So I had to slam on my breaks...and the lid came off a big gulp and spilled all over the gearshift area. I know Coca-Cola is corrosive. Now I'm paranoid that it's all under where I shift to drive, reverse, etc.

I need to figure out how to get under there to clean it out. I found this post...


From Bob F:

Here's a great "how-to" link that shows how to remove the center console with some photos:

http://www.skyeflye.com/acura_cls/I...001-2003_CL.pdf

Is this the best/only way to get under the shifter? IE, removing trim, then center arm rest/storage area, then unscrewing everything?

Also, is time of the essence with getting under there? Am I in danger of having something bad happen to the gearbox?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

i think you'll be ok - not like you need to get in there in less than two days or something.

i bought my '99 a year ago and i was in the center console after i bought it to install some stereo components and it looked like the previous owner had spilled a grip of coke there and it had probably been there for at least 6 months. i'm in car detailing so i kinda know how old spills look.

the link doesnt work for me, but if you spilled a whole big gulp in there i'd suggest doing a deep, thorough clean of that sucker - it gets into every crevice under there....and there are plenty under there! plan on taking at least two hours if you want it to be as good as/better than before.

 

What can happen is the soda gets into the 3 micro switches that send a shift signal to the computer.
You can try spraying electrical contact cleaner down into the shifter BUT the switches are underneath a plastic mounting plate- so its hiot and miss maybe you got them maybe not
the only full access is thru removal of console. If one or more die it wont shift! parts are about 35-45 per