ventilation faceplate

[dapplestein]

I am working on ventiliation/heating system of an '80 SC. I need to remove the faceplate where the three knobs are in the dash(fresh air/fan, fresh air direction, and heat direction). Does the plastic plate simply pry off? Or are there some hidden screws that hold it on the dash, or does the entire assembly come out and if so, how? HELP.
Also, I want to check the connection between the lever and the cable/sheath? How can I do this.
Thanks.
Don

[silverc4s]

I think you could be talking major under hood surgery here. Not real sure though. If you can't see the backside by crawling up under the dash, then you have to remove the vent system to get at it...no really sure, sorry. Somebody here will chime in in a bit that has done I am sure!..;-)

[SeaDweller]

It's not a pleasant job, but it's not hideous either. Unfortunately, the plastic bezel does not come off as a separate item. That would have made too much sense!

The entire assembly must be removed, and the easiest way is to release the cables from the fresh air box in the trunk, and pull the entire control panel with the cables attached. Believe me, it's much easier to deal with the cables in the trunk than trying to fiddle with them at the control panel.

There's a single mounting point for the control panel, that being an integrated bracket that's bolted to the firewall. If you poke your head under there, you'll see it. If you remove that bolt, the control panel assembly will be free to remove. It takes some maneuvering, but you can wiggle it out, along with the cables.

While you have it out, check the bulb sockets, as they have a tendancy to crack/break over time, along with the copper fan contact strip.