DIY remove waterfall and auto shifter... by KimberKenobi

8 minute read

DIY remove waterfall and auto shifter... (2008)

Compliments of KimberKenobi @ forums.swedespeed.com

3-31-2012

So this weekend I ended up pulling apart the waterfall due to a malfunction with the blind in the shifter... If you're thinking "what is a blind in the shifter?" never fear, I didn't know what it was called either. But when it decides to muck things up, it really effs with your Volvo's world...

So the shifter wouldn't go into park... made for an interesting day until we could start pulling things apart..

The tools I used were:

2 flat head (one small, one large) for wedging pieces apart

T20

T25

pocket knife

So as stated in an earlier thread (and most of this first part is going to be exactly the same but the newer models are a bit different)...

Step 1 is to unhook the green connector from behind the waterfall then you can pull this panel off from behind the waterfall (really do those in whichever order you prefer). I wrapped a washcloth over the bigger flathead and pryed until I could reach my finger under, then just pull it away. Repeat prying it on the other side.

Step 2 remove this nifty little panel from around the e-brake

Step 3 open the armrest and remove the 2 torx screws

Step 4 pull the trim (and cupholder cover) just straight up off, only thing connecting it are tabs. Between the armrest and the cupholder area there's a piece which stretches down into the console and takes some wiggling and patience to get out (or back in). Toward the front there's the connector for the 12-V (note: not much slack with this, so be careful)

Step 5 you have now revealed the front screws! Which is the easiest part of these screws lol

The one on the passenger's side is lower, you can get it an an angle but be careful not to strip it. The one on the driver's side is so close to the trim for the console that it actually get stuck against the trim unless you have a second person physically force the trim up and out of the way - even still, you've got to get some small fingers in there to coax the screw out and pull it free... I did not put that screw back in because there was no possible way to do it. Have fun with that - I will note that the waterfall doesn't rattle so, no big loss.

Step 6 remove the plate around the radio unit. I tried this with the screwdriver, kept scratching up the plastic so I switched to the knife which was a better tool IMNSHO.

Step 7 remove the screen. It slides out, but takes some persuasion. Just push from behind and wiggle until it slides forward. Unclip the white and black connectors (don't worry about which came from where, they are not only different shapes but the corresponding female connectors are color-coded as well). Also interesting note - should you need to drive anywhere at this point, you'll have no guages or other dash information and no air circulation.

Step 8 (possibly optional) I removed the shelf thingy from behind the waterfall - I felt it gave me more wiggling room. just pull up from the middle (there's a hole you can put your finger through) then pry each of the rear corners where indicated.

Step 9 pull the waterfall toward you and just gently wiggle it free. To note, there's a rubber bib that you'll need to tuck in upon reinstall.

This is where we change to removing the shifter:

Step 1 is removing the automatic shift knob. The collar at the bottom screws off to drop down (it screws the opposite way) and then just pull straight up on the knob... no really - this is tug-of-war with your car. It won't break, but you must win to advance. To note: when putting it back on, place the collar onto the knob near the very bottom then just slam it back into place - if you don't put the collar back at the bottom of the shifter (as I stated, loosely - don't screw it into place yet) then you won't get it back to where it goes. Then you screw the collar back up and voila!

Just wiggle this (starting from the front) and it'll come free easily.

Step 2 gently pry up the circuit board. Start where indicated, so the other back corner, then just gently lift it off.