Need a little help with removing the OBC light bar

[DaveInLA]

I've read a lot of DIY's and write-ups, as well as searched through the numerous posts about this matter, but I'm still stuck; I can't actually get the light bar off the OBC.

I've removed the side panel in the glovebox and I'm one screw (on the bottom) away from being able to pry the dash forward to access the OBC completely (that bottom screw on the left side is a b-tch to get out!). So far, I can see the light bar easily from the glovebox, but I can't get it out. I keep on reading about using needlenose pliers to "slide" it out, but no matter what I do, it's still stuck on. Which way does it slide out? I tried pinching those 2 clips on the sides, but it still won't move. When I try yanking at it, all I get is broken bits of plastic. What am I doing wrong?

[DaveInLA]

Okay, it seems that the thing I was yanking on was the coding plug, not the light bar. I've since figured out how to get that off. However, now I realize that I broke off bits of the coding plug. what us the coding plug for? My OBC works fine as far as I can tell, even though I took off parts of the circuit board on the coding plug (including a tiny piece of metal). Shoudl I be worried?

[DaN]

If everything works dont be worried.
If not, get a new coding plug.

[Mysticguy]

How did you finally get the light bar out? I need to replace mine too.
I was advised to take out the radio and get the screws out from there?

[DaveInLA]

How did you finally get the light bar out? I need to replace mine too.
I was advised to take out the radio and get the screws out from there?

I read a lot of writeups, but for my sorry butt, it wasn't perfectly clear because there were no great pics. maybe I didn't search hard enough. Anyway, here's my best shot.

Remove the panel on the left wall inside the glove box. You'll first need to undo the straps holding the glove box and remove the screws holding in the ceiling of the glove box. this is pretty easy. At this point, you'll be able to feel the back of the OBC, but you won't be able to access the light bar. You'll feel/see some white strip, but that's the coding plug, not the light bar-- don't tug on that like I did.

Next, take out the 2nd and 4th inserts (there are 4) above the radio. Mine has 2 blanks, 1 emergency flasher switch, 1 rear defrost switch. It doesn't matter what your 2nd and 4th are, take them out. No need to disconnect any wires if there are any. Inside each vacated slot, you'll see a screw. Remove it.

Yank off the knobs that control the ventilation (there are 3). I'm not talking about the fan dial-- leave that in. Just pry off the 3 things that you grip when adjusting how much air you want in the cabin, the footwell, windshield... Then use a screwdriver and pull off the plate directly behind it. Remove the 4 screws you now see.

Finally, at the very bottom of the center dash panel, there is one screw on each side. You won't be able to see it, but you can feel it. (I don't know if you have to do this, but I did it and it probably makes it easier)-- remove the screw on the right side. You should use a short screwdriver, but if you don't have any of those, be resourceful and use a screwdriver bit and a tiny wrench. Now you're almost there.

From behind the OBC (thru glove box), push the back of the OBC. The whole panel will move forward, but it's still held in by one screw that's difficult to get off w/o that short screwdriver. Don't worry about that.

From the side of the right side of the OBC, you'll see a small white thing that says "... ZIEHEN/PULL". that's the lightbar. You won't be able to pull it out until you free the OBC. There's one screw holding the OBC to the panel you just moved-- undo that screw and kind of gently separate the OBC from that panel. It'll still be attached, but you'll free it enough to grab the lightbar with needlenose pliers.