My '86 245 is in my steep driveway, with the parking brake pulled all the way up with both hands by my 19y/o son. The pawl has slipped down behind the teeth and is locked in. Yes, I know, the adjustment had gotten a little loose. Anyway, I cannot access the 17mm nut that is the accessed through the ashtray opening because it is turned down at such an angle to not be able to get anything but an open end wrench on it to loosen it and be able to bring that pawll back up. No swing room with the open end. I want to take of the plastic console to give me better access.
I have removed the 2 screws that go through the seat belt braces, and have pushed in the two white plastic connectors on either side of the console. It seems there is something else holding it. Is that correct? My Bently doesn't give any help here. Anyone here know how to take off this console without breaking it?

 

There is a little notch in front of the console and you have to push from the ashtray location in order to move the console enough to clear the little metal lip holding the front of the console.....

I hope that is what you were referring to....

HAYNES INSTRUCTIONS:
1: Remove ashtray and pry out the insert
2: Push out the seat belt warning light and rear courtesy light an disconnect the wiring
3: Pry out and disconnect the seat heating pad switches(if equipped)
4: Slide both front seats forward as far as they will go and remove the screws from the rear sides of console
5: Lift the console rear edge up, slide it forward off the notch at the front and lift the console up over the parking brake
6: On some models, the console must be detached from the seat belt mounts

 

our 240 had the same thing happen, lever stuck up... I was able to brute force pull the lever even HIGHER while pushing the button to get the pawl back to where it needs to be.

 

Thanks, all for your help. I tried the brute force method with the 19y/o brute that pulled it up in the first place; no luck untill I was able to remove the console and loosen the adjusting bolts to give some slack.