GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I went to put a writing pen into the little bin located at the rear of the center console. Low and behold, the darn thing went BEHIND the bin and inside of the console. Do any of you know how to take off that thing so I can take out the pen before it possibly causes problems in there?I bet you don't, but thanks anyway.

I'm assuming you're referring to the bin underneath the shifter column. as I can't figure out what the rear bin of the console is...To remove the shifter bin, you just give it a yank, it should pop right out...

yeah, mine falls out with just a slight touch from time to time

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I'm talking about the plastic that wraps all the way around the rear of where the shifter is located. The pop-out bin you mention attaches - or fits inside - this plastic.

quote:I'm talking about the plastic that wraps all the way around the rear of where the shifter is located. The pop-out bin you mention attaches - or fits inside - this plastic.I got ya now...How'd you manage to get a pen back there??? LOL!!!

Do you have an Automatic? I can't figure out where this part is off hand. I have the 6-speed and I might not have this gap.

I put the pen in without looking and it just plain went in one of those little holes behind the bin. I could see it at first and while attempting to get it out it fell all the way in. Can't even see it now, but I know it's there.I removed the bin and see one little screw in there. I started to remove it, but stopped because I can't be sure but that it might be holding something on the other side. It's probably okay to remove that screw, but I'm not taking the chance without first knowing for a fact that I won't be causing further trouble.

When I first got my car, the plastic that wraps around the shifter console was loose on the passenger's side -- it wasn't clipped in under the dash at the passenger's feet.When I had my car in at the dealership, they just put it back in. I don't know how, really, but I would think that if you can get one of those clips loose on the side, you should be able to retrieve your pen.

Yes, I have the automatic.

Oh, ok, I think I get it now. I am thinking that you mean the hidden compartment that is built in the console right below the shifter. This compartment should come out pretty easily for you to retrieve your pen.

quote: I am thinking that you mean the hidden compartment that is built in the console right below the shifter. This compartment should come out pretty easily for you to retrieve your pen. LOL! Yeah - you got it right. That compartment or bin does come out easily. Do me a favor, though, will you? Remove that little compartment in your Vibe, take a look at what you see, and then tell me how to get my pen out of there.

This is so funny... I was thinking of your post as I was driving home tonight. I pulled out the bin to see what exactly is back there. I stick my finger into one of the holes ... and feel a pen. Mine was standing upright (I have no idea how long it was in there ... I haven't seen that pen in a long time), so it was easy to get at.Your pen must be "lying down" and thus harder to retrieve? The only way to get at it (I think) is to get the side wall of plastic off ... how, I'm not sure.

LOL, you guys are great magicians. To get the pen to jump from behind one car's console to behind another car's console so far away. I'm calling David Copperfield, he's gotta try this one.

quote:The only way to get at it (I think) is to get the side wall of plastic off ... how, I'm not sure.Last night I removed that one screw mentioned in an earlier post. Still couldn't budge that thing no matter how much tugging and pulling I did. Suggestions are welcome.

I looked at it and didn't see how to get it off. The sides of it are pretty flexible, did you try to work your hand up between the carpet and the console from the side?Do you have an auto or manual trans.? I remember a thread where they talked about removing the flexible shift cover by pushing the edges towards the shift lever, to tighten something on the manual shift, but none of the searches I did could find the thread. Maybe if you take that off you can see down to the inside part of the console you need. What kind of pen.? can you fish it out with a magnet?

quote:This is so funny... I was thinking of your post as I was driving home tonight. I pulled out the bin to see what exactly is back there. I stick my finger into one of the holes ... and feel a pen. Mine was standing upright (I have no idea how long it was in there ... I haven't seen that pen in a long time), so it was easy to get at.Cute! I bet that half of these other folks have lost pens or other stuff in there, too. They just don't know it yet.By the way... I give up.

quote:If you show up to the Vibe meet in Fenton, let a few of us take a crack at it for ya. You gotta be shi*in' me. None of you knows any more than me about how to get to that pen. And I'm gonna let you monkey with my car? You show me on YOUR car how to get to it!

Sorry, my friend. I was just kidding with you, as I assumed you were kidding with me. You were, weren't you? Maybe not, huh? Oh well, I expect to be in Fenton for the gathering. We'll practice on YOUR car.

quote:I would have a long skinny metal probe with a claw at the end... I am sure that would get it... Tried it. Won't do it. At least the one I have won't do it. By quirking my neck around about 170 degrees, I can see the pen WAY down in there. It doesn't seem to be in the way of anything, so it's probably in my best interests to let it be. Thanks, anyway.

Houston, if you still want your pen, figured out how to get to it, check out http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5923or better yet, ragingfish's how to at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5940