Removing underside of dashboard

[somitomi]

Or I'm not entirely sure what to call it, but it's the plastic panel under the steering column and around the fusebox and there's a bit of a story.

Today I decided to install the microphone for my Bluemusic kit in a permanent place under the gauges and while trying to route the cable for it I experimentally tugged on the right side of this panel (between the steering column and the center console) to access the space behind it. That seemed to be the trick so I pulled it away enough to do what I wanted and then realised that it just won't go back the same way it came out. The mistake I made is that I also managed to pull the top left out from under the light switch and that side doesn't really want to go back in. There seems to be multiple obstacles in my way: firstly it has to go under the light switch (which I also couldn't figure out how to remove) and secondly it clips into the darker top panel of the dashboard, which just wants to bend out of the way because there's nothing supporting it that I could push against. Bottom line is, this left side isn't really attached too well right now and the very knowledge of this annoys me.
So I thought of removing this entire thing to better understand this all fits together (and also arrange the wiring I just added), but one of the two bolts holding it in place is behind the kick panel to the left. I have no idea how to remove that and at this point it seems more prudent to ask for advice before I attempt anything else on my own.

 

[FinallyFiona]

I hope you pulled the panel outwards rather than down to get behind it, which is the way to ensure the three clips along the top don't get broken. One is on the right of the steering column, the others to the left either side of the light switch, from memory. If you still have the right one and at least one of the others that'll be enough to hold the panel in place and you can just remove the light switch to relocate the top of the panel.

Removal of the light switch is by pressing the knob inwards and turning it half-way towards the first (sidelights) position. This retracts the internal hooks and the whole unit should then just pull straight out. Refitting is equally simple, just put it back in place and turn the knob back to the Off position.

If you've broken too many of the clips, you'll probably need a replacement panel. Be sure to clear the broken stubs out of the holes they go into.

I know how the RHD passenger's kick-panel comes out, which is basically like a scissor door (think of a Lamborghini Countach), starting from underneath the join in the trims in the middle of the driver's door opening. But in an LHD car you've got the driver's footrest there as well, and not many of us have seen what (if anything) holds that in. @timmus might know, hopefully he'll see this tag and respond.

You've probably got to get the driver's mat and carpet on that side out in any case, but that's really easy and I'm sure you'll be familiar with that already.

 

[Chris Warren]

I have had all this out on my 1.2 tdi. The kick panel has to be pulled up sharply near the join with the rear one. Remove the floor mat and also try and pull the carpet panel up along where it tucks under the kick panel. Just a case of wiggling it free then. Make sure the clips have stayed attached to the plastic rather than stayed in the slot on the sill.

 

[somitomi]

Looks like one of the left-hand side clips has broken off (I might've done that) and the other couldn't locate properly with the headlight switch in the way. I pulled that out (thanks for the explanation, @FinallyFiona , never would've figured that out on my own) and managed to finagle that one clip into place properly, so that's good enough for the time being. I might take another swing at it later when it's not so rainy outside or an intact replacement shows up somewhere, this one also seems to be broken at the bottom left corner near the opening for the fusebox.