luthficom

Hi All.

I have a problem with the wood door cover on the center cup holder/ashtray console.

Usually to close the opened wood cup holder/ashtray cover, I just pushed it gently to the front and it will be automatically slide and closed.

Yesterday suddenly, that wood door cannot be slide automatically when I want to close it! Beside that, the wood door seems very 'lights' to open now and it cannot be sliding back to it's closed position.

I think there is a problem with the wood cover mechanism.

Does anyone got the same problem?
Can anyone help me with this problem? Thanks !

BPhillyBenz

Check for an obstruction or clog underneath it. Could be something very small that inadvertanely got in there.

luthficom

Hi BPhillyBenz, thanks for prompt reply.

I've checked it by using a flashlight and I don't see something stuck in there, even a little particle (except a slight dust ) and I've cleaned it already and it cannot be back to normal. I still have to close it by sliding it manually..

Do I have to bring my car to the dealer? Hmmm guess it so..

golfster

Mine just developed the same issue. I've only opened the cover 10 times or so, but now I need to "help it along" to open or close fully.

I searched the Tech Bulletin stickies section and there is a bulletin for center console not opening or closing fully without assistance, but I am not sure if that is referring to the ashtray cover or storage bin in the way the bulletin is worded.

golfster

LI68.20-P-047911 SEPT09 - lid of the center 212 console does not open by itself, sticks and must be opened by hand the design of the rubber stops can cause the lid to stick contact surface of buffers will e covered with felt and sealing lip lubricated.

BPhillyBenz

Last thought would be to get a can of liquad air from a photo store (or hardware store) and spray undernneath it to dislodge any grime that may be impending the mechanism's action. If not, take it back to the dealer on your next trip...it's covered underneath the warranty.

BPhillyBenz

Way to go 007. Good detective work.

luthficom

Wow, nice info golfster.

Yeah, mine also, I've to pull it manually even to be 'stopped' in the first or the second 'stop point'.

Oh dear..

Eaosdad

Dealer replaced it three weeks ago when they replaced the fade wood trims.

F18BEN

Mine sticks also, usually I have to help it along. Not worth bringing it in for just that. Anyhow my phone charger is always sticking out preventing the closure anyway. I wish they had a plug in the center console.

WGB

My car did this when I picked it up and it was fixed by the dealer the next day.

I do not know what they did but it does require something to be removed cleaned and lubricated. It has been perfect ever since.

Bill

luthficom

Thanks for the informations everyone..

El Cid

Sometimes mine will not close unless I push it a couple of times. Then it does OK.
However, I think it may have to do with fact I may go a month or two without opeining either the cup holder or coin holder (former ashtray).
Not sure I want to have dealer mess with it, much less replace the wood unless it becomes a much worse problem.

imartin

Mine has done the same thing from day one. I take out the cupholder and ashtray, still gets cought on retraction and needs help to close. Agree, not worth messing with as a solo issue and dont want dealer to mess something else up incdently. So, it stays open most of time and is what it is. Sounds like a national problem. Thanks for the TSB Golfster!

K-A

Mine's fine, but I'm already paranoid. Sometimes it'll stop halfway while closing (at that middle border that separates the cup holders from the ashtray), and I just have to give it a little nudge, and it continues to close itself. I actually couldn't tell if that was a design flaw (tendency to get "caught" at the middle), or design feature (allows you to close it halfway, if you don't need to use the ashtray area).

WGB

I think there is supposed to be an indent in the middle position so that it stops with only the cup holders in view.

I have my garage door opener in the ashtray part so I open and close it several times per day.

Lubrication with a silicon spray would be the obvious DIY way to fix it but apparently there is also a tendency to build up crap in the channel which is best cleaned out before lubrication.

Bill

vinrun

Why don't you use the garage door opener that came with the car?

WGB

This is not supplied in Australia.

?Different frequencies used perhaps

Bill

DJ Hellfire

Also having this issue with mine. Bought a can of silicone lubricant and it actually made it worse and now makes a squeaking noise when opening or closing.

RandomGuy

There is a gear/pully mechanism that pulls the doors closed. The cables stretch out and need to be rewound. Easy fix but I suggest taking to a dealer because if you mess it up you gotta buy the whole consol.