Roof Console Removal to access power source

[mattbar1]

Has anyone successfully removed the roof console (with sunglass holder, lights and sunroof controls)?

I am trying to access power from the lights for a radar detector.

The Interior pdf file has some basic instructions but they dont seem to work for me.

I have been prying and pulling and pressing on clips and still it wont come out.

Any ideas?


Thanks to all for reading and any assistance.

[tobmaster]

I pulled mine off to install an auto dim mirror w/compass and homelink. As I recall, the end closest to you just pulls down, the front (closest to the windshield then is removed by pulling down and pushing away from you a bit...I may be off but it was a while ago. Search the other threads here, find the one for the mirrors/homelink. I remember someone posted the directions....OR, search and find the camry service manual. I used that many times already. I am not home, but if you have no luck, let me know, I can look when I return home Thurs night.
Toby

[njerald]

I tried a wide putty knife in the front edge with no success.

I had to pry on the front edge and from the drivers side corner to finally get it to pop loose.

It's attached very tightly!!!!!!!

[mattbar1]

Tobmaster,

I have looked in the manual. Not much help. I have tried prying the windshield side and I cant get it to budge.

Are you saying I should try the aft side?

[YotaRunner4]

I used a rigid spatula from the kitchen and pried it between the plastic and the headliner toward the front of the windshield. I pried it just enough to all my fingertips to get a grip on the console and pulled down. It did take some force, but it will come down.

[mattbar1]

Thanks everyone who responded.


1) I used a spatula
2) I had to get my fingers in there and pull really really hard
3) Power was available, not from the connections on the console, but further up there is another connection with ignition power (yellow) and ground (white w/black)


Everything is back together and working well, best source for power for anything above the windshield.

Matthew

[JSM1284]

Just a word of warning, I know this is GM related, However you never know what you could run into even on the Camry. This came across my E-Mail this morning.

Guys,

I wanted to share with you a TSB that I was just made aware of that is related to vehicle that have a continuous dead battery issue or continuous BCM failures. The TSB number is 06-06-03-009 dated 10-19-06. The application is for 19 different vehicles, but for our business it effects the Impala, Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Cadillac Escalades, Avalanche, Equinox, Tahoe, Silverado, and Suburban.

The deal is that the courtesy light circuit in these vehicles have an "orange" wire that is located near the rear view mirror that many people are using to tap into with aftermarket accessories. When this happens the BCM has a built in timer related to the cycling of the interior lights that can be effected. The system is set up to pull only a minimum milliamp when the vehicle is turned off, but the timer will activate the circuit causing a 4.1 amp draw. The system cycles from 4.1 amp to milliamps for 1-2 seconds and the back to full 4.1 amp.

The result is that the batteries go dead, and the continuous cycling of the circuit can lead to premature failure of the BCM.

The fix is to remove the aftermarket from that circuit completely.

I have had several BCM issues with the Impala, and in fact I found this TSB due to the driver admitting he had the radar detector attached to this circuit. The battery failed three times before being replaced. The BCM was replaced twice. Then since removing the radar from the circuit the unit has gone three months and 8,000 miles with no difficulty.

[dmann99]

I pulled the roof console from my 2002 last night so I could wire my radar detector to my mirror.

After I got it out i realized the easiest way to remove it is to:
Curl your fingers up under the edge closest to the windshield.
Then towards the rear of the car and down.

The console had 3 large prongs near the sunroof controls (the side closest to the rear of the car). There were only 2 small nubs on the side with the sunglass holder (the side closest to the windshield).


-- Dave