96 Ford Contour Gear Shift Console

[leadpaint]

Hey,

I have a 96 Ford Contour GL with 2.5L V6.

Does anyone know how to remove the Gear shifter/Gear console?
-explaination-
The gear shift console is broken, such that, when you shift gears, the orange bar does not move with the gear shifter, leaving me to count gears as I shift. From what I can tell, it is a simple plastic piece that moves along with the shifter to align the orange bar with the correct gear. This plastic piece seems to have cracked and I need to get in there to replace it (or repair it). (Also, if you know what this part is actually called, that would be helpfull too!)

Does anyone know how to remove the Gear shifter/Gear console?

thanks,

lp

[catfish312]

heh, i have the same problem, i do know how to pop open the assembly, however not the shift nob (which you would need to get it all the way off)

it should be fixable without taking it all the way off, but no guarentees.


basically to pop it off you just need to try and reach in and get a good grip on the plastic (try to work your fingers in by the shaft) then basically just work it out. its held in by some plastic nudges, (pressure fit) the end furthest from the dash should come up first, and then the front (near the stereo) should come out.


This is also useful if you need to shift the car into neutral without turning it on, so you can push it out of the way if it dies. (just push the spring-loaded white plastic rod down, u'll see what i mean.)