

Originally Posted by waybomb

I need to clean my overdrive switch. In order to do that, I need to remove the console. I found a video that shows how to do that, but the video starts with the wood already removed.

Can somebody please tell me how the wood comes off?

hi, why you will clean the overdrive switch for?

[waybomb]

Well, thanks everybody.

I pulled the entire console out and removed the shifter from the car. I popped the cover off and removed the switch.

The switch is closed when in P, R, N, or D. When the shifter is moved to the gate, ie, 4,3,2, the switch opens via a small mechanism.

I carefully disasembled the switch. It was clean, but I took an old points file I had and cleaned the contacts.

While I had the console apart, I cleaned 16 years of spilled coffee and found about 50 cents.

I put it all back together, and overdrive now seems to work as it should. I'll find out tomorrow when I'm on the road for a while.

So, it took me a liesurely 3.5 hours, so, I made about 15 cents an hour.

Again, thanks for the help!

[waybomb]

Oh, one more thing I did. When taking off the shifter, I dropped the little clip attaching the shifter to the armattached to the tranny. It fell on the heat shield, but not to the ground. So I had to jack the car up to get the clip.

While under there, I noticed a screwed on connector near the front of the tranny. I unscrewed it and cleaned both male and female pieces with small files. I am guessing this is the connection to, I assume, the lock-up torque converter. Maybe this connection was corroded and the cause of intermitent overdrive.

I don't know, but it sure worked just fine after I was done.

[waybomb]

Yup, all better now. Thanks again everybody.