I only found 1 or two threads over several years old about replacing the 12v outlet cover and I feel like I sarcastically read the whole console needs to be taken out to replace it.

I've tried prying it out, but I feel like I'm gonna break the console plastic. Any tips on popping out the outlet to switch out the cover? If console disassembly is actually necessary, how do I do it?

photo attached of what's broken and needs to be replaced.

 

I'd look on ebay for a rubber plug and call it a day. I suspect that the whole console would need to be taken apart to fix that.

 

Can you take a pic of the sides as best you can? For the column shift consoles, that whole back/rear panel just pops out as you pry it off. There's 4 tabs holding it in place at the corners. Haven't worked with the floor shift consoles, but the rear part of it almost looked somewhat similar in the way it might be removed.

 

I think I found the easiest solution. There's probably an alternative to buying this tool but I really don't want to break something. I tried with two screwdrivers last night and still wasn't working right.

http://www.freedomracing.com/501-039...UvIaAhec8P8HAQ

 

not a bad idea.

This one's even cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262878100832

 

I found the same on Amazon....gotta take advantage of Prime! Hopefully it works well. I figured there would be more people having the same problem as I (I never have many back seat passengers and my dog has only been back there a few times).

Hopefully this will help anyone searching in the future.

 

So what does your dog use the 12v outlet for anyway?

But seriously folks, those pop-out tools work well.

 

I did not know such a tool existed. My girlfriend fried the power port under the climate control with an inverter that overheated.

I ordered the Ford specific one you linked above. That site has a Ford and Chevy one, the cheaper alternative is a Chevy tool made by Dorman. Not sure if there is a difference, but if it works, I can careless about the extra $10. That's worth to just not to tear the dash apart.

 

Looks easy enough to make...