Ashtray/cup holder

[Nursesonja]

Hey Guys! and Gals!

My dog broke my ashtray/cupholder in my 2001 windstar. I ordered a new one. I took out the two screws but I can't get the assembly to budge. Does anybody know how to take it out??

[busboy4]

Hi
I have a '96, but from what I have seen online I think that our vans are similar. I think you will find that the ashtray/cup assembly is secured at the back - at the aft end of each "slider" I believe you will find that the assembly is attached to the internal dash framework. If the 01 is as similar as I think, the two screws you removed simply freed the center dash plastic trim, and you can now pull it (the plastic facing) away from the dash - it will have serveral "posts" that go into holes in the dash where they are crimped to hold them in place.
Again, I am basing this on my older van, but at the very least I am pretty confident that you will find the assembly attached at the back as I described. Getting to it is the trick.
I hope an '01 owner will jump in and give you something more concrete.

Good luck

[kerk]

I have an 01 and I just had mine out 2 weeks ago. Once you have the cup hold slid out to the stop, the catch is in the middle of the top. Slide a screwdriver or putty knife in there to pry the catch down and it will slide right out.