Cup Holder Won't Open; Napkin Stuck Inside. Difficult to Fix?
#1
Cup Holder Won't Open; Napkin Stuck Inside. Difficult to Fix?
My wife was trying to prevent damage to our 2003 LS. There was condensation from her bottle of ice water, and she didn't want water drops touching the polished walnut below. Very commendable, but it led her to make a mistake.
She put a napkin under the bottle, but neglected to remove the napkin, which eventually slipped down and into the open/exposed retraction mechanism. Now the cup holder is stuck in its retracted position.
I showed this to the service manager at my local Lexus and he said his guys would need to remove the wood in order to access the napkin. I told him I'd have it done at my next servicing.
What I'd really like is to do it myself, since I'm unemployed right now, but I'm extremely NOT handy. Does anyone know if this is something I can easily fix on my own? Thanks!
In my car, unlike in newer LS models, the cup holder retracts into a spot at the front of the armrest.
She put a napkin under the bottle, but neglected to remove the napkin, which eventually slipped down and into the open/exposed retraction mechanism. Now the cup holder is stuck in its retracted position.
I showed this to the service manager at my local Lexus and he said his guys would need to remove the wood in order to access the napkin. I told him I'd have it done at my next servicing.
What I'd really like is to do it myself, since I'm unemployed right now, but I'm extremely NOT handy. Does anyone know if this is something I can easily fix on my own? Thanks!
In my car, unlike in newer LS models, the cup holder retracts into a spot at the front of the armrest.
#4
Thanks for the replies. There's really nothing to show in a picture, since everything looks in order.
As napkins go, this one is pretty robust. Still, I hear you guys--it is just paper. But I always baby everything in this car, and I'm concerned that pulling hard might break the cup holder, thereby compounding my problem. Although I'm tempted now....
As napkins go, this one is pretty robust. Still, I hear you guys--it is just paper. But I always baby everything in this car, and I'm concerned that pulling hard might break the cup holder, thereby compounding my problem. Although I'm tempted now....
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#9
The wetting method could work, but be extremely careful as you don't want liquids reaching anything electrical. Perhaps you could muscle it out enough to slide in a turkey baster type thing and concentrate water ON the napkin. I also agree that the mechanism is quite robust, so careful tugs should eventually crush the paper.
#10
Totally out of sight. In fact, for a while the tray was open, and only a tiny bit of the napkin was visible. But then she decided to shut it--I don't know why. And that's where the story has so far stalled.
#11
read these postshttp://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62993
Last edited by honeygee2; 09-06-12 at 04:49 AM.
#12
Removing the wood yourself is straight forward to get to the cup mechanism... there should be a tutorial with pics so just do a search. If I remember correctly, first unscrew shift ***, lever up and remove chrome bezel off shift plate, pull lowest wood trim off center stack, then pull up and remove big wood piece (careful not to crack it)... then 2 bolts holding down cup mechanism in case you need to pull that up to work on it.
Note - I would make sure you use taped up tools like screw driver to do all the levering, or better yet get trim removal tools that are plastic and won't scratch...
Note - I would make sure you use taped up tools like screw driver to do all the levering, or better yet get trim removal tools that are plastic and won't scratch...
#13
Just so you folks know..the cupholder part alone is 184 bucks....dont ask me how I know. I believe there is a way to access the cupholder by taking the bottom out of the center console box. thats how dealers change them.
read these postshttp://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62993
read these postshttp://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62993
#14
There are photo tutorial in Club Lexus for the removal of the wood panel. It's found in the area where folks were installing the ViasTech unit for the stereo. I did that, and removal of this panel is a piece of cake for even those with no mechanical confidence. Do a search and go do it!
#15
You shouldnt have to remove the shift **** just remove the wood grain located at the heated seat controls then remove chrome trim around shift **** and then remove wood panel around shift **** . Then there should be 4 screws that hold the cup holder in place.