It is very simple. In the center of the holder when is pulled out as far as it will go, use a srewdriver blade to push down the tab. The cup holder will now pull out.
If you need to just remove the tray from the front console, there is a spring loaded button on the top side in the center of the tray, at the back, just push down
Their are 2 tabs at the top of the cup/ashtray tray, pull the tray out to the fully locked position and use a flat object to hold down the tabs so that they clear the back side of the inside of the instrument panel. I used a screw driver, held one down, pulled slightly on that side of the tray, then held the other tab down and the whole tray came out. You will also have to twist the ash tray ligh bulb and wire to free the tray completely.
cup holder
If the cupholder on the 2002 Windstar is the same as the 2001 then there is a small plastic clip on the top of the cupholder that locks in a groove when the cupholder is in the out position. Push the clip down with a small screwdriver and pull the cupholder out. (This works on a 1998 Windstar, also.) If you don't have to remove the housing for the cupholder et al, You can remove just the sliding part by reaching under it when its open and there is a small tang that you have to push down (towards the floor) and it will slide out Remove the center console (4 plastic screws. remove the center instrument panel trim (snaps off, but be careful not to break it.) remove 2 ashtray mounting bolts on the front (behind the trim you removed) open the ashtray to expose 2 mounting bolts under the ashtray, remove the light tray light (from underneath, it snaps off, and pull the ashtray ouy the front. (Sounds a lot harder than it is.
remove the cup holder and ashtray assemly ther are two small screws facing upwards remove them and it will come out There're more! Unplug the light of the trash tray, remove tray. Loosen two upward BOLTs at the back. Draw the stereo partially, then fully remove the bolts with hand. Afterwards, remove the stereo.
You have to remove the battery and tray to get access to the reservoir.
push down on the top metal cover thingy and pull out, super easy
If its a newer car, their might not be an ash tray..
Check underneath of the battery box.. Take out battery and remove the box/tray that holds it.. It should be in plain view there...
stock oem or after market radio all radios have diff. keys. but you can remove the whole thing by pulling the plastic bezzel around the radio, pop. then you see all the screws. remove them and out it comes. remove ash tray and its holder see more screws.
if it is a series III - remove two screws at the bottom of the armrest. pull out ash tray. remove screw in the middle of the ash tray holder. pull up on armrest, it should pop up, then pull it out start at bottom right of door and start popping out the plastic clips (all the way around the door) (remove speaker wires) push up door panel - DONE
You can find info on this at FordF150.net. Go to the Forum section, then search and type in "ashtray." Then look through forum. There is one there on the second page with photos. Look for post from Japacas under the heading "Ashi tray fix."