How to remove the center console if you need to clean up after a spill in the center locker

[OpticalBoffin]

I recently found that removing the center console is not as difficult as it might seem if you need to clean up after spilling liquid in the center locker. There are just four bolts that need to be undone and three electrical connectors underneath the center console that have to be unplugged to remove it. Two of the four bolts are easy to find as they are under the removable floor of the center locker. These two bolts are not sealed into the locker base and I wish they were as it would stop any liquid spilt in here draining under the center console. The second pair of bolts are on either side of the center console about 1ft back from the front end but although these bolts are easy to undo they are under a 3ft long plastic trim strip that covers the bottom edge of the center console, one on each side. Warning: Removing these two trim strips without damaging the clips that hold them in place is the only difficult part of the job and I did break one clip doing this but there are lots so fortunately with just one broken the panel is still firmly fixed in place. These panels are held in place by clips that pull off the frame of the center console and they require a very hefty pull/leverage to detach them. It is ESSENTIAL that you start by prizing off the back end of these panels first to pop the trim panel clips from the center console frame, DO NOT start at the front. The reason you have to start at the back is because the clip on the very front of these trim panels is NOT a push-on/pull-off type, instead it slides off. You will need to work your way from the back to the front popping the clips from the frame until you get to the very front one which you detach from the console frame by sliding the whole trim forwards. With the trims removed you can easily remove the two forward bolts. You then pull the center console backwards and lift the back of the center console up. You can then reach underneath and detach the three electrical connectors to release the console which can then be removed.