Can somebody tell me the correct way to open up the overhead console in my TR. I would like to hardwire my V1. Thanks!
Dear Ferraristi, To gain access, you go through the map light. I use a pair of needle nose pliers with tape wrapped around the jaws till it's soft. The surface area on the map light is so small, you will scratch it if you use a cloth. Pull the map light straight down. You will see a center bolt holding up the console. Undo the bolt and slide the console forward towards the windshield to release small metal clips attached to the console. The console will dismount with the wires from the front switches holding it in place. If you want to remove the console out of the car: First, pry forward the left and right switches ( fogs, defog ) ( center is a dummy switch ) and disconnect the harness then proceed with console removal. Be very careful removing the harness off the switches. The wires run the current through the switch for the fogs and defog ( typical stupid Ferrari ) and the harness and wire plug gets very brittle, melted, weak, broken and stuck on the switch. If you try to just pull it off, you will probably take one of the switch pins with it. ( ask me how I know ) The switch pins are only held on a circuit board exiting the rear of the switches. If you want to just change the upper console light bulb: Pull switches out as above. Remove map light and from the center hole where the map light sits, put your fingers in there and pry down (SLOWLY ) on the tinted plastic. It has 2 mounting tabs on the rear and 2 on the front. By pulling down, you are creating a bend in the plastic and that will release the 2 rear tabs. Once released on the rear, pull back slowly to see the angle of the front tabs and pull off accordingly. This will release the 2 front tabs. DO THIS SLOWLY !!!! Those tabs will break ( HA....didn't happen to me! ) if too much pressure is applied or in too much of a hurry. Once the tinted plastic is out of the way, the white defuser should come out ( not glued but may be stuck with time ). If it's stuck, pry gently on a corner with a "pin" tool. You will see a row of lights. The light is soooo bad in the TR, you always think the bulbs have blown...nope all working, just that tinted cover shades all the light. Later on, I think I will modify the cover to a single surface mounted light like you find in the center console covered glove box ( between the seats)....yeah yeah....just gotta get to it. I hope that helps. Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice !
Thanks for the detailed write-up Shamile. I just need to tap into a power source and ground up there plus I would like to check the overhead light. I think it still lights but is next to worthless for output.
