Audi A8 D3 3.0 v6 TDI SE - Ash Tray Wont Close - How to Remove Veneer

[NickMellis]

Hi All

I just bought my mum a 2008 Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE.

I noticed the ash tray door will not close and wondered if anyone has any fixes for this.

My first idea was to replace the whole module and remove the veneer and replace veneer on new module.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

Nick

[Steve Q]

The wood trim covers are held on by four clips and some hot glue from the factory.

Remove it by putting the shifter in S, and use a T20 to remove the center bolt behind the ashtray.
The whole unit including the lighter slides out.
The power cable on the right needs to be disconnected before it will come all the way out.

There is a latch on the tray itself that mates with an arm in the body. 

The arm is supposed to stay attached to the housing, probably with a plastic piece that has broken off.
Just to the right of the latch you can attach a paperclip that threads around the arm and through the back. On the back just twist the paperclip together and trim the excess. 

This will hold the arm in place and allow the ashtray to seat and latch.
One paperclip is a lot better than £150 odd for the housing! 

Alternatively you can find the gear mechanism on eBay.