I know this topic has been discussed before, but I need more help. I have a 99 TL and I am trying to replace the light bulb under the shift plate. I have removed the shift plate cover and surround piece as well as the entire console from the cup holders back (including the wood strips). I have also removed all of the screws that I can see around the shifter but I still cannot remove the console portion that surrounds it. It won't budge. It feels like there is something holding on to it. I searched past threads but did not see this specific problem mentioned.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

hope this can help
http://www.abunchofcars.com/diy_page...er_console.htm

 

WOW! Thanks for the incredible detail. This will be a huge help!!! I can't believe I have to go through all of this to replace this stupid little light bulb. Off to the garage.......

Thanks again!

 

umm if your talking about the bulb that lights up the 1, 2, D3, D4, D5, R, N, etc, you DONT have to remove all that shit. All you do is remove the sourround piece by pulling it up, then removing the shift plate by pushing it to one side and then pulling it up, and then removing the plastic piece that has the shift positions on it simply by pulling it up. hopefully i'm talking about the same bulb as you

 

umm if your talking about the bulb that lights up the 1, 2, D3, D4, D5, R, N, etc, you DONT have to remove all that shit. All you do is remove the sourround piece by pulling it up, then removing the shift plate by pushing it to one side and then pulling it up, and then removing the plastic piece that has the shift positions on it simply by pulling it up. hopefully i'm talking about the same bulb as you

 

I tried pulling up that shift position piece and I was successful in loosening it, but I could not seem to get it through the console opening. Any advice?

 

yea all you have to do is unscrey your shift knob. then pop off the 2 trim pieces (the trim ring and the shift gate) once those are removed all you have to do is pull straight up on the indicator piece and the bulb is right under that. its a 2 min job. you dont need to remove every thing on the center console. this piece pulls straight up



even with the sides removed you cant get to the bulb any other way

 

Thanks for your help. I finally got it.

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I'm in the process of trying to change my shift plate bulb and I went through all the steps but its hard to get a grip on that really small bulb to pull it out, should I use any kind of tool? Is there a trick to this, it does not seem like it wants to budge.....

 

I replaced mine last year. I used a pair of plyers and VERY GENTLE pressure. You do not want the bulb to burst. I would rock it with your hand first, then try the plyers. It might not hurt to try some sand paper in your hand to give you a little more grip on the bulb.

 

OK, cool, thanx, just wanted to make sure it is that little bulb I see because it really does not budge when I try to take it out, what size is that bulb by the way??