Removal and installation the center console (BMW 5 Series E39)

Removal

Unfasten the gear shift lever cover and lift it up.

Remove the hazard warning lights and central locking switches. To do this, push the foam rubber insulation to the side through the gearshift lever opening and push the switches out from the inside. Disconnect the plug connectors.

Disconnect the cigarette lighter plug through the gearshift lever hole.

Remove the heating and air conditioning control unit.

Note: Sometimes the control unit is very tightly seated. In this case, you should first remove the center console and then press the control unit from the back side.

Press the switch under the control unit. Acting through the hole for the control unit, press the switch and disconnect the plug connector.



Remove the side mats on the left and right. To do this, unscrew the "arrow" screws, move the side mats forward and unfasten them from the clamps.





Remove screws "2" and "3".



Remove the handbrake lever cover from the console at the top, tilt it forward and unfasten it from the bottom.



Loosen screw "4".

Unscrew screws "5" and "6", having first removed the plugs.

Unfasten the side cover of the handbrake lever by pulling the cover at the back at the top towards the driver's seat and removing it.





Press the rear air intake grille "1" slightly upwards, use a screwdriver to press the "arrows" on the sides and remove the cup holder or, respectively, the storage compartment "2".

Move the air supply grille down and remove it.



Remove screws "7" and "8".

Move the seats all the way back, and unscrew 2 screws on the left and right bottom of the rear side parts, having first removed the "11" plugs with a small screwdriver (fig. W-4B373).



Press aside the gear shift housing insulation and unscrew screw "9".



Unscrew screw "10".

Raise the rear centre console slightly and disconnect the plug connector of the ashtray lighting circuit located underneath. Mark the connector with a tag first.

Move both front seats, seat backs and gear shift lever or mode selector lever to the rearmost positions.



Lift the rear center console, pull it back, tilting it toward the passenger seat next to the driver, and remove it.

Installation

Place the center console in front of the passenger seat next to the driver.

Connect the handbrake switch plug under the console.

Connect the cigarette lighter plug through the gear shift lever hole.

Roughly align the center console and loosely attach it with screws:

• first with two screws on the left and right in front, after aligning the nuts from the sheet material;
• one screw under the gearshift lever insulation;
• one screw under the hazard warning light switch;
• two screws on the left and right at the rear at the height of the seat belt buckles;
• two screws at the back in the air intake grille opening.

Align the center console and tighten the mounting screws,

Secure the cover at the top of the handbrake lever and press it down. Insert and tighten the 3 screws:

• 1 screw under the handbrake lever;
• 2 screws on the sides, front and back, insert into place of the plugs.

Connect the plug connectors of the hazard warning light switches and the central locking system, press the switches into the holes.

Insert the gear shift lever insulation.

Insert the rear air intake grille and slide it upward.

Attach a shelf for things or a cup holder.

Secure the handbrake lever cover at the bottom, press it at the top and secure it.

Place the side mat on the left so that both clamps from the sheet material enter the corresponding holes, move the covering forward, press and secure with screws. Secure the side mat on the right in the same way.

Insert the plug for the switch under the heating system control unit through the hole and connect it to the switch.

Press the switch into the hole.

Install the heating and air conditioning system control unit.

Secure the gear shift boot.