Perform Do-It-Yourself auto maintenance at your own risk. You can kill or injure someone or damage the car. Work or raise an auto only on a level, concrete floor. Do not go under any auto unless you are completely certain that it is secure. You and only you, are responsible for your work and safety.

Front and rear, left and right is ALWAYS related to the car itself, NOT how you are facing it:
LEFT is always the DRIVER side.
RIGHT is always the PASSENGER side.

Text relates to the picture below the text.

Tools and parts needed:
1. Plastic auto body prying tools (a few bucks at Harbor Freight). Plastic is less likely to damage or scratch anything.
2. Cross-tip screwdriver.
3. Optional leather shift knob and/or compatible instrument light bulbs.
4. Eye protection, face protection, gloves and protective clothes.

Plastic prying tools are about 15 cm long and look like this:



Park on level ground and set the parking brake securely. You will be moving the shifter to various positions.

Turn the key to unlock the shifter, but do not start the engine. Depress the brake and move the shifter to Sport. Gently pry out the trigger bezel, starting at the sides. Note that the trigger bezel is oriented with the wide tab at the top:



Move the shifter to a more vertical position. The shift boot locks to the knob with tabs on the left and right sides of the shifter shaft below the trim ring. Squeeze inward on both sides of the boot, below the trim ring to release the tabs and then slide the boot down away from the knob:



Move the shifter back to Sport. Slide the loosened boot/collar down to see and remove the two cross-tip screws:



With the screws out you can place the shifter to a more forward position and lift off the knob. Now you can see the two knob-to-collar atttachment tabs that you released earlier. With the knob off you can still move the shifter as needed, by depressing the black button on top to unlock it.

If you are only removing the shift knob to replace it with the optional leather knob, then install the new knob with the two screws, slide up the collar and snap in the trigger bezel (wide tab up). Knob replacement is finished.



If you are replacing the shift indicator light or removing the console cover; then continue.

With the knob removed, gently pry up the shift indicator plate; starting at the left and working around the back to the right:



Lift the boot up so you can see the shift indicator light at the left front. The light wire is tucked under a clip. Unclip it to give the wire more reach.

Now the plate can be lifted up off the shifter shaft. Move the shifter as needed to ease the plate off. Depressing the black plastic button on top will unlock the shifter, if needed. Then 1/4 turn will remove the light bulb socket:



Now you can set the shift boot/plate assembly aside. The shift indicator light pulls straight out of the socket. Replace it with a compatible instrument light from the dealer or auto parts store. Put the new bulb in and test it by turning on the parking lights before putting anything back together.

If you are only replacing the light, then 1/4 turn will lock it into the plate. Slip the plate over the shifter shaft and clip the light wire back into place. Snap the plate into place and re-install the knob. Indicator light replacement is finished.

Note; It is more difficult, but possible to replace the light without removing the knob. The plate can be raised enough under the knob to reach the light.



Here is the bottom of the shift indicator plate:



Here is a close-up of the trigger bezel:



If you are removing the top console cover, then set the knob and indicator plate aside. Place the screws and trigger bezel in a baggie. Here are the removed parts:



To continue go to "DIY- Remove Top Console Cover"

 

Link: DIY- Remove Top Console Cover (also Replace Cup-holder)

 

Not shown.

 

Here is the shift indicator light wire clip.

 

The shift indicator bulb is 14V, 1.4 W. Can be replaced with a Sylvania 74 from any auto parts store or WalMart.

 

Great writeup! I'm thinking about swapping my shift knob for the leather one. Mine wasn't well taken care of by the previous owner so it's getting kinda white/dingy.

 

The directions say to "squeeze both sides to release and lower shift boot". OK, I have been squeezing for 10 hours, and now my fingers are bleeding, but the boot has never released or lowered! What am I doing wrong?

 

We'll assume you removed the trigger bezel first, as shown.

Then press inward on the left and right, below the trim ring. Look at the picture of the "knob to collar attachment tabs". They are 2 simple springy, plastic tabs. You only need to push them in a bit and lower the boot.

 

Thanks! That should help a lot!

I have ordered a set of tools to remove the trigger bezel!

 

Hey 737 Jock.

Is there a way you could reload the images for this post?