Removal of Oddments Tray

mjs4x4

mjs4x4

A2OC Donor
I need to remove the oddments tray to get access to a defective flasher relay. I have read the thread on this which says to put hands inside the tray / push apart / pull back at the same time.

Well neither I nor my mechanic friend can get it to budge with any any amount of pulling / pressing (and yes we have the ashtray in the out position).

Can someone tell me where the 2 fixing 'clips' are located - are they on the SIDE of the oddments tray? An explanation of the type of clip might help - just so we understand what we are trying to release and how??

There are some pictures on the other thread but - good as they are - they don't show the clip on the tray.


Mike
 
There are actually 4 clips, 2 on top and 2 underneath the tray.

If you try to prise the tray out from the front, you will mark the finish. Trust me, the only methods that work are to do the hands inside method, but give really violent, sharp tugs. The other method is to take the radio out, which gives you access to the back of the climate panel, which again, just pulls out - pushing from the rear is the best method here.

Once that is out, push out the oddments tray out from the back. Once you've had things out for the first time, it gets easier each time.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Mike,

Trust me - the bl**dy thing won't budge with any amount of force applied. It's becoming a little critical now as the indicators have given up completely.

I don't suppose you have a picture of the top or bottom of the tray so I can understand where the clips are located - might be able to slide in a couple of thin metal strips or something to release the tension on them?

I suppose there is always the possibility the previous owner super-glued it!!! I hope not.



Mike
 
I think if you take out the ashtray you should be able to feel where the ones underneath are. As I recall it doesn't have a "way up" so the ones on top should be in a corresponding position.

Hope that helps.
 
I took a look at the compartment, and what I said earlier was pretty much complete cr*p. The compartment won't go in upside down, and its clips are on the side (at least in mine). I took it out to check - and it does take a bit of effort (car rocks from side to side when I do it).

I uploaded a picture for you - see gallery.

Cheers (and sorry)

Dev
 
Oh, and make sure you have the ashtray open or removed - there's a flap at the bottom of the storage compartment that will probably break off if you don't.
 
Dev,

Many thanks for that - at least I can see what I am trying to free off now.

Those clips are certainly at the side - not top and bottom as I was starting to think!!

Tomorrow is another day - I will try again!!

Yes I have read the 'ashtray open' point before.


Mike
 
Whoops, looks like I've given you a bum steer there!

There are 2 clips at the sides, yes. I was getting confused with the climate panel, which has 4 clips, 2 on top and 2 underneath.

The principals I said before though hold true for its removal.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Mike - you're allowed the odd mistake every now and then.

Thanks to Dev's picture we got it out - though mine was wedged in so tight that we had to unclip the fascia from the tray and depress the two clips with a screwdriver. Will apply some vaseline when the tray goes back in!

As an aside - why do VW Group cars have such crap flasher relays these days? I have now had to replace 3 inside 12 months - 2 Skoda Octavia and 1 Audi A2 - both the same basic unit?

Produced to a price rather than a quality standard!


Mike
 
I could never get mine out either so its not just you. Maybe I'll try again today if I can muster enough strength. Sometimes I wish I'd bought an Alfa Romeo then maybe it would just fall out by itself.
 
Just realised that the dash looks better without it than with it, I'm going to throw it away and do something with what's left
 
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