OK, this is not the most demanding of faults but it's beginning to get on the old nerves:(

How do you stop the front centre console ashtray in a superb elegance popping open every time you go over a very slightly rough road surface? Is there an adjustment tweak to be made and if so, how?

Had to drive 150 miles today over less than smooth surfaces and the little lid was going up and down like a yo-yo :(

Anyone any ideas? Superglue sales reps need not reply.

Thanks

Try gluing a small piece of foam between two contact points to stop it from moving when shut

Try gluing a small piece of foam between two contact points to stop it from moving when shut

Thanks for that:thumbup: Guess what tomorrow's little task is going to be? Btw, where are the 2 contact points:confused:

It shouldn't come open, mine never has, if your car is under warranty get them to fix it. otherwise you probably need to take it all out and check the mechanism, make sure everythings tight and theres no slack.

It shouldn't come open, mine never has, if your car is under warranty get them to fix it. otherwise you probably need to take it all out and check the mechanism, make sure everythings tight and theres no slack.

Mine has never done this!?!?!

Are we talking about the ashtray or the drawer under the stereo if you have one?

I've had both the front and back ashtrays replaced under warranty.

My kids like to kick the back one, but the front one was just plain irritating. The garage said that they had come across this a number of times!

Just one of the many things to go wrong with my Superb(!) I'll post a full list shortly 'cause I'd like to see if my experiences are unusually bad, or am I picky! :)

Thanks for the comments so far:thumbup:

1. it's just out of warranty

2. yes it's the ashtray, not the drawer between the symphony and the climatic

3. took out the ash bit (it's where I keep the wheel locking nut!) and the remaining ratchet mechanism looks a no go area:eek: There must be a strong spring in there somewhere. My initial thought was there might be a little magnetic strip to hold it closed but doesn't appear to be one - it seems as if there is a complex (to me ) counterbalance arrangement.

4. Helpful neighbour suggests sticking small velcro strip inside to take the pressure off the counterbalance mechanism. His ned 8 year old offered some plasticine to stick it closed:eek:

Any other thoughts gratefully received

3. took out the ash bit (it's where I keep the wheel locking nut!)

Any other thoughts gratefully received

Might it be the wheel nut rolling around inside triggering the release

Have you pulled off the fascia that surrounds the radio/bits drawer/heater switch etc? just pull it from the bottom, you may be able to access it from there? - Just a thought.

On a long holiday my kids kicked the rear ashtray so often that it wouldn't stay shut,so I removed the spring that opens it and its fine now. Just needs pushing at the bottom to get it open, but thats not a problem.

You're right about the complexity of the mechanism, its amazingly well engineered for an ahtray!

My Superb being a taxi, I removed the ashtray from the rear as I got fed up with dirty scrotes kicking it open then standing on it, I bought a new replacement but haven't put it in. it's really in a very stupid place to be honest, just where everyones feet go!!

Had the same problem myself with the front ashtray coming open.I had it replaced under warranty.It was bloody annoying when it used to spring open every 2 minutes!!

Sorted;) (after a fashion:rofl: )

2 postage stamp sized pieces of Velcro (colour co-ordinated!) glued to lid and base in line with cigar lighter seems to have done the trick!

Off now to undertake comprehensive road test. After which I may call the dreaded Customer Services at my insurance company to advise that I now have a Superb Elegance with a mod.........

Thanks for all the ideas and experiences.

I had this problem also, my dealer was helpful in replacing the unit under warrenty but the new one was far far worse - wished I hadn't asked for it to be looked at. The mechanic said they need a good push to shut and there is a special technique required to shut them . They offered to order another if it continued to cause me a problem.

Drove me mad so I looked at the problem my self.

Removing the ashtray unit (complete with flap etc) from the car I found that the tray would latch first time every time - whereas when refitted in car it would latch sometimes and not others half latching that was causing the tray to open when going over bumps.

I found the resolution was to remove the gear suround (Mines an auto)and then remove the two screws that hold the piece of trim in place that the tray shuts against . These screws are not refitted and are not really required as the gear lever trim when reffitted holds the trim in palce thet the scews were removed from.

This allows the tray to go down slighty futher down when closed and allows it to latch fully. Now it never opens unexpectedly and closes with the lightest of closes.

John

I found the resolution was to remove the gear suround (Mines an auto)and then remove the two screws that hold the piece of trim in place that the tray shuts against . These screws are not refitted and are not really required as the gear lever trim when reffitted holds the trim in palce thet the scews were removed from.

This allows the tray to go down slighty futher down when closed and allows it to latch fully. Now it never opens unexpectedly and closes with the lightest of closes.

John

Thanks for the tip In the event of Velcro systems failure, I may resort to your solution.

Mine is also auto and it's virtually impossible to remove or replace the ash container when the shift lever is in 'P':eek: . Net result is that you have to run the engine to empty the ash tray.:( I think they must have designed that bit on a Friday afternoon.

Theres a few other bits that seem like they were designed on a friday afternoon too, shame really, cos there such nice cars otherwise!

Had the same problem and shall explore all the solutions explained above - still better than paying

I have a proper solution to this problem please read on!

The problem is generally caused by the spring loaded locking jaws who's job is to clamp shut onto a protruding lug and hold the flap shut. This removable rectangular plastic box unit, is fairly small, easy to get to and easy to remove, and looks as though it is worth approximately 10 to 20p. Skoda do not sell this part separately so until now you would of had to have to bought a full ashtray unit approx

OK, this is not the most demanding of faults but it's beginning to get on the old nerves:(

How do you stop the front centre console ashtray in a superb elegance popping open every time you go over a very slightly rough road surface? Is there an adjustment tweak to be made and if so, how?

Had to drive 150 miles today over less than smooth surfaces and the little lid was going up and down like a yo-yo :(

Anyone any ideas? Superglue sales reps need not reply.

Thanks

On the other side of the coin how do you open the blo0dy thing

(rhetorical question)

Jenks

I have a proper solution to this problem please read on!

Ye gods, it's 2 years since I posted my little problem

Thanks for the detailed explanation tho. Can you pop round on Thurs and do the necessary

Don't worry if you can't - my dainty pieces of velcro are still doing their job

Rather than remove the jaws from the bin best to contact customer services at Brabantia.com and ask for a new locking spring. They should send you one complete with white plastic tweezers to remove the old one, but you shouldn't really need to use the tweezers.

I had the same prob with my 02 superb, only had to put slight pressure on the side of the centre console with my leg for the ash tray to pop up, as it was out of warranty, I was given the impression that you had to replace the whole ash tray to stop the problem, lots of failed attempts of mods to the mechanism and due to the fact I never use the ash try I removed the spring the controls the opening, all you have to do then is push the top of the ash tray to open it. suits me fine this way as it less annoying than it popping up when it wants!

wishing id never bought this over priced piece of poo....

hafd ashtray replaced and it still does it unless i carry around a fivers worth of copper in it, hunk o'junk, vry displeased with my purchase, engine management light still on etc, any offers?....