Center console removal

Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:36 pm

Does anyone know how to remove the shifter center console? the handbrake console is very simple so instructions from then on would be great. Thanks everyone

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:06 pm

I think its in the haynes book - do a google search theres a few links to it in elec format.

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:23 pm

Haynes is crap for this. Somewhere on this site there is a blow by blow, photographic demo of how to do this by (if I remember rightly) smithy318, the same guy who did the red wire / black wire explaination. It's exactly what you need

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:26 pm

You'll need a large lump hammer and a very large crow bar!

Its easier than you think

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:37 pm

Do you mean the part that has the window switches and ashtray etc in it?

If so, it's very simple.

You need to take of the rear part of the centre console first.

Then.....

Pull off the geat knob and then remove the gaiter

Prise out the window switches and disconnect them.

Take out the two screws at the front of the front ashtray.

Pull out the front ashtray & cig lighter unit.

Disconnect the cig lighter.

There is a screw inside the void where the ashtray was.

There is a screw at the front of the console on the drivers side, you just turn it half a turn and pull it out.

The whole unit should pull out then (with a bit of jiggling)

Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:47 pm

The above isn't quite right
After removing the gear lever gaitor there is a 10mm plastic nut inside which needs removing.
Unplug and remove the window switches and isolator.
There is no need to remove the ashtray as there is no screw securing the console in there.
Underneath the dash above the ashtray there is a small 8mm headed screw securing a bracket on the console to the dash which needs removing.
Near the pedals is a flat plastic twist lock fixing which as said above just needs turning a quarter of a turn to remove it.
Once the above is done pull the console up and back and unplug the wires going to the ciggy lighter and remove the console.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:02 am

Thanks Spadge, it's never a good idea trying to remember how you did it with a few beers consumed. Things definately become cloudy.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:04 am

Scruffymurphy wrote:Thanks Spadge, it's never a good idea trying to remember how you did it with a few beers consumed. Things definately become cloudy.

No worries mate
Have you owned many Sierra's as they have a fixing under the ashtray

Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:57 am

SPADGE wrote:The above isn't quite right
After removing the gear lever gaitor there is a 10mm plastic nut inside which needs removing.
Unplug and remove the window switches and isolator.
There is no need to remove the ashtray as there is no screw securing the console in there.
Underneath the dash above the ashtray there is a small 8mm headed screw securing a bracket on the console to the dash which needs removing.
Near the pedals is a flat plastic twist lock fixing which as said above just needs turning a quarter of a turn to remove it.
Once the above is done pull the console up and back and unplug the wires going to the ciggy lighter and remove the console.

Also worth remembering, if someones been there before, that the 8mm screw above the ashtray has sometimes been changed to a standard self tapper. It's caught me out before.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:25 am

Cheers guys, you're the best! I just wanted to ask before attempting it as 17 year old plastic tends to break kinda easy! I'll be taking it off to see whether i can find room behind there to install a car alarm unit, if there is enough room it should be the perfect spot to patch into the wiring, fingers crossed!!

Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:24 pm

BillyWiz wrote:Cheers guys, you're the best! I just wanted to ask before attempting it as 17 year old plastic tends to break kinda easy! I'll be taking it off to see whether i can find room behind there to install a car alarm unit, if there is enough room it should be the perfect spot to patch into the wiring, fingers crossed!!

There's plenty of room under there (or rather the heater box) for an alarm, BUT all the wires parch in around the glovebox area.
There should be another 1/4 turn button at the front left extremity of the console as well, but this one is difficult to get at. If its all been apart before, then this one will probably be missing.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 4:40 pm

Perhaps i should start a new thread discussing the best location for an alarm unit. My alarm must tap into the ignition system to immobilize the car, the central locking as this will become remote central locking and possibly the power windows if i can figure out how to make them automatically rise when the car is locked. The reason i chose the center console is because its close to the ignition circuits and i believe, all the central locking and power window circuits are behind the drivers front speaker panel, which is also close to the center console of course. What do you think guys?

Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:23 pm

I know you can get full closure alarms retrofitted - my car caused hot angry basset syndrome by closing the sunroof after I walked away which caused hot angry basset syndrome. I'd rip it out but some tw*t has removed the drivers door lock/key hole...

Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:26 pm

BillyWiz wrote: My alarm must tap into the ignition system to immobilize the car, the central locking as this will become remote central locking and possibly the power windows

The connecting points for all these circuits, except the windows, are provided by BMW in the glovebox area. Below the heater box is an excellant choice of area to fit the alarm, but the connections should be made in the glovebox area.

Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:47 pm

Useful info guys!

Brian, is it a matter of getting the multimeter out or have BMW provided a colour code sheet or something to help tapping into these systems a lil easier?

Morat, when you say you have a full closure system do you mean the windows go up and the sun roof closes when locking the car? Thats what im hoping for myself although my alarm is only for negatively driven electric windows, whatever that means!?!

Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:08 pm

The window closure system was a very rare option on E30s, but there are aftermarket versions available.
I've posted about the alarm/immobiliser connection points on many occasions, so a forum search should bring it up, IF you read how to use the search function first.
The wiring diagrams are here: http://www.autolib.diakom.ru/CARS2/
You don't need to understand Russian! - BMW, third link down, mitchel on demand, follow the drop down boxes.

Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:05 am

Forum searches here are next to useless, im a member of many forums and have a good understanding of good search criteria but cant even find my own posts at times in here lol. Thanks for the help Brian, i had no idea the wiring from so many circuits was located in one area, thats a valuable bit of knowledge.

Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:08 am

ps Thanks for the circuit too, you're right, its easy to follow compared to the haynes manual bxxlocks!

Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:16 am

The zone forum search function works perfectly IF you learn how to use it! I answered a post earlier this evening which had someone complaining about the search function. It took a few seconds for me to find what he was looking for!

Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:26 am

loads of room behind there but dont do what this butcher did to my touring at some point in the past

Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:09 pm

Thanks for the pic tailoutcharlie, its clear from your photo there's more than enough room back there. Yeah, your right about the wiring by the way lol, im hoping for something a little more tidy in my car! Cheers for the input mate;)