1stgear

Okay - so I got tired of replacing these things at $70 a pop. After my second one broke, I decided to try my hand at repairing it before I bought another. Here are the results.

Broken tab. Plastic is very thin at the end of the tab and breaks easily.


I cut a piece of tin after mating it up with the side that wasn't broken and scoring the cuts. The center gap that accomodates the tab was cut out with a dremmel. I attached the tin with 3 small rivets.


Reattach your tab and you are ready to roll!

KNS

Where exactly is this cover found?

x50type

It's very nice but WTF is it?

Dryfly57

x50.......get right to the heart of the matter! Too funny

Bola964

You guys gotta be kidding me! It's the top switch cover on the center console, and these things DO brake easily.

Chad, this was a great solution, and I'll take a couple of the aluminum tabs if you have some to spare. I have both the top and the bottom covers broken, and couldn't justify paying $150+ for each of them at the local parts guy!

Great solution!

ble2011

I'm confused. Mines never broken and I can't seem to see how it would.

GwynnieMae

Awesome fix! I was getting tired of seeing my covers dangle about.

1stgear

I figured most people would know what a PITA this part is - but glad to hear you don't. Here's a picture of the part. And if you don't see how it can be broken, then you've never had yours out. The end part of the tab is a flimsy little piece of plastic. When it breaks, the metal retainer falls right off. If you look in my first picture, you can see the small piece of plastic that broke.

1stgear

Thanks, Bola. I didn't make any extra. If you'd like me to make you some for the bottom cover, I'd be glad to. Just PM me. I don't know if this fix will work on the top cover as mine wasn't broken.

pp000830

I have had good experience using the ABS plumbers cement to reattach broken off interior trim/part tabs. It is not really a glue more of a solvent jell that melts the plastic and allows it to fuse back together. I have had success using it on my 2001 Jetta and my daughter's 2000 New Beetle where interior trim and switches are designed to break when removed for servicing.

Andy :-)

x50type

!stgear.

I repeat -- It's very nice but WTF is it?

Would a description and photo be too much trouble?

Never mind - i'm over it.

1stgear

Chill out, man. First off, the original post states that it's a switch plate cover in the title. How many of those are there in these cars - 2. And I guess you must be blind, because I posted a frontal view of the switch plate after I read your first post. If you don't know what I'm talking about after seeing that picture, I can't help you.

Livefreeandrive

Mine is broken and this is promising, THANKS!

CarreraX

I guess Im lucky. Ive had mine out a few times and never broke it. BTW, I also didn't know what it was until the full frontal was shown.

1stgear

The funny thing is that mine just broke. I didn't even take it out. I just hopped in the car one day and they cover was popped up on one side. When I tried to push it down, it wouldn't stay put. After removing it, I found the metal securing tab laying inside of the console with the broken plastic bit inside.