When I bought my 1999 Audi A6 Quattro last year it was missing the front cover of the ashtray. The ashtray is installed under the heater controls in the dashboard directly in front of the gear selector. I didn't think much of it at the time but it irks me that the ashtray will not close. When I push it in it comes back out, it feels spring loaded. Is the missing front cover mandatory in order to keep the ash try closed? Any clues?

 

I have the same problem...anyone know if you need to buy the whole assembly?

 

Bump! (I have the same problem)

 

There is a spring that controls the opening and closing of the ashtray. Something is either broken causing it not to close or stuck in the mechanism making it not close. The faceplate has nothing to do with the opening closing of the ashtray. As far as i know you have to get the whole ashtray with lighter socket. However the face from the old ashtray is transfered to the new one.