How to Remove the Overhead Console in Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

The overhead console on a Vehicles resides in the ceiling between the front seats, directly above the center console. Depending on the year, model and option package of your Vehicles the overhead console can have an outside temperature gauge, a compass and one or more storage compartments Vehicles items such as glasses and garage door openers. If you need to remove the Vehicles headliner, you'll need to begin with removing the overhead console. If you have a solid sense of mechanical repair, you can remove the overhead console in a matter of minutes.

Under The Hood:

 How to Remove the Overhead Console in an Excursion

Unhook the negative (black) battery cable with your pliers. The overhead console contains electrical connections; disconnecting the negative battery cable prevents shock.

Open the sunglasses holder (the compartment closest to the front auxiliary controls). Remove the Phillips screw from inside the holder.

Disconnect the overhead console clips. Grasp the console at the rear, and pull down sharply. The clips will unhook. Provide support for the console, do not let it hang by the electrical connections.

Disconnect the electrical connections to remove the console. Squeeze the tabs on the outside of the electrical connections to disconnect them. Lower the overhead console from the headliner.

There are connections at the rear (dome light) and connections at the front (auxiliary controls).

Items you will need

  • Pliers

  • Phillips screwdriver

  • Gloves (optional)

 How to Remove the Overhead Console from a Ford Explorer

Insert the end of the trim tool between the Explorer's headliner and the rear end of the overhead console. You can buy a trim tool at most auto parts stores or other retailer selling a good variety of tools.

Pry down on the console using the trim tool to pull the rear mounting studs loose from the ceiling mounts.

Remove the trim tool and set it aside. Grab the body of the Explorer's overhead console firmly with your hands, slipping your finger tips between the console and the headliner.

Pull down on the Explorer's console to remove it from the ceiling.

Items you will need

  • Trim tool

 How to Remove the Overhead Console from a Ford F-250

Grab the sides of the overhead console with both hands. Push in on the sides, where the console touches the F-250's headliner. Pull down gently while pushing in on the sides to unseat the side clips.

Slide the trim tool between the overhead console and the F-250's headliner at the rear of the console and pry the overhead console loose from the mount.

Remove the overhead console the rest of the way by hand.

Items you will need

  • Trim tool

 How to Remove the Overhead Console in a Dodge Truck

Slide the tip of the Phillips-head screwdriver between the center console body and the left map light lens. Pry the map light lens out gently with the trim tool. Repeat on the right map light.

Remove the screws exposed by removing the map lights using your Phillips-head screwdriver.

Pry the front of the overhead console down from the ceiling gently with the trim tool. Grab the body of the overhead console and remove it from the Dodge truck's ceiling.

Items you will need

  • Trim tool

  • Phillips-head screwdriver

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