dashboard cup holder stuck "in"
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dashboard cup holder stuck "in"
The dash-mounted pop-out cupholder on my Expy is stuck. Normally, you push in on it, and a spring pops the cupholder out. But apparently the spring has broken or fallen out. I can pry the cupholder out to its extended position, but it is not obvious as to how to remove it completely, to get access to where the spring is (or used to be).
Is there a trick to releasing the cupholder from its slides? I have looked for the normal release levers or catches, as on a drawer, but nothing jumps out at me. Plus, the ends of the slides seem to be riveted to the cupholder. Anyone have any experience with this? It has to be something simple, so it must be just me!
rschleicher
2000 Expy Eddie Bauer 4WD
Is there a trick to releasing the cupholder from its slides? I have looked for the normal release levers or catches, as on a drawer, but nothing jumps out at me. Plus, the ends of the slides seem to be riveted to the cupholder. Anyone have any experience with this? It has to be something simple, so it must be just me!
rschleicher
2000 Expy Eddie Bauer 4WD
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Ok, here is the scoop. You dont need to screw with the bracket assembly at all to remove the sliding tray. Just reach in behind the sliding tray from underneath with your right hand while seated in the driver seat. With the tray nearly fully pulled forward but not locked into place, reach in and you will find two plastic tabs that serve as stops one on each side. Pull each tab down and pull the drawer toward you as you do each side to allow the tray to slide past them. You should do the driver side one first then the passenger side. Once you have pulled the tray past the stop tabs the tray will come completely out. There will be an electrical pigtail connector to disconnect for the lighter. And thats all it takes. Then when you are ready to put it back in, just align to the sliders and shove it all the way in. The spring is heat staked to the back of the tray.
Last edited by HomerWinzlow; Jul 14, 2004 at 07:30 PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: All over Texas
John, you're a genius!
Someone, I presume at the car wash, mashed my cupholder in a few months ago. When I finally dislodged it the spring came flying out. I got the cupholder "flush" with the rest of the dash, but it rattled a bit and kind of floated in and out (since there was no spring to add tension). I never really thought about fixing it because I thought the dash had to be disassembled.
It took me longer to find a way to hold the flashlight and remove the light bulb at 12:30 a.m. than anything else. Once I got the assembly out, I drilled a couple holes, installed the spring and screwed in two small sheet metal screws to hold the spring in place (the plastic rivets were completely sheared off), reinstalled the light bulb and shoved it back into the dash. All told, it took about 10 minutes and works like new.
Thanks again.
Someone, I presume at the car wash, mashed my cupholder in a few months ago. When I finally dislodged it the spring came flying out. I got the cupholder "flush" with the rest of the dash, but it rattled a bit and kind of floated in and out (since there was no spring to add tension). I never really thought about fixing it because I thought the dash had to be disassembled.
It took me longer to find a way to hold the flashlight and remove the light bulb at 12:30 a.m. than anything else. Once I got the assembly out, I drilled a couple holes, installed the spring and screwed in two small sheet metal screws to hold the spring in place (the plastic rivets were completely sheared off), reinstalled the light bulb and shoved it back into the dash. All told, it took about 10 minutes and works like new.
Thanks again.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 211
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From: Stafford, VA
THANK YOU.... I gave up on using mine.... Not for the Drink Holding.. (there are many other places) But for when that Cop is right behind you and you simply must hold that cigarette in your hand until it burns your fingers!!!!
Haven't been able to Off-Road either as in the Woods I WILL NOT throw a Butt out the window
Haven't been able to Off-Road either as in the Woods I WILL NOT throw a Butt out the window
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Chippewa Falls, WI
Originally Posted by ExpyBoy
Haven't been able to Off-Road either as in the Woods I WILL NOT throw a Butt out the window
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 211
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From: Stafford, VA
I always make sure there is not a bike behind me... The problem is my Ashtray is being held hostage!!!!!!!!!
I used to ride a bike and know how it feels to have hot sparks hit you in the face....
I used to ride a bike and know how it feels to have hot sparks hit you in the face....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Jim, glad you got it figured out and working good. I had to figure that out some years back when we had a rash of broken ones and the other techs in the shop would order whole new assemblies and then send it to me to replace them. Ill be darned if I was going to do a complete tear down just for a broken spring so I learned to just replace the tray section and everyone was happy. 
I had forgotten the procedure so just before I posted I went out and took mine out of my Expy just to give a good detail on the procedure. LOL
Hope everyone gets theirs fixed up now.
I had forgotten the procedure so just before I posted I went out and took mine out of my Expy just to give a good detail on the procedure. LOL
Hope everyone gets theirs fixed up now.
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