So many of us have been surprised to find that our center console locks when the doors are locked, but sadly my situation has gone from plesantly surprised to stuck. It would appear that, while replacing the cup holder for a storage container (well worth it, BTW), my locking mechanism got stuck. After bolting everything back up and closing the console, I cannot get it back open. I have tried various forms of locking and unlocking the doors, and none have released the center console. I know there is an air actuated lock under the console, and the air hose may have fallen off or gotten kinked in the process of doing the cup holder modification... the problem is, I can't remove the console to check the air lines without unbolting it, and I can't unbolt it without opening it, and I can't open it until I check the air lines... and back at the beginning.

Any suggestions on opening a locked console or getting to the air lines without removing it? This seems like a part that should fail-safe to the unlocked position, but no such luck.

-Kevin

 

Pry the storage bin out (carefully so you don't scratch anything) and reach in that opening and push up (or is it down?) on the tab and unlock the console.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.

 

Perhaps you kinked or failed to re-connect the vacuum line to the locking mechanism?

 

I'm having a similar problem right now, as I am trying to re-install the console after removing the cupholder. I know that it must be related to the air line on the locking mechanism, but I can see the line and its connections, and everything looks okay.

In my case, I had been working with the console door open, but in the process of trying to force the console back into place I closed the door. Now I can't get it open to be able to bolt it in place. I will try to get it open, using pizza guy's suggestion, but can anyone tell me how to fix the problem. Also, can I disable this locking system?

 

In all of your wrangling things around, you probably hit the mechanism that locks the door and didn't notice. That is what I did.

Try my suggestoin and reach in and push it up and down (can't remember which position is lock, and which is unlock) and you'll probably be ok.

Just make sure the hose is connected right before you put it all back together. You can always hit the lock/unlock buttons on the key fob and make it lock and unlock. Should be no big deal.

If you want to disable it, leave the hose off and leave the lock in the unlocked position - but I'd want to seal up the end of the hose in fear that debris will get into to hose and make it's way to the pump.

 

I went out to the garage this morning to resume working on this project, and hit the lock and unlock buttons on my key fob. The console covered opened normally, so I re-assembled everything. I checked the locking mechanism before I tightened it all up, but when I finished, the console wouldn't lock anymore. THAT'S PERFECT! I never have anything of value in there, so I don't need it to lock.

The pneumatic locking mechanism works when I push the buttons on the key fob, so I suspect that the door doesn't lock because the latch is out of adjustment. In fact, the console door has never been flush with the rest of the top of the console when it is closed. It is probably 1/8 inch higher. Does anyone know how to adjust this, so that the top of the cover is flush with the rest of the console when it is latched?