Center console and armrest — removal and installation
Warning: The models covered by this manual are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), more commonly known as airbags. Always disarm the airbag system before working in the vicinity of any airbag system component to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbag, which could cause personal injury (see Chassis electrical system).
1. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal (see Engine electrical systems).
2. Remove the knee bolster, driver’s side trim panel and passenger’s side trim panel
(see Dashboard trim panels — removal and installation).
Note: On models equipped with the Smart Key system, pry the panel out and disconnect the electrical connector to the «Power» button.
3. Carefully pry the upper, center and side trim panels out from the instrument panel until the clips disengage (see illustration), then remove the panels.
22.3 Use a trim tool to pry out the upper center and side trim panels
4. Twist the shift lever knob counter clock- wise and remove the knob.
5. On automatic transaxle models, carefully pry the floor shift indicator up from the console until the clips disengage (see illustration), disconnect any electrical connectors and remove the indicator assembly.
22.5 Use a trim tool to pry up the shift indicator panel
6. On manual transaxle models, open the cup holder lid and carefully pry the floor shift cover up from the console until the clips disengage and remove the boot and cover.
7. On Avalon and Lexus models, pry the seat heater switch panel up to disengage the four mounting clips, then disconnect the electrical connector and remove the switch assembly.
8. Pry the top trim panel from the floor console until the mounting clips disengage and remove the panel (see illustration).
22.8 Pry up the trim panel from the top of the console
Note: On Avalon models, the top trim panel is also attached with several mounting fasteners that must be removed before disengaging the mounting clips.
9. Remove the lower storage box mounting screws (see illustration) and pry the box out far enough to disconnect the electrical connectors.
22.9 Lower storage box mounting screws
10. On Camry and Lexus models, pry up the center register panel above the center trim panel and disconnect the electrical connector (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems).
Note: The radio unit and trim are an assembly and must be removed together (see Chassis electrical system).
11. On Avalon models, remove the center register and A/C heater control panel assembly (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems) and audio unit (see Chassis electrical system).
12. Remove the upper and lower mounting screws (see illustration) at the front of console side pieces and remove the sides.
22.12 Remove the console side panel upper mounting screws
Note: On Lexus models, disengage the mounting clips next to the mounting screws. On Avalon models, the console is a long one-piece unit.
13. On Lexus models, pry the rear end panel of the center console outwards to disengage the panel from the console and remove the two mounting bolts from the end of the console.
14. Open the armrest, remove the console pocket (if equipped) and lift the carpet out from the bottom of the console. Remove the mounting fasteners and lift the console out.
Note: Some models have a mounting clip at the bottom of the console that must be disengaged before the console can be removed.
15. Installation is the reverse of removal.