Ashtray won't open, please help

trevor56 · 09-03-2016, 04:17 PM

The ashtray on my center console will not pop open, the spring seems to be OK but the lid will not release open. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to make the ashtray door spring open? Thanks

I took an ipad video of the issue & uploaded it to youtube. The link to the video is below:

ezaircon4jc · 09-03-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor56

The ashtray on my center console will not pop open, the spring seems to be OK but the lid will not release open. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to make the ashtray door spring open? Thanks

I took an ipad video of the issue & uploaded it to youtube. The link to the video is below:

Do you have change in there? If so, try hitting the side of the console to jar any change away from the latch. If there is change in there one of the coins is jamming the mechanism and you'll have to try and jar it loose.

If not... I have no idea. Have you just tried repeatedly (like a LOT of times) pushing on the release point?

trevor56 · 09-03-2016, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Do you have change in there? If so, try hitting the side of the console to jar any change away from the latch. If there is change in there one of the coins is jamming the mechanism and you'll have to try and jar it loose.

If not... I have no idea. Have you just tried repeatedly (like a LOT of times) pushing on the release point?

Thanks for your reply & suggestion. To the best of my knowledge there is no change in the ashtray. I tried hitting/banging on the side of the console & did not hear any rattling of change & the lid still won't open. I have been pushing on the lid many times for many weeks with no luck so far.

armanm · 09-03-2016, 06:57 PM

Hey there same thing happened to me last night. Turns out that the wood trim was out of place, use something thin to pry it open then snap the wood trim back into place.

ezaircon4jc · 09-03-2016, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armanm

Hey there same thing happened to me last night. Turns out that the wood trim was out of place, use something thin to pry it open then snap the wood trim back into place.

There is that... Happened to me last week...

PJinCA · 09-04-2016, 12:20 AM

lol, I would be thrilled if mine stayed shut. mine seems to open if I look at it the wrong way.

ezaircon4jc · 09-04-2016, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJinCA

lol, I would be thrilled if mine stayed shut. mine seems to open if I look at it the wrong way.

My wife keeps leaning on it and popping it open...

trevor56 · 09-05-2016, 07:55 AM

Found this youtube video & once I got the console panel lifted I could then remove the ashtray from the panel & with a little finagling I got the ashtray lid to open.

corys530 · 09-05-2016, 09:13 AM

i use mine to hold my keys while im driving, so as not to fill up the cupholders

just be sure not to close it, anything that slides to the right will jam it and prevent opening which is what Im sure happened to you....maybe a wife or kid put something in it and it slid over into the right side hole.....bad design if you ask me

Ive pried mine up just a little and put a thin dental instrument or similar in mine to move a coin out the hole before..

Bmw doubles · 09-05-2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor56

Found this youtube video & once I got the console panel lifted I could then remove the ashtray from the panel & with a little finagling I got the ashtray lid to open.

Awesome video I needed that, thanks.

trevor56 · 09-06-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw doubles

Awesome video I needed that, thanks.

Happy to have helped. gl

09-03-2016, 04:17 PM	#1
trevor56 Enlisted Member 19 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 550ix Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Ashtray won't open, please help The ashtray on my center console will not pop open, the spring seems to be OK but the lid will not release open. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to make the ashtray door spring open? Thanks I took an ipad video of the issue & uploaded it to youtube. The link to the video is below:
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09-03-2016, 06:57 PM	#4
armanm Lieutenant General 48 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2018 540i M Sport2015 535i M S Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00]	Hey there same thing happened to me last night. Turns out that the wood trim was out of place, use something thin to pry it open then snap the wood trim back into place. __________________ 2018 540i M Sport Alpine White 2015 535i M Sport (Past) 2012 328i Luxury Line (Past)
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09-04-2016, 12:20 AM	#6
PJinCA USAF Pararescue Veteran 332 Rep 770 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	lol, I would be thrilled if mine stayed shut. mine seems to open if I look at it the wrong way.
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09-05-2016, 07:55 AM	#8
trevor56 Enlisted Member 19 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 550ix Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Fixed Found this youtube video & once I got the console panel lifted I could then remove the ashtray from the panel & with a little finagling I got the ashtray lid to open.
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09-05-2016, 09:13 AM	#9
corys530 Private 20 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2012 535i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	i use mine to hold my keys while im driving, so as not to fill up the cupholders just be sure not to close it, anything that slides to the right will jam it and prevent opening which is what Im sure happened to you....maybe a wife or kid put something in it and it slid over into the right side hole.....bad design if you ask me Ive pried mine up just a little and put a thin dental instrument or similar in mine to move a coin out the hole before.. __________________ 2001 530i 2004 330i 2006 X5 4.4 the beast 2014 328i 2012 535i Last edited by corys530; 09-05-2016 at 09:18 AM..
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