98 Catera ash tray wont shut

[RickwithaTbird]

My uncle just got a catera, and the ashtray wont stay shut. It is spring loaded, the spring pushes it open. Something is supposed to catch and lock it when you push it in, but there must be something missing. Does anybody know how this thing works? Like, a detailed explanation of what is supposed to catch and hold it shut. If someone could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks,

Rick

[elsavann]

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

My uncle just got a catera, and the ashtray wont stay shut. It is spring loaded, the spring pushes it open. Something is supposed to catch and lock it when you push it in, but there must be something missing. Does anybody know how this thing works? Like, a detailed explanation of what is supposed to catch and hold it shut. If someone could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks,

Rick

I had the same problem, the lock that suppose to catch is broke. there are two thing you can do. 1- buy new one it will cost about $200. 2- remove the ashtray and cut out the spring, this way the ashtray doesn't lock, but it won't kick out because there is no spring.
If you want to know how to remove ashtray, go to google and search for ( HOW TO INSTALL CATERA STEREO OR WWW.CARSTEREOHELP.COM)