the ashtray on my 2004 c230k wont close on the left side? what can i do to fix this and avoid going to the costly dealership? your help is always greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

remove it and look at it. do you mean the ashtray in the middle in front of the shifter? pull up the trim around the shifter then the ashtray has clips in the front, on the left and right. pull back clips with pocket screw driver and pull out ashtray.