Skinny

I have a 1995 ES300. The ashtray assembly went bad a few thousand miles ago. Currently, it stays open, the mechanism which keeps it closed, I guess does not work any longer.

ANyone know how to replace it on a 1995 ES300? how to dissect the center console?

And does anybody know where I could buy a ashtray assembly cheap? new or used?

NVICTIS

Its really simple, there is a plastic piece UNDER THE RADIO. Remove this piece to access the screws behind it. Then pop up the wood piece around the shifter (TIP: I always start from the side closest to the e-brake). That will allow you access to the screws on the bottom of the ash tray, and wwwaaaalllllllaaaa! If this doesn't help you than nothing can. post progress

The_Hitman

Here's a little more help...

Hope it will help.

Skinny

NVICTIS,

How do I remove the plastic piece under the radio? Is it just clipped in? Do I pull it towards me or down?

How do I remove the wood piece around the shifter??? Gently with a flat edged screwdriver starting at the parking brake as you said???

Thanks for your help.


Hitman,

Thanks for the link!!

NVICTIS

This stuff is all simple, (don't be afraid to try stuff on your es). The piece under the radio is taken out by using a f/h screwdriver and prying towards you on each side. I can just pop mine out with my hand, but I have done it a few times and recomend that you use the screwdriver. The wood piece is just like you guessed. Good luck and remember that it is a lex, so BE CAREFULL!

Skinny

Thanks man.

I'll let you know how it goes. Of course, first I have to buy a replacement part.

fallabel

Hey, just curious...What's a "1995 ES300 Lightweight Edition"? I didn't know that they made lightweight-ed ES's.

Skinny

fallabel,

Lexus never made a lightweight edition. It's a little something a friend of mine came up with.

I have one of the unique ES300s with no options on it. It's black with black cloth interior, no moonroof, no CD-changer, and no moonroof!!!! So my car is about 75 or so lbs. lighter than 99% of the 1st generation ES300's on the road, hence my friend calls it the "Lightweight Edition". Pretty funny!!

SlashBecks

Hey skinny, lemme know when you find a good source for buying that ashtray assembly...i'm looking for the cupholder cause I screwed mine up, it works but the push spring doesn't function, i gotta pry it out manually...i found www.car-part.com to be a good source for finding parts, as i found my tail light there..btw i have a '96 ES...i tried looking at that site, but under the parts listing, there's nothing related to ashtray or cupholder, maybe it's called something else...

anyhow if you find something plz post details

Skinny

SlashBecks,

Give Tap Recycling a call. They sell used parts basically out of junked cars. Their phone number is 800-765-7100. I called them yesterday and they quoted me a price of $75 plus about $10 shipping for the ashtray assembly and cupholders(part of the same unit). That sure beats the new price from a lexus dealer of about $300!!!

I'm still think a used ashtray for my ES300 with 117K miles at $75 is a bit expensive, so I'm going to look around a bit more. In the meantime I'm going to try and fix the current assembly in my car myself with the directions given above on how to remove trim pieces.

SlashBecks

skinny, i was thinking about calling those guys, but when i had called them for my tail light they gave me a quote of 120 plus shipping...which in my opinion was way too high, i found my taillight at car-part.com for $90 shipped...and judging by the quote you got for the ashtry assembly, they're still a bit pricey...

although you gotta consider one thing, from the dealer the part costs around $380, at least the dealership here, so relatively, 75 is not a bad deal at all like you said...but again you should always look around, since tap usually charges a little more, it's likely you may get the part for $50 or so somewhere else...lemme know how it goes...