there are 2 auxiliary trays under the 3 knobs that regulate heat direction, fan speed, and temperature. They have springs to keep them closed when car accelerates. How to fix a broken (or fallen off) spring on these trays ?
Generally, how to remove these trays ?
If your Corolla is like mine, the bottom auxiliary tray started popping open when I would accelerate. I too thought it was the spring, but upon further inspection found that the tray tab (where the spring hooks through a little hole) was broken away from the tray. It's located on the bottom right hand side of the tray. I even bought a bag full of springs to see if one would work, but no go. I'm going to go to an auto salvage yard and pick one up from a damaged Corolla. For now, I just stuff a small piece of cardboard in between the console and the tray. Not professional, but a lot less irritating than having the door always pop open. Maybe there's some supplier out there that sells the replacement tray c/w spring?
Last edited by toyman2005; 03-31-2011 at 12:19 PM.
Reason: Forgot some stuff, again!
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toyman2005;3523039]If your Corolla is like mine, the bottom auxiliary tray started popping open when I would accelerate. I too thought it was the spring, but upon further inspection found that the tray tab (where the spring hooks through a little hole) was broken away from the tray.
The second door up has the springs, bottom door is just a gravity pull down like your change drawer on the left at least it is on my S model... Same happened to mine, 9 out of 10 times it will be the tab is broken on the main cover that holds the other end of the spring, sad part is if it's broken it's part of the main plastic center cover and you have to replace the whole thing .....I found my broken piece but also found it impossible to hold any glue fix, I used a thin rubber band through the spring hole on the door(had to widen it) then wrapped it around the back of the tray, it worked ok only the suns heat kept destroying the rubber band over time..Anyone have a good fix for this other then buying a whole new dealer piece $$$
The second door up has the springs, bottom door is just a gravity pull down like your change drawer on the left at least it is on my S model... Same happened to mine, 9 out of 10 times it will be the tab is broken on the main cover that holds the other end of the spring, sad part is if it's broken it's part of the main plastic center cover and you have to replace the whole thing .....I found my broken piece but also found it impossible to hold any glue fix, I used a thin rubber band through the spring hole on the door(had to widen it) then wrapped it around the back of the tray, it worked ok only the suns heat kept destroying the rubber band over time..Anyone have a good fix for this other then buying a whole new dealer piece $$$
You can get it from a junk yard. But your answer confused me. You said that the tray at the bottom does not have a spring, that it is a gravity tray. How to make it to not open up on accelarations and do not close up on decelerations then ? What is supposed to keep it in place ?
You can get it from a junk yard. But your answer confused me. You said that the tray at the bottom does not have a spring, that it is a gravity tray. How to make it to not open up on acceleration and do not close up on decelerations then ? What is supposed to keep it in place ?
First the second up is not a tray it's just an door opening into a compartment that springs in tabs on both sides help it shut tight,those tabs are what break 99% of the time! The bottom is a tray, all one piece(check his video and my picture) like your money tray on the left of your steering wheel under dash if you have one my S does, you manually pull the tray open and push it back to stay shut, there's no springs to keep it shut like the door above it's just all one piece. I just checked mine, it's a tight fit closing and just before it closes it snaps into place to keep it shut, if yours is popping open on acceleration then the sides on the tray must be worn or worn/broken where it snaps shut! My coin tray on the left snaps closed the same way with no springs, I can actually push the sides in and pull it completely out like my glove compartment door when I replace my cabin air filter! Your first job is to pull the whole panel out like shown in his video and see what the real cause is...Good luck!
A 9th generation is a rarity to find at a local boneyard
Last edited by Raddman04; 04-01-2011 at 02:03 PM.
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Luckily where I live there's no shortage of 9th generation cars in the boneyards. People here couldn't drive a wheelbarrow which means plenty of parts (aft of the front end of course). I fear you may be correct that the problem may require the whole center console piece, which won't be fun to change. Maybe if a person stuck some kind of thick but compressable foam on each side of the compartment door, it might hold it shut? Just a guess............
I fear you may be correct that the problem may require the whole center console piece, which won't be fun to change.
It's simple, just follow the videos instructions, make sure you put a towel or something over the shifter console when you remove the first panel cause if you drop any screws or little parts in there it's almost impossible to find them
Mrs Fuelish busted the left hinge on the upper compartment door.... I just did a quick and dirty fix of a few cut down/shaved/narrow strips of velcro at the top and sides of the door to hold it in place, and a larger strip on the bottom to hold it in place in lieu of the missing hinge....works just fine, as I rarely use those compartments anyway. You could do the same to hold the lower tray closed...... the velcro is a little thick - won't close flush - but if you take some small sharp scissors and trim both pieces of velcro (shave 'em down), it'll fit pretty dang flush, and it won't take much to keep it closed, really. Just a thought from this cheapskate
Thanks very much guys for the useful tips. To invader: where the heck did you get those small magnets? I really like the idea and effectiveness of using those instead of getting or fabricating a new part (plus it's quick). Remains hidden and does the job! Do tell......Thanks!
Thanks very much guys for the useful tips. To invader: where the heck did you get those small magnets? I really like the idea and effectiveness of using those instead of getting or fabricating a new part (plus it's quick). Remains hidden and does the job! Do tell......Thanks!
I don't know where deja_vu1344 from 9th gen Corolla forum got his magnets. That was his last of 4 posts, back in early December 2009... I'll be fixing mine for the 1st time soon, somehow. I'll see how I decide to do it.
You can get small magnets at hobby/craft shops, or:
Thanks for the reply invader! I'll check around and see what will work the best. Maybe someone like Princess Auto has an assortment of magnets that might do the trick. Otherwise, it's the "long" route of dismantling a few pieces. Thanks again!
The second door up has the springs, bottom door is just a gravity pull down like your change drawer on the left at least it is on my S model... Same happened to mine, 9 out of 10 times it will be the tab is broken on the main cover that holds the other end of the spring, sad part is if it's broken it's part of the main plastic center cover and you have to replace the whole thing .....I found my broken piece but also found it impossible to hold any glue fix, I used a thin rubber band through the spring hole on the door(had to widen it) then wrapped it around the back of the tray, it worked ok only the suns heat kept destroying the rubber band over time..Anyone have a good fix for this other then buying a whole new dealer piece $$$
I got real energetic one day and came up with this fix for the first tray above the shifter that always seems to break the tab and hold-back spring. It works better than when new now! Here's what I did: Bought a ten-pack of small earth magnets at the local auto supply store for $4.99. Removed the bottom tray and put a dab of Elmer's Super Glue on the black "bar" that is part of the main console, approx. halfway across, then stuck one of the earth magnets in the center. Put some glue and a magnet on the opposing tray where it would match up with the other console magnet when closed. Waited 24 hours for glue to set up, then put an additional magnet on each of the glued magnets to take up the height difference when closed (so that the two-now four-magnets would be closer together when the door is shut). Then, just for good measure, I tied a #64 rubber band around the console and then put it around the broken tab on the door. The rubber band will wear and break over time, but takes approx. 10 seconds to replace (and cheap!)! Now when I open the door, it stays open for approx. 10 seconds and then closes on its own! Perfect and cheap! Total time to do: ten minutes if you take your time (plus the 24 hour wait for the glue to dry)! Give it a try if you like. The best part is that the fix is totally hidden and you can't tell its been touched and you can "feel" the pull of the magnets keeping it closed, but not too much as to make it an effort to open the door. Works great now, and much cheaper than replacing the whole console!
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9th generation Corolla auxiliary trays replacement
.....I found my broken piece but also found it impossible to hold any glue fix, I used a thin rubber band through the spring hole on the door(had to widen it) then wrapped it around the back of the tray, it worked ok only the suns heat kept destroying the rubber band over time..Anyone have a good fix for this other then buying a whole new dealer piece $$$
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