Centre console removal

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alexjfinch

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Hi all,

I'm looking to replace my handbrake switch as the little metal lip has come away and started to cut my finger!

I have the switch, but I have no idea how to remove the centre console piece. I've seen the YouTube vid and simply refuse to ram a piece of plastic either side until it pops up.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove it without damaging the edge of the plastic trim?

Many thanks
Alex
 
That IS the proper way to remove it as per in ElsaWin.. But shouldn't be just any plastic, should be trim removal tool...
 
You need to insert your trim removal tool parallel to where the MMI selection buttons are. Its pretty simple and will cause no damage as long as you do not force it.
 
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Really? Looked pretty violent to me on the youtube vid - I was concerned the tool would damage the console piece.

Does anyone have a link to the right tool? Thanks.
 
Ah fine, thanks for that. I just wondered if there was a specific tool to get.

I'll order a kit of ebay.

Thanks chaps.
 
I removed my console just today to change my stop start button.
Using two trim removal tools on either side. Mine didn't pop right up and off, once there is a nice gap at the rear of the console just use your fingers and pull up. The whole thing hinges up from the cigarette lighter.
2 minutes to get the console up.
 
Boom thanks for that.

I saw a vid and it looked brutal and I was afraid the tool pushing against the plastic trim would mark it in some way. By the looks of the tools I've just bought the narrow one looks thin enough not to cause any damage.

Hopefully no more cut fingers after tomorrow!
 
alexjfinch said:
Boom thanks for that.

I saw a vid and it looked brutal and I was afraid the tool pushing against the plastic trim would mark it in some way. By the looks of the tools I've just bought the narrow one looks thin enough not to cause any damage.

Hopefully no more cut fingers after tomorrow!
Click to expand...
Have you got a link to the video please? I would like to see how far 'back' it removes the trim up to for a mini-project I'm thinking of

Thanks!
 
This is the removable part:

1
 
I guess the s-tronic gear surround just unclips from above?
 
azibux1 said:
I guess the s-tronic gear surround just unclips from above?
Click to expand...
Just a sharp tug on the S-tronic leather gaiter boot and it pops out, no need to use any tools.
 
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Out of interest, how did you damage the switch?? I rarely touch mine!

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
 
Don76 said:
Out of interest, how did you damage the switch?? I rarely touch mine!

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I use mine everytime I get out and in

Do you not apply the EPB?
 
It releases automatically when you pull away and applies automatically when you stop....

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
 
Mine doesn't apply when I stop?
Don76 said:
It releases automatically when you pull away and applies automatically when you stop....

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
azibux1 said:
Mine doesn't apply when I stop?
Click to expand...

Is yours a PFL? I'm sure my sister in laws (PFL) doesn't apply automatically as my brother found out. He has a MK3 TTS which does, so may have been an addition on later models.
 
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Tom.H said:
Is yours a PFL? I'm sure my sister in laws (PFL) doesn't apply automatically as my brother found out. He has a MK3 TTS which does, so may have been an addition on later models.
Click to expand...
Yeah 2016 PFL

I kind of wish it would auto-apply when you shut the car off as that would be cool.
 
My facelift doesn't apply when stopped/shut off either.

Probably part of HHA for those who have it automatically coming on.
 
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Mine is a 2014 PFL and the EPB is applied automatically if I switch off the car or eject the seat belt. I do have HHA though so maybe that's why?

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
 
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Mine comes on automatically when I stop but I think that is because the hill hold assist is activated.
 
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I have PFL without hill hold assist. It will only apply sometimes when I put it into park, I still couldn't figure out what exactly triggers it to apply, but my assumption is that if I put it in park, switch off engine and then open the door within couple seconds, the EPD will automatically applies. Any longer it will be ignored. Either way, I'm pretty sure it can be tweaked with VCDS/OBD11 etc.
 
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Not sure what happened, the small line of metal has split and it now cutting my finger. It was like it when I bought it.

Does anyone know how to remove the switch? I've got the centre console out but struggling with the switch
 
Any luck with this pal?

I have the same problem, just wondering how you got on...

Thanks
Nath
 
N88 RBN said:
Any luck with this pal?

I have the same problem, just wondering how you got on...

Thanks
Nath
Click to expand...

Hi bud,

Yes I did manage to get this out - you need a flat narrow tool from the kits linked above, and as you slide it between the gap you'll notice there is a slot where the MMI buttons are and then you need to slide the tool further in and when it stops lift the back of the tool slightly and push forward again.

It literally takes NO effort to push it in.

Changing the switch was a different matter - I ended up breaking that silver shroud around the gear stick and MMI buttons, but it was £22 from Audi for a new one.

Hope you get there mate!
 
Mine doesn't come on automatically when the car is stopped, but my dad's Golf does. I feel like it should be a setting in the MMI system to enable it but I haven't bothered checking!
 
SevenW said:
I removed my console just today to change my stop start button.
Using two trim removal tools on either side. Mine didn't pop right up and off, once there is a nice gap at the rear of the console just use your fingers and pull up. The whole thing hinges up from the cigarette lighter.
2 minutes to get the console up.
Click to expand...
I was wondering if there is a way to take the interior off just behind the centre console to get the phone out
 
Zahir hussain said:
Do you have take the centre console out to take the phone box container out thanks
Click to expand...
You have to take the entire centre console out to remove the storage container below the arm rest. There are 4 bolts under the MMI controller and 4 behind the rear vent in the back of the car which pops out with a trim removal tool.
 
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Thank you very much! Much appreciated
sparkymark75 said:
You have to take the entire centre console out to remove the storage container below the arm rest. There are 4 bolts under the MMI controller and 4 behind the rear vent in the back of the car which pops out with a trim removal tool.
Click to expand...
 
alexjfinch said:
Hi bud,

Yes I did manage to get this out - you need a flat narrow tool from the kits linked above, and as you slide it between the gap you'll notice there is a slot where the MMI buttons are and then you need to slide the tool further in and when it stops lift the back of the tool slightly and push forward again.

It literally takes NO effort to push it in.

Changing the switch was a different matter - I ended up breaking that silver shroud around the gear stick and MMI buttons, but it was £22 from Audi for a new one.

Hope you get there mate!
Click to expand...
Im at the same carry on now. Im trying to get a new cover that doesnt have the hole for the stop start button as I dont need it anymore. I have broken the metal surround which goes around the gear shift and down around the mmi controls. If you bought the same would you have the part number?
Much appreciated if you can help. Thanks.
 
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