My ashtray lid refused to close properly so I pulled it apart. The lid sits on small plastic hinges which easily break if someone were to lean on them. This gets worse as the plastic ages. This was broken in my case - you can see the small hinges that are broken in this pic.





You can replace the whole part from e-bay (it's the same part as an XJ) but there might be some wiring to do as the plug changes over various years.

Being a bit cheap,here's what I tried:

-remove the centre console
-remove the ashtray assembly by taking out the 4 phillips screws
-remove 3 small screws on each side of the assembly
-2 screws hold in the damper gear that makes it open smoothly
-1 screw holds in the hinge
-gently pull back the sides where you removed the screws and pop the hinge out
-slide the ashtray lid out from the bottom
-(optional) remove the opener catch at the back of the assembly

...here it is all laid out:



In my case the broken hinges were not repairable with crazy glue. It looks like someone else tried. I have my doubts about the longevity of it anyhow. I drilled out the hinges with a 1/4" bit then put in a couple of machine screws through the holes. These act as hinges now (they are part of the lid and rotate with it). They are a tighter fit than the old plastic hinges, but everything is working again.

Hope this helps!

 

I ended up doing the same, except with my original lid.

I was thinking of getting a personalized plate, but Indiana isn't giving them out, until some court battle. I wanted mine to be JNKYDJAG, because everything except the chain tensioners I have gotten from a yard, or repaired myself. I'm ashamed to say even small switches, like the micro switch, in the wiper motor, and the window switches....Be cool....Mike