Replacing the front cupholder drawer on a T5.1

AlanC · May 4, 2019

The right-hand cup holder top hinge has broken so the whole pull-out drawer needs to be replaced.
I have bought a replacement from my local VWCV dealer (they hold them in stock as they get broken so often apparently) but my question is how much of the trim needs to be removed?

Has anyone done this?

It looks like the grey trim under the glove box which covers the air con has to come off, as does the one round the gear lever housing. There appears to be a hidden screw behind the plastic bag hook, but I am unable to see the fixing down by the clutch pedal area.

Will have another grope about tomorrow, but any help would be appreciated.

Alan

TripleBee · May 4, 2019

If I remember well, you need to strip both left and right side of the central part of the dashboard (underside).
This is if you have the Multivan dashboard. If you have the Transporter dashboard, I don't really know.

TripleBee · May 4, 2019

And while you are at it, you might consider installing one of these?

Always comes in handy, a 12V charging port.
I use it for my dashcam. When the cupholder is pulled out, it squeeks and rattles more than I can bear. So I am happy I installed that extra 12V connection. It is connected to the cigarette lighter in the cupholder/ashtray, and is directly from the battery, so always pull things out when leaving the car, otherwise your starter battery will drain!!

And be carefull when you pull out the small part on the right. There is 1 hook that needs to be slided to one side, can't remember which. Otherwise it will break, like mine

.

Perfectos · May 4, 2019

Most of the lower trim has to come off, along with the passenger side end cap for the dash, I did it on a 5.1 no bigee just needs a little care and time. (End with air bag switch, don’t turn the ignition on whilst the air bag is disconnected)

Im sure if you search tinternet someone will have posted a vid. I bought a Haynes manual (Old skool) removal of lower dash trim is all in there and simple.

Alternatively a body shop will be able to do it

TripleBee · May 4, 2019

Perfectos said:
Most of the lower trim has to come off, along with the passenger side end cap for the dash, I did it on a 5.1 no bigee just needs a little care and time. (End with air bag switch, don’t turn the ignition on whilst the air bag is disconnected)

Im sure if you search tinternet someone will have posted a vid. I bought a Haynes manual (Old skool) removal of lower dash trim is all in there and simple.

Alternatively a body shop will be able to do it

Or leave the right side panel hanging on the cable, so you don't have to worry about the airbag warning light. That light is never going to go out and this will lead you to the VW dealer for a reset of the fault codes, or someone who has an alternative software to erase the faults.

Perfectos · May 4, 2019

There is a torx head screw above the pedals that needs to be removed you need to lay on the drivers side floor to see it

WelshGas · May 4, 2019

AlanC said:
The right-hand cup holder top hinge has broken so the whole pull-out drawer needs to be replaced.
I have bought a replacement from my local VWCV dealer (they hold them in stock as they get broken so often apparently) but my question is how much of the trim needs to be removed?

Has anyone done this?

It looks like the grey trim under the glove box which covers the air con has to come off, as does the one round the gear lever housing. There appears to be a hidden screw behind the plastic bag hook, but I am unable to see the fixing down by the clutch pedal area.

Will have another grope about tomorrow, but any help would be appreciated.

Alan

westfalia · May 4, 2019

WelshGas said:

Second vid. 10 seconds.
Whats a screw down by air ?

TripleBee · May 4, 2019

Screw down by eur? Don't know that accent.

WelshGas · May 4, 2019

westfalia said:
Second vid. 10 seconds.
Whats a screw down by air ?

Screw down by “here”.?

AlanC · May 5, 2019

Thanks WG. Will do this next week.

Alan

AlanC · May 7, 2019

An update.
Having watched the video (posted by @WG) with the somewhat dodgy camerawork, replacing the cup drawer was awkward but relatively simple.

My main issue was that there is a black cover below the grey panel on the passenger side. This covers the air con and is retained by 3 screws at the front edge. Two of these were easy to remove but the one on the far left was a real pain as the only screwdriver I had with the right sized Torx bit fouled the wheel arch below. By flexing the grey panel down a little I was able to get a purchase on it.

The rest was just exploring logically and easing the trim off on the front of the gear lever panel to gain access to the right-hand screw on the drawer.

Fitting the new drawer was the reverse process. I inserted the troublesome screw before refitting the panels on the left. Having decent trim panel levers also helped as I didn't damage anything in the process.

Alan

TripleBee · May 7, 2019

Good all worked out as planned.

One question: why do British California's seem to have the Transporter/Caravelle dashboard, and All those I have seen in Belgium have the more luxurious Multivan dashboard?

AlanC · May 8, 2019

TripleBee said:
Good all worked out as planned.

One question: why do British California's seem to have the Transporter/Caravelle dashboard, and All those I have seen in Belgium have the more luxurious Multivan dashboard?

As far as I can tell the earlier T5/T5.1s had a dash specified by the importers VWUK and my guess is that this is why we got the Transporter/Caravelle dash. All the mainland Europe Calis I have seen have a better Multivan dash.

Alan