Front Armrest Cup Holder Tray Will Not Stay Closed (Replace Upper Guidance Plate)

Some customers may comment that the front armrest cup holder tray will not stay closed.

This condition may be caused by the cup holder tray release button spring pivot breaking.

A new service part has been released to eliminate complete armrest replacement for this condition. Replace the upper guidance plate, P/N 9199923 (beige) or P/N 9199924 (charcoal) using the following procedure.

1. Tilt the armrest to the vertical position.



2. From the underside of the armrest, position the cup holder tray to locate screw (1) through the first or second cup holder opening. Remove this screw.
3. Return the armrest to the horizontal position.





4. Remove the cushion of the armrest by prying a thin edged tool at one side and push the tool downward to release some of the retaining clips. Pry your fingers into the opening and pull upwards to remove the cushion.

Caution: Failure to have the cup holder tray in its most extended position when separating the upper and lower guidance plates will result in a rapid release of the coil spring possibly causing personal injury or damage to the cup holder components.




5. Ensure the cup holder tray is fully extended to the out-most position and the locking tab (1) is engaged.
6. Remove the seven screws securing the upper guidance plate.
7. Remove the upper guidance plate from the lower guidance plate.



8. Remove the cup holder tray from the upper guidance plate.

8.1.	Slide out the cup holder tray from the locking tab.

8.2.	Tilt the cup holder tray, then lift away from the upper guidance plate.

9. Install the cup holder tray to the new upper guidance plate.




9.1.	Engage the edge of the cup holder tray with the upper guidance plate and position as shown.





9.2.	Engage the cup holder tray back into place against the upper guidance plate. Ensure that the two parts are completely engaged.





9.3.	Slide the cup holder tray to the fully extended position. Ensure that the cup holder tray locking tab is engaged.




10. Position the new upper guidance plate, with extended cup holder tray attached, on the lower guidance plate out of center as shown.

Important: You must proceed exactly as follows to ensure correct engagement of the coil spring at the lower guidance plate.




11. The right edge of the upper guidance plate MUST SIT ON TOP OF AND BE IN LINE WITH THE OUTER RIGHT EDGE of the lower guidance plate.
12. The upper guidance plate MUST ALSO BE FORWARD OF ITS NORMAL POSITION. At this position a gap will appear between the lower guidance plate and the upper guidance plate at the left and rear edges.



13. With your left hand, fix the two plates in this position as shown.
14. Note that the right rear edge of the cup holder tray will touch the guide of the lower guidance plate at its right front end.
15. With your right hand, grab the front of the cup holder tray. Lift the cup holder tray slightly so that it moves out of the tab lock (as explained above) and allows its rear to drop into alignment with the right guide of the lower plate. The cup holder tray will now fit with the guide.
16. Move the upper guidance plate with fixed cup holder tray backwards until it fits into the lower guidance plate.
17. The edges of upper guidance plate should be in line with the edges of the lower plate.
18. With the upper guidance plate now correctly positioned, the cup holder tray will be in its normal extended position.



19. With the cup holder tray still fully extended, reinstall the seven screws in the proper sequence to secure the upper guidance plate.
20. Functionally check the cup holder tray by retracting and releasing it several times. If it operates satisfactorily, continue with the procedure. If not, disassemble and reinstall.
21. With the cup holder tray retracted fully, reinstall the cushion by pressing it back into place. Check to ensure that it is completely attached to the upper guidance plate by all of the clips.
22. Tilt the armrest to the vertical position.
23. Press the cup holder tray release once to extend the tray to the first position.
24. Reinstall the screw through the first cup holder opening to the armrest cushion.
25. Close the cup holder tray and return the armrest to the horizontal position.
26. Check the function of the cup holder tray several times to ensure that nothing binds or malfunctions.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: