Dash - What goes here?

[NY65912]

I removed the old alarm from my car and the red indicator light was drilled and placed into this recess. My question is, what possibly goes in this space, I presume something optional.

TIA

[db_cooper]

Probably the optional rear window wiper switch.

[universeman]

My 82 has no hole and nothing else there...and no rear wiper either...so db_cooper's answer is probably correct.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

It's a holdover from the front wiper speed control knob (potentiometer) found on 74 and 75 cars. Porsche created a new dash facia for 86 that didn't have this.

[NY65912]

Thanks all. I am trying to clean it up, the hole won't do, I'm too anal.

[NY65912]

Maybe I can find someone who has a donor car and cut a piece of material to make a patch/plug.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I would consider some kind of cool aesthetic patch Mike. You've got to take everything in the area off to replace that piece. The worst being the HVAC control panel with cables going into the trunk to operate the various vents.

[HarryD]

For right now go to a decent hardware store and get a plastic plug that fits the hole.

[universeman]

My PO drilled a hole for a Clifford alarm keypad just to the right of the ignition switch, and when I took it out the hole looked terrible. So I cut a piece of this tape to size, and stuck it on. Looks really surprisingly good:
3M 70016010616 471 Vinyl Tape 2 in by 36 Yard Black | eBay

[NY65912]

universeman, sounds like a good idea. is the tape textured?

[Ronnie's.930]

On 1986 + models, the small, round grill for the auto-heat temperature sensor goes there (not sure on 1985). I guess your car has the older style sensor between the sun visors . . .

[universeman]

Mike, it's not textured, but it hides itself really well on the dash. It has a matte finish, but is smooth (thought not slick).

I used it also to black out my anodized trim which was fading from black to bronze with age (temporary fix). That repair is perfect - I can't even tell it's still there. It is amazing stuff. Picture electrical tape but better, no gummy adhesive, and 2" wide. Very useful stuff.

[kidrock]

auto vinyl repair kits from your FLAPS will cover that nicely. Or, you can purchase one of those miniature Porsche crests, might look fine.

[Jack Stands]

Why nor simply put another switch in that spot? It could be used as a stealth fuel pump shutoff or any other function, or do nothing at all other than fill the hole in the dash. At least it would look factory original.

[Walt Fricke]

The upper of the three air control levers, to the right of the offending hole, also acts as a switch for the fresh air blower motor. As a switch, it is a poor design - open contacts sliding over copper fingers. When I got my '77 in 1984 several of these contacts had burned out. No way to fix or replace that, really, short of a complete replacement assembly, which might just fail eventually anyway.

So I put a rotary contact switch in the spot where your hole is. It was from a later 911, and was used to control a fan, had the right number of contacts as well as an off position, and looked like it belonged there. Wired the blower to it. Works just great (as long as the blower works, which is not as long as it should be, but that's a different matter).

You could do the same. Wire it up now, or wait until the slide switch stuff starts failing.

[NY65912]

OK brain trust,

If I were to find a replacement dash trim panel, how would I go about doing the R&R without screwing it up?

[ManniB]

Christophorus = patron saint of car drivers

- Manfred

[NY65912]

Sorry, but I am extremely anal, maybe OCD.... I need it to go back 100% or I won't sleep.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by NY65912

OK brain trust,

If I were to find a replacement dash trim panel, how would I go about doing the R&R without screwing it up?

Remove steering wheel

Remove clamshell

Remove knee pad and ash tray

Remove fiberboard cover over fan in trunk

Loosen 7mm nuts locking the cables to the HVAC directional vents, pull cables out

Remove passenger side vent and associated tubing

Remove 10mm nut holding the HVAC control levers to the body

Remove HVAC wiring to body and lights to it

Pull/push control levers through multi-hole grommet, can just remove entire grommet from body

Pull control lever unit out

Take pictures of the area for reference

Using a putty knife, carefully wedge it under the facia and cut up to remove. If in excellent shape, it's worth $100 to anyone with a 74-75

Clean the dash face.

Practice putting the new piece on the dash

Use contact cement on both surfaces to mount again, you only get one shot

[NY65912]

Thanks Shaun.

I have 2 choices here.

1 - Make a presentable patch from stock material, a round patch w/ spray adhesive
2 - You come to Brooklyn and do this. Beer will be served after successful completion.

I guess it's choice 1....