Ok, so on Friday my friends and I were in my car and one of them DROPPED A SODA ON MY CENTER CONSOLE! Most of the soda (Dr. Pepper) went into the cup holders and on the floor. However some went into the shifter and now sometimes it gets stuck in Park and it feels sticky when moving it because the soda made everything inside sticky. Any suggestions to fix this problem? Also what is the best method to clean our floor mats and carpet?
Thanks.

 

for floormats and carpet, would using some diluted carpet cleaner. As for the center console, you have to either:
A: Rip it apart and clean everything by hand, including the all of the electical connections.

B: go to an acura dealership and paya bunch of money to have them fix it back for you.

Search for soda spill and you will find maybe 1 or 2 threads on how to clean up and what specifically. Also do it quickly as the sodas are corrosive and might eat thru some wires.

 

csmeance, thanks for the info. I'm debating whether to take it to the dealer or do it myself. I think I'm leaning towards taking it to the dealer because I don't have any time at the moment.

 

what you need is a can of CRC electrical contact cleaner for fine electronics
There are 3 micro switches that run the trans- soda is BAD for them- spray liberally and hope
Take to a car stereo shop and have them do the same job- they know how to get the center console out- dealer doesnt do often enough, or use the skilled labor guys for that job!

 

Sorry to hear about this. Someone else had this happen and it ended up costing him something like $400 to get it all cleaned up and back to normal.

Soda is not allowed in my TL.

Your new rule should be bottled water only!

 

I hope you gave your friend a good ass whoopin

 

It shouldn't be too much of a problem to give it a thorough cleaning. By the way, I didn't spill anything. This is for an upcoming deletion to my TL Diet.

 

Thanks for all the info you guys!
01tl4tl: If I buy this spray do I just spray it inside the cracks or what?
Inaccurate: how hard is it to take apart the center console to the extent where I can clean the necessary parts?

 

I feel bad about my previous post. I was joking and being sarcastic. It is a big pain to take the console apart.

First, as an investiment in time, you would want to remove the passenger seat to have room to work in. This is not required, but worth it to make life easier.

Carefully pop up the aluminuim trim running the length of console on both sides.

Next, unbolt rear half of center consule, and move it rearward some to get it out of the way.

Remove glove box and it's inner box lining.

Remove the side of the console (on the passenger side of console).

I never did figure out how to get the cover off for the gear shifter. I followed the instructions in the service manual, but no go. Thankfully, this was optional for my needs, and I left the gearshifter cover alone.

How much time? I took about two hours to do the steps outlined above. However, re-assembly went very quick, just about 30 minutes because everything easily snaps back into place. The disassembly took me much longer because I did not want to break anything (everything is plastic), and I moved very slowly because this was my first time to do it.

I was joking and being sarcastic in my first post, I do not recommend that you do it without studying the service manual first to see how things are designed to come apart (without breaking). Then, after studying the manual, plan to spend 4 to 6 hours from start to finish.

 

hmmmm I'll pass, I guess I'll try the CRC cleaner and if its still sticky I'll take it somewhere to get cleaned.

 

YO first have to unscrew the shift knob, take of the silver trim ring, then open up the bottom compartment and pry up on the carbon fiber/wood trim, it should pop up. Then take the entire assembly and twist a little while pulling, it should come out easily. I had trouble the first time, but with a little confidence, the second time it was a breeze. No need to remove seats at all, just remember to unplug the wires for the electrical sockets and the lights.

 

Ok so I ended up having my parents take the car to the dealer because I didn't have time to go myself and the dealership said that it would cost $700! Supposedly the soda got everywhere inside my car and engine. (It was a Large Soda from Jack-In-The-Box). I really feel bad for my friend now because hes gonna have to pay for it now. :\.

 

Engine?

 

Yeah thats what I said haha. Its $600 now, not $700. The guy gave me a $100 discount?

 

how did it .. get into the engine?

 

yea seriously,,, i think the dealer is pulling his leg

 

rofl engine... stealership at its best.

 

What did they need to do with the engine?

Please let us know who this dealer is so we can avoid them like the plague.

 

OMG, dealerships are so shady.... plz dont play those 700 dollars. Im sure the cleaning wont take longer than 1 hour and they are only gonna use a wet towel to clean it.

 

If you are around my area i can help you clean it.

 

ok ok ok, they didn't say ENGINE my dad said that because hes not a car person.

 

Also, the soda didn't just go all over my center console, it actually spilled into my shifter and went inside and after a few days it would be stuck in Park and in Neutral and in Drive because of the soda stickying up the microswitches inside.

 

I assume it wasn't diet soda? If it was regular it is a real pain to get all that sugar out. If it was diet at least it's easier to clean. Good luck!!

 

yeah it was regular dr.pepper.

 

whre do you live man? i can help you take it out no problem. if you gonna do it. it is very simple . if you never taking stuff apart before, i think it take you a good hour but it can be done. good luck man

 

So what ended up happening?
Did your friend end up paying 600 dollars to get that cleaned out?
making me curious here tlheaven

 

holy thread revival!.. I'm guessing 1llest had the same thing happen.

 

I would have snapped on my friend even though it probley was a mistake. Rules of my car is nothing but water unless its my drink then I can blame myself