remove trap door

[Denno]

I need to know how the hell i take out the little trap door thing where the cigarette lighter usually goes. I have a VX Lumina, without the cigarette lighter, and I was trying to take my dash thing out so I can paint it like lots of other people have, but I can't get the bottom part out. It seems to be fixed in around where that trap door is. I don't know if I should just pull it harder, or whether there is another screw to take out. I know there are so many threads already on how to paint the dash and remoe it and all that, but now that I want to know this, I can't seem to find them. The one that I did find didn't say anything about screws under or near the trap door, so all I gathered from that was I just need to pull it out and it would unclip, but I don't want to do this incase I break something. This is extremely frustrating, and I reckon I have restrained myself very well from craking the ****s lol.

Anyways, if someone could help me out I would really appreciate it .

Cheers

[accentstencil]

There 2 screws, one either side of the cigarette lighter socket, remove those and then lift the consul cover from the rear (the end with the coinbox or window switches, whichever you have). It is clipped in so will need a bit of force. Once that is removed, there are another 2 or 3 screws that hold the storage compartment in place.

[Denno]

So there are only the two screws either side of the power connection? I have already got them, and I unclipped it from around the power window switches, but its towards the top of that piece where it's really firm, and almost seem's like it is screwed in there. I guess i'll just have to pull harder on it then

[accentstencil]

Originally Posted by b1b2b3

So there are only the two screws either side of the power connection? I have already got them, and I unclipped it from around the power window switches, but its towards the top of that piece where it's really firm, and almost seem's like it is screwed in there. I guess i'll just have to pull harder on it then

If you have the power window switch you might need to remove that first because it stops the rear of the cover from lifting up fully. The switch clips in and needs to be prised out carefully.

[Denno]

Yeah I know about the power window switch plug needing to be removed from underneath he actual switches, that comes up nicely. It's just the front part thats really stiff. I will go and have a try now, finger's crossed I don't break anything...

[MK II the VT]

If your still having troubles try this link. It's for changing the button on the gear stick, but it has all the info u need.

[Denno]

Thanks for trying MKII, but that tutorial says that all I need to do is unscrew those 2 screws, unplug the power window switch, and then it all magically come's apart. Doesn't really tell me where to apply force to pull the thing out, or anything really.

Thanks anyway.

[MK II the VT]

Just gentle lift it from the end (nearest to back of car) so u can get ur fingers under the plastic. Grab hold firmly from either side of the recessed pocket and lift. There is only two clip located below that pocket. So once there out, u can remove the rest. It's highly unlikely that u will break any of the plastic, as it is quite flexible.

[Denno]

From the responses, I think you're mis-understanding what I'm trying to say. And it's pretty much all my fault cuz I called it a trap door haha. Anyways, I am talking about the pocket/door that is located just under where the cd player goes. Some cars have a cigarette lighter in there, others don't. Mine doesn't, I just have this little dor thing that when I press, it rolls down, and then I push it back up and click it in. This is the area that is causing me all the problems. Sorry for wording it confusingly.

[vicarious]

its easy i have done it numerous times on my dads vx lumina, put your gear stick back(handbrake on of course), get a small flat blade screwdriver and put it in the tab that inside the compartment(RH side), then i think you have to pull the hinge pin on the left hand side of the closing lid so it is not locked in then with the flat screwdriver push the tab in and slide the flap out and replace the small locking clip ithink by memory this part was about $12 from holdens

[Denno]

I finally got it out. And the problem area wasn't up the front like I originally thought.

As the power window switches are around 5 cm deep, I wasn't getting them clear at the back, so therefore I couldn't pull the pieace backwards to get it out. So as it turns out, the advice I was given above is exactly right haha. It just took a lil bit of tough love to get it clear, then putting the car into gear, so that the gearstick was out of the way, then it came out very nicely .

Thanks for the help everyone!