Instrument Panel Box no longer dropping down?

[atomic8778]

My instrument panel box (the box on the lower dash to the left of the steering wheel for coins and other small things) seems to no longer open without some force. It previously would drop slowly open whenever I hit the "open" button, but now I have to nudge it open.

I checked the service manuals and it looks like I'd have to remove the entire assembly, as well as the lower dash, to inspect the box. Wanted to check with anyone to see if someone else had a similar problem and fixed it without opening the lower dash.

Hoping it's an easy fix like a little WD-40 or something...otherwise I guess I'll live with it!

 

[lx200inAR]

There's a small spring wrapped around one of the pivots the door opens on. The spring most likely came off it's catch, so you've lost the spring force that pushes against the bushing on the other side that slows down the opening process. Hopefully that makes sense. Once it's all apart it's pretty clear. I had to do this recently. I only bothered to fix it because i was taking out the cubby to mount a switch to it. It didn't take removing too much stuff, but honestly I can't exactly remember everything that had to come out. I feel like the bottom doesn't need to come out. I took it out, but I was trying to get to the firewall.

 

[atomic8778]

There's a small spring wrapped around one of the pivots the door opens on. The spring most likely came off it's catch, so you've lost the spring force that pushes against the bushing on the other side that slows down the opening process. Hopefully that makes sense. Once it's all apart it's pretty clear. I had to do this recently. I only bothered to fix it because i was taking out the cubby to mount a switch to it. It didn't take removing too much stuff, but honestly I can't exactly remember everything that had to come out. I feel like the bottom doesn't need to come out. I took it out, but I was trying to get to the firewall.

That gives me some hope! I'm hoping someone else has also tried to fix it without taking out the bottom dash.

The spring description makes sense - I felt like it was something giving it some force to push down. Hopefully I can reattach the spring, or get a new spring (if it's gone) as a separate piece but after searching Lexus parts, it seems it's one entire assembly...fingers crossed!

 

[lx200inAR]

That gives me some hope! I'm hoping someone else has also tried to fix it without taking out the bottom dash.

The spring description makes sense - I felt like it was something giving it some force to push down. Hopefully I can reattach the spring, or get a new spring (if it's gone) as a separate piece but after searching Lexus parts, it seems it's one entire assembly...fingers crossed!

Mine was still there. Just not hooked on the tab anymore. I hate to have you do something that would break it, but I think you just have to get the little switch panel above it loose and then you can pull the pocket out. It’s all one part. You have to start from the right side of the steering pulling things off to get to the left side switch panel. Removing the lower panel isn't really a big deal either.

As a hint, the cup holder cover in the center console is a very similar mechanism if you want to see how one Is connected properly.

Here’s the post I made when I pulled it out. There’s nothing great in there, but it’s something.

Thread 'Auxbeam AR-800 8 Gang Switch Install'
Auxbeam AR-800 8 Gang Switch Install - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/auxbeam-ar-800-8-gang-switch-install.1328397/