Shift Microswitch Replacement
From Bay 13
To start with you will need
the following parts: Shift microswitch, solder, shrink tubing, electrical
tape, any bulbs you might want to replace while you are in the center console.
The tools needed are: ¼ inch drive ratchet, 6 inch extension, 8mm socket,
25 torx, 15 torx, small telescoping magnet to pick up dropped items. (Hey,
it happens) Needle nose pliers.
To start, lift the arm rest and remove the
small cover (shown off), inside is the hand brake adjustment,(left of the
arrow), two 8mm or 25 torx screws must be removed. (You will have one or the
other) Now move forward on the center console.
The blue arrow shows where a plastic cover use to be, it is removed by grabbing the back and lifting up. The yellow arrows show the cigar lighter out and the OBD II cover off. (The cover is used for change a lot). Notice the shifter is in "D", this is a good position be in when finally lifting the center console up and out, and the hand brake is also up. Below is a close up shot of the OBD II connector and cigar lighter. Note the two green arrows pointing to two 25 torx screw that have to come out. After the screws are loose the magnet can help to get them out. The purple arrow shows the direction the connector has to be pushed once you lift the tray up and (pull) back, make sure you have lifted high enough to clear the back of the cigar lighter. (Wiggle it back and forth, the right side tends to want to stick.) The yellow circle is where the connector clips on.
Below shows the bottom of the tray lifted up and free except for the wires. Slide the OBD II connector to the left and down, disconnect the cigar lighter connectors. You can't see it in the picture but in back of the cigar lighter connectors is a light socket that is up in a silver like holder, pull the bulb/socket down to get it out. Now you are ready to move the tray out of the way.
Below is what you have after
getting the front tray out of the way. The yellow connector top right of the
picture is an accessories connector. The yellow arrows are 15 torx screws
that have to come out. The Black and Gray connectors in the yellow boxes need
to be up-plugged, just pull back. I usually disconnect them prior to unscrewing
the 15 torx.
Notice the wires for the OBD connector and
the cigar lighter and bulb are fed over the top of the beige brace that is
held down with the 15 torx, I mention this because when going back in it is
easy to forget and they will be pinched under the brace and be to short to
get where the belong. (On the bottom of the tray)
