heater/fresh air bulbs replacemet rant

[RSBob]

OMG what a PITA. All my bulbs were burnt out. Replacing the bulbs in the holders was the easy part, but getting the bulb holders reseated again was unreal.

First you have to be a first rate contortionist to even find the receptacles. Laying on my back, and trying to get my fingers to the upper right one was tough. Getting the little notch on the bulb holder is next to impossible which makes getting well seated equally next to impossible. The lower right was easy but again getting the little notch seated was not in the cards but at least they were in.

Next was trying to get the lower left one in with the radio in. Talk about next to impossible. It was incredibly difficult getting it even remotely near the receiver. One I got it almost in and gave it a final push, I pulled the bulbs on the right out. Putting the ones on the right back in pulled the left one out and on and on. When trying to get one of the right ones in, the solder connection broke to the positive lead. Resolder and tape to hold securely. Get that one in and the left bulb pops out. After 2 hours, I said #### it and left the left one out behind the sliders.

Final score, 2 right side bulbs kinda in and left back lights the sliders as Porsche should have done. What a PITA. If I had the tools to get the radio out, I would have done that.... argh

[HarryD]

I felt your pain. Did the same thing a few years back. It hurts just thinking about it.

[1990C4S]

Been there. Second worst job on a 911.

[pitsqrd]

RSBob,
Was wondering how many bulbs and holders are back there. I have a 78 SC and I took the dash apart to freshen up the vinyl face plates and eventually install a new radio. I was in the process to trying to get the damn heater/fresh air unit out but the control cable z bends in the control levers are impossible to get our unless you unbolt the cable holders to manipulate the z bends out.

I noticed there were only 3 bulb holders: as you look at the heater/fresh air unit, there is upper and lower on the right and then a lower one on the left that is "connected" to the lower one on the right. I noticed there is a plastic receptacle on upper left back of the heater/fresh air unit, but I could not find a bulb or holder back there. Is this what you have also?

I think I am going to cut the connection between lower left and lower right and splice in an extension so that there will be some slack to manipulate one side without the other side getting pulled out.

What do you think?

Pitsqrd

[Jdub]

The bulb holders are usually slightly melted, which makes putting them into the sockets next to impossible. Then, this is a line of lights that is unfused, and is typically the culprit for a burning dash or bad ignition switch or both when the wires inevitably get caught up in the metal mechanical switches.

There is a good case for simply snipping this line of bulbs and capping the wire., but not before (wait for it...) fusing the line with a 15amp fuse.

What the hell where they thinking?