Anyone replaced heater control panel in BJ8?

[Wana]

Has anyone replaced their heater control panel, where it says "Cold Air and Air From Heater"? I see you can buy new ones and mine is showing its age. I'm wondering what is involved and how difficult the job is.

Thanks!

 

[Keoke]

Hi Wanna,yes I have done that thing, it is not as difficult as it is ticky.Pay very close attention to the spacers and fibre washers that make up the assy.If just the plastic part is being replaced that is rather straight forward. Console must be out.--FWIW---Keoke

WANNA! Yes the console must be removed and all the knobs you mentioned--Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Wana]

Thanks, Keoke. Yes, it is just the plastic part. Do I need to pull the console out to replace just that piece? If not, how do I get the old one out and the new one in? Is it held in place from behind? Do I have to take the cold air and warm air "Pull" and "Push knobs out? I'm going to replace their knob ends as well as the "Heater Boost" knob on the Min Max slider.

 

[GregW]

Hi Wana,
There maybe tricks I don’t know, but here’s how I would do it. Disconnect the battery. Remove the armrest and lower console (the part around the gear shifter). Unscrew the 5 switches and let them hang (I think it’s easier to work with them out of the way). Remove the Cold Air and Heater knobs and their cables. There are 2 vertical bolts that hold the control assembly to the console (see photo) that need to be loosened then the assembly should slide towards the front of the car. There is a cable that attaches to the temperature slider that may also need to be disconnected. It’s definitely tight in there, do yoga before attempting.