Curiosity: removing the bridge console

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GasSaver1, Feb 10, 2013.

  1. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    Has anyone ever totally removed the bridge console? Not to bypass persay- maybe having to change or repair something that required it. I am wondering if there is a how to. My recent adventure of changing a panel really took me down that far but I was stumped at how to remove the entire thing.
     
    #1 GasSaver1, Feb 10, 2013
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I looked it up on alldatadiy.com (subscription required). Many plastic latches and tabs, starting with the bezel around the gear selector itself. Not a threaded fastener in sight.
    You *really* want to have diagrams to work from to understand where all of the things are.
     
    #2 css28, Feb 10, 2013
  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    #3 frodoz737, Feb 10, 2013
  4. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Sky bridge console removal.JPG OP: you start by prying up carefully on the left edge of the gearshift plate or "integration control and panel assembly" (dark color). Next, you pry gently and carefully up on the lower center instrument cluster finish panel sub-assembly. Start at the cupholder and work it up along the thin edge until the top section can be pulled upwards. BE SURE NOT TO BREAK THIS PIECE! Then it is possible to pry off the bezel for the radio/NAV (instrument cluster finish panel garnish). You are now inside that console should you need to replace/repair something.

    Careful - don't break any of the stab-lock connectors!
     
    #4 phoenixgreg, Feb 10, 2013
  5. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    I did all that before and I then removed the AC control unit, the shifter, the bracket the shifter was connected to, the cup holder...... all I was left with was the radio still in place and the plastic panels in the under part of he "bridge" but still couldnt remove those panels.

    So there was still quite a bit of "bridge" left and I was stumped
     
    #5 GasSaver1, Feb 10, 2013
  6. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    Ok here is why I ask- recently I had to replace the plastic panel circled in red. The main issue was that the edge in orange was under the plastic panel that runs under the bridge. The rest of the edges are somewhat easy to uncover and I did exactly what was pictured above: I started at the cup holder and pulled that out. Then the plastic panel around the shifter; then the plastic piece around the ac control and radio; then the plastic panel around the start button.

    Then I couldnt figure out how to get the orange edge exposed so I removed the ac control unit, then the shifter itself.
    Next I took off the shifter bracket which was screw down in a few places on top and 2 bolts that were in back of the bridge (behind the cup holder). I still could not get the plastic panel under the bridge disengaged but the bridge was somewhat looser so grabbing under the cup holder area I was able to lift the bridge up slightly which gave just enough slack at the orange area to get the lip of the panel I wanted to change out.

    I wish I knew the correct way of doing it though.

    [​IMG]
     

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    #6 GasSaver1, Feb 10, 2013
  7. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    So you want to take out the bridge console completely? The lower area (cupped) is integrated into the dash. The only reason to go further would be to access the evaporator coil?
     
    #7 phoenixgreg, Feb 10, 2013
  8. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    I just checked my manual and could not locate any area that describes how to remove that piece. FYI - they refer to it as the lower instrument cluster.
     
    #8 phoenixgreg, Feb 10, 2013
  9. GasSaver1

    GasSaver1 Member

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    I messed that panel up..... an oem replacement was only like $40 but I had a hell of a time getting it in :/
    I installed a button there to engage or disengage my pedestrian warning system but initially when I pried the button cap out of that panel I really messed it up so I had to replace it.
     
    #9 GasSaver1, Feb 10, 2013
  10. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Low bridge console.jpg I found this in my files...it shows how to remove the low bridge console but maybe it gives clues on how to remove the bridge itself. Sorry to hear the plastic got messed up.
     
    #10 phoenixgreg, Feb 11, 2013
    rrg and frodoz737 like this.
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