Replacing Heater Control Panel?

Greetings,

I'm preparing to embark on the seemingly heinous task of replacing the heater control panel in my '78 911SC. I noticed some lights hanging around behind the panel, and found that 2 of the plastic sockets that are molded into the faceplate (the one's that secure the panel bulbs) have broken apart. As such, the bulbs are hanging in mid air behind the panel.

I've already purchased a new control unit, however to my dismay, I found that the plastic bezel is "integrated" into the mechanism. Needless to say, I can't simply replace the bezel, I have to replace the whole nine yards.

Before I tackle this, can anyone give me any pointers that might make this job easier? It looks like the cables will have to be removed from the heater control mechanism first, but it looks tricky as access is limited.

Any tips or hints would be most appreciated!

Can anyone tell me how much of the dash innards are revealed with the dash-top off?

I'm hoping there's a way to do this without too much disassembly.

Thanks in advance!!

As I recall, the interior unit is somewhat difficult to remove but there is not much dismantling or removal of other stuff to facilitate this. Th one fastener right behind it, that holds it in, is somewhat hard to access, but it can be done. This is where you wish for smaller hands.

Didn't your new unit come with the cables already on it? The best way is probably to have the cables on it when you install it. You'll ahve to remove some stuff in the trunk to access all the final ends of the cables. The sheaths can be removed and the cables lubed with dry graphite. This is what I used and it works beautifully. Then you feed the new cables into the trunk from the cabin.

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'83 SC

Thanks for the input.

I partially pulled the panel out, thinking the bulbs may have simply fallen out of the sockets, and that's when I found the broken apart sockets. As you mentioned, there's a single bolt that secures the panel via a bracket that extends from the rear of the panel, and that bracket extends pretty far back. There doesn't seem to be any way to turn the control unit so it slides out of the opening. Either the rear bracket or the control cables interfere.

I haven't applied any "force," but if it will come out this way, I'll attempt it.

Did you remove yours with the cables attached? Did you pull it straight out, or did you have to "maneuver" it?

Thanks again! I think I'd rather rebuild the engine than tackle this!!

My experience is, that you cannot remove the control panel with the harness attached.
I have tried it, but was only able to pull the control panel out of the dash for about 4 cm. Even with the heater cables dismounted.
I fumbled the bulbs in from the bottom side then. My back still hurts...

If I have to replace the unit once, It seems easier to cut all harness and to install a connector panel underneath the dash. Not original, but user-friendly, I guess.

Any better idea is welcome!

Jens

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My advice is to replace in with one of those plain piece's of black plastic you see when radio's are removed. My guess, it will work about the same! HVAC not a German priority.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

There is a couple of nuts on the rear underside of the control for mounting purposes. You MUST go under the hood of your car and disconnect the the cables from the box. This allows you some play in removing the control, the rest is easy. The fun really begins when you put it back in! Take your time and your radio out, for additional access. Good luck.