Help! Dr. Pepper Spilled into the Console!
Wayne
My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
have a '95 TA A4 transmission. She tried to clean it up on the exterior
but down inside the console, it must be all around the shifting stick
because it is now sticking and difficult to get out of park after
sitting for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Any
recommendations on how to take the console off and clean it out inside?
Easy, difficult? Any long term harm expected. I may have to take it
into the dealer if I can't come up with something. I took a can of
machine oil and let a few drops run down the shift lever shaft into the
console but don't know if this will help or not. It appeared to be
better after this but the wife says that it is still sticking. Your
help will be greatly appreciated as always!
Timothy R. Sloper
Mark A. Cochran
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In article <6g9esm$r...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>,
Wayne <gwc...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
>large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
>have a '95 TA A4 transmission.
The first thing to remember is that you now have *leverage* (pay
attention, Patman & Brent). You should use this as an excuse to buy
any and all upgrades you've been putting off. Justify them as a
necessary result of the damage *she* caused by her heinous act of
carelessness. If you try, you can think of a way in which a blower is
necessary to fix this sticky shifter.
>She tried to clean it up on the exterior
>but down inside the console, it must be all around the shifting stick
>because it is now sticking and difficult to get out of park after
>sitting for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Any
>recommendations on how to take the console off and clean it out inside?
It's just soda; it'll go away on its own shortly. Clean everything you
can reach with a small brush, and work the shifter to scrape off
what's down inside.
>Easy, difficult? Any long term harm expected. I may have to take it
>into the dealer if I can't come up with something. I took a can of
>machine oil and let a few drops run down the shift lever shaft into the
>console but don't know if this will help or not. It appeared to be
>better after this but the wife says that it is still sticking. Your
>help will be greatly appreciated as always!
Don't panic. But don't tell your wife it's no big deal, or you'll lose
your leverage. If you spill soda on a surface, it dries and gets
sticky. If you rub it, it goes away. Work the shifter to clean the
pieces inside, and clean the surface just like you always do.
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Matt
Wayne <gwc...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<6g9esm$r...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
> My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
> large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
> have a '95 TA A4 transmission.
Well, I had a 93 Firebird V-6 which I never removed the console, but I
needed to for the same reason! I now have a TA 6-speed so mine is a little
different. You'll have to remove the console which is actually not THAT
bad once you do it. The console is easily taken apart once you get it out.
Just clean each piece, then reinstall the console. Did it once myself on
the 6-speed. Getting the console out is the hardest part. There are three
screws, two at the bottom of the compartment and one underneath the console
which can be reached by removing the cover plate at the top. The auto is
different of course. I would call a local dealer and ask the parts
department. They can usually tell you where the screws are located. Maybe
even tell you the installation procedures somewhat. Good luck!
--
93 TA 6-speed
K&N
B&M Shifter
Dynomax Exhaust
ma...@epctech.com
Brent Franker
Mark A. Cochran wrote
>The first thing to remember is that you now have *leverage* (pay
>attention, Patman & Brent). You should use this as an excuse to buy
>any and all upgrades you've been putting off. Justify them as a
>necessary result of the damage *she* caused by her heinous act of
>carelessness. If you try, you can think of a way in which a blower is
>necessary to fix this sticky shifter.
I've already used leverage Dr. Mark... leverage by use of my big foot as it
swept down then up right into her a** as she walked out the door! Just
kidding :)
Really though, I've had my Z for four years. First three years I had a
woman and an air foil for my car. This last year I've got rid of the woman
and replaced her with a Super Mod Fest. Coincidence? I think not! But now
that the majority of the Super Mod Fest is complete I'm looking for a nice
woman again. I love it when a plan comes together! :)
But I do like the advice you gave to Wayne, Dr. Mark. He'll be able to keep
his woman and do a Little Mod Fest while waiting for her to make another
mistake. Wayne, if you did your mod fest correctly, you could get her
mistakes to compound and therefore increase your chances of continuing your
Little Mod Fest! Example: For her spilling the Dr. Pepper tell her you
will forgive her but you want a set of Eibach springs. Get the Eibach
springs installed then let her drive the car. She will be sure to screw up
the front end (no offense Emily :) Now that the front end is screwed up and
will need repairing, you might as well have ground effects done at the same
time!! This goes on and before you know it, you have yourself a blower!
See ya,
Brent
95 T/A - Stock For mods & info
94 Z28 - Not Stock :-) http://www.citrus.infi.net/~bfranker
Preacher
Wayne wrote:
>
> My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
> large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
> but down inside the console, it must be all around the shifting stick
> because it is now sticking and difficult to get out of park after
> sitting for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Any
> recommendations on how to take the console off and clean it out inside?
> into the dealer if I can't come up with something. I took a can of
> machine oil and let a few drops run down the shift lever shaft into the
> console but don't know if this will help or not. It appeared to be
> better after this but the wife says that it is still sticking. Your
> help will be greatly appreciated as always!
I did *exactly* the same thing on my Wife's Acura. I spilled a coke that
went into the passenger side seat belt buckle. I was able to clean up
the mess on the seat and the console but didn't really think much about
the seat belt. Then the first time I drove the car with the wife in the
pass. seat the belt wouldn't engage into the buckle. First it wouldn't
go in at all, then with a little force it went in but wouldn't buckle,
then it would buckle but was harder'n hell to get unbuckled. It's just
NOW starting to work right again. Hey, it was on HER side of the car. If
we had a wreck it was SHE that would get killed!!! ;^)
Oil won't clean it up. But a simple solution of plain old water will.
The soda has a ton of sugar in it and it's water soluable. Time will
also clear it up, but with a shifter I don't know if you want to wait
the 6-8 months that it took for my sealt belt buckle to clear up.
Try water.
Preacher
Bill Anderson
Wayne <gwc...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<6g9esm$r...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
> My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
> large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
> have a '95 TA A4 transmission. She tried to clean it up on the exterior
> but down inside the console, it must be all around the shifting stick
> because it is now sticking and difficult to get out of park after
> sitting for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Any
> recommendations on how to take the console off and clean it out inside?
> Easy, difficult? Any long term harm expected. I may have to take it
> into the dealer if I can't come up with something. I took a can of
> machine oil and let a few drops run down the shift lever shaft into the
> console but don't know if this will help or not. It appeared to be
> better after this but the wife says that it is still sticking. Your
> help will be greatly appreciated as always!
I clean the gear range indicator regularly so I have experience getting the
console off. I own a 94 Z-28 but I don't expect the Firebird to be much
different. First, remove the retaining clip that holds the shift knob in
place (use needle nose pliers to get it out). Then lift off the knob and
put it aside. Next remove the retaining screws for the console. Two
should be inside the storage tray, the others are in the front of the
console. Pull off the console and you should be able to clean inside
there. You can also disassemble the gear range indicator and clean all
that stuff up too. Do you have a selectable first gear? If you do then
ignore this but if you don't now is the time to rectify that. Pull the
shift lever all the way back until it hits the plastic stop. Then move the
lever forward and saw off the plastic stop and the lever will now go into
first gear. Good luck.
Bill
w...@gate.net
ane...@rocketmail.com
In article <6g9esm$r...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>,
gwc...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
> My wife has just gotten back from a trip during which she spilled a
> large Dr. Pepper into the center console all around the shift lever. I
> have a '95 TA A4 transmission. She tried to clean it up on the exterior
> but down inside the console, it must be all around the shifting stick
> because it is now sticking and difficult to get out of park after
> sitting for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Any
> recommendations on how to take the console off and clean it out inside?
> Easy, difficult? Any long term harm expected. I may have to take it
> into the dealer if I can't come up with something. I took a can of
> machine oil and let a few drops run down the shift lever shaft into the
> console but don't know if this will help or not. It appeared to be
> better after this but the wife says that it is still sticking. Your
> help will be greatly appreciated as always!
>
The best thing IMHO about the '98 Firebirds is that the cup holder is much
deeper than in the other 4th generation Firebirds. Forget about the aluminum
LS1 engine and more macho body styling.... I like to have a soda or cup of
coffee in the car with me while I'm driving and not worry about spilling it
all over my console or leather seats. The alternative in my '96 firebird is
one hand on the wheel and the other on the extra large McDonald's cup which is
still making a huge mess overflowing onto my hand. It's just a good thing I
don't have manual transmission. I don't think I could handle shifting and
trying to keep the cup from tilting over at the same time. Also if I forget
to clean the rubber thingy in the cup holder, I'm sure it will start growing a
mold garden.
I just thought it was finally high time I vented out the only negative thing
in my mind about the 4th generation firebirds. Other than that.... I love my
Trans Am!
Alec
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Christer Medin
ane...@rocketmail.com wrote:
> The best thing IMHO about the '98 Firebirds is that the cup holder is much
> deeper than in the other 4th generation Firebirds. Forget about the aluminum
Actually, the '97 consoles changed with deeper (and more functional) cup
holders; you might want to look into getting a '97 console if it's that
big of a deal :^)
GI JOHN
My friend spilled a Pepsi on my console in my 94 Firebird, here's what it
takes:
(Keep in mind that I'm talking about a Firebird!)
1. on the front of your shifter (facing the radio) there is a pin, pry it
out with a screwdriver and some pliers and remove the shifter handle
2.in the bottom of the storage compartment you should find 2 bolts, take em
out
3. also look under the stereo to see if the console is bolted down there
too
4.remove the light from the compartment, you should be able to un-attach
the little plastic thing that holds light to the compartment so it that
you can pull the light out a little
5. take the bulb out of "socket" and remove the little plastic thing, now
the wires and the light should be able to be pushed through the hole
6. if you have any kind of traction control buttons on your console you
will have to remove them too*
*this may be a little different for your car
7. pry up the plastic "plate" that the switch is mounted in ,careful not to
scratch the plastic, and the plate should come off allowing the switch to
fall down inside the console
8. put your park brake on as far as you can, you'll see why in a minute,
and put your car in neutral or drive
9. now the console should be able to be moved a little, but don't forget to
unplug the cigarette lighter
10. now your console should come right out, if your park brake is back far
enough
CLEANING IT
1. on the underside of your console you will see 2 black bolts that hold
the gear indicator on, remove them, be sure you have hold of everything or
you won't know how it goes back together!
2. if there is anything else holding the gear indicator on, remove it too
3. make sure you know how everything goes back together and take all of the
pieces to your sink and clean them with soapy water
4. if your console needs it you can use soapy water on it too, but don't
use anything stronger cause it will make the plastic fade.
5. dry everything off real good and that's it!
Let me know how it works!
GI JOHN
Preacher <pree...@my.house.in.the.USA> wrote in article
<3528E1...@my.house.in.the.USA>...
Zapper7777
good excuse to switch to 'diet' drinks. When they spill all
that sugar won't dry out and turn 'carmel' due to all that
heat at the shifter. even WD40 can't get between the goop
and the metal.
thousands of lab rats can't be wrong!
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happy trails,,,,,,,,,,,,