Heater Controls on 77s Targa

alan911 · 03-06-2002, 09:16 AM

Anyone have an aswer on how to pry the in dash heater controls panel out (slightly). Need to do some work on the bulb holders. Seems that they expanded and no loger hold the bulbs in place and they are laying around loose. Seems that prior owner wrapped elec. tape around them to squeeze them together but over time the heat from the bulbs melted the adheisive. What holds the panel in.... exactly ??

SeaDweller · 03-06-2002, 10:45 AM

There should be a bracket that extends from the back of the panel to the "firewall" which is secured by a single bolt. Poke your head under the dash and you should see it. That bolt is really the only thing that secures the panel. Removing the bolt will allow you to pull the panel out an inch or so to fiddle around with the bulbs.

alan911 · 03-06-2002, 10:55 AM

I've got one of those under-dash-clean-up the clutter, cover in the way. Pain to remove. Is it possible to reach through one of the gauge holes to get at it ?? Is there a corresponding bolt on the panel side that I can remove ?? Really need a pic. of what this thing looks like up close and personal.

SeaDweller · 03-06-2002, 11:21 AM

I'm still in the dark ages and don't have a digital camera, but I'm pretty sure a picture was posted as some point.

It ain't real easy to reach from under the dash, and I would say it's probably near impossible to get at through any of the gauges. Getting it out is one thing, but getting it back in is another. I know of no way to access it other than crawling under the dash.

The bracket is integrated into the panel, so the only way to remove the panel is to remove the bolt on the firewall that secures it. Don't pry on the panel, as you'll break it for sure.