evanskies

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/99104/coin_stuck_behind_shifter.jpg"></center><p>Im glad im not the only one with this problem...I have a coin stuck under the ciggarrette lighter next to the shifter as seen in the picture. I want to take it out myself because if i give it to the dealer it will take very long to get the car back. How do i lift up the area around the shifter (im told thats one way to get access to the coin. thanks for your help!

DenverNoob

by grasping the panel on both sides (from the inside...basically folding the shift boot under the edge if that makes sense) and pull firmly up. there are 4 clips that hold it in place, before setting it down, make sure all 4 are there. you will not be able to remove it completely as the shift **** is attached to the lever via a one-time-use clamp that is very difficult to get off and has a death-grip on the lever.

DirkM

There was once a posting here from someone who used double-sided tape and he got the coin out through the opening of the lid.

I could never get it that way and to remove the ash tray you have to pull the radio out, lift the A/C control unit up (don't unplug it if you don't have a VAG-COM), get the trim around the shifter off and then you can remove the two screws that hold the ashtray and lift it up to get to the coin(s).

IIRC you cannot get the ashtray out without removing the A/C. And you cannot remove the A/C without pulling the radio.

rfh

I went through this a while back as well. Once you pull the shift boot up, the ashtray is held down by two screws. You need to put a little bit of force behind it and it doesn't come straight out, but it will come out. Be careful because the LED and the lighter wires aren't that long. The LED comes off pretty easy and most likely will while you reinstall the ashtray...repeatedly.
I don't know how much room it will give you, but you may be able to just pop the cover off the ashtray. Pull it straight out, don't wiggle it. It will come off.
Take what DenverNoob said seriously. I dropped one of the clips when I removed the shift boot to do some custom work on it. It made it's way pretty deep and took me about 20 minutes to find it.

evanskies

WOW. the easiest job just turned out to be the hardest lol. thanks a lot guys!

travisA4

the shift boot "pops" off, just squeeze both sides of it... and the aluminum trim around the shift is held in place by metal clips, pull the end closest to the parking brake out first with both hands... it will pop out- once you remove this you will be able to access the nuts that hold in the ash tray...