Heater Control Panel REMOVAL....

[Dial91177s]

'77 911S....need to replace the bulbs in the heater control panel and I'm having a awful time trying to figure out how this comes out from the dash.....help ?

I've tried fishing my hand up behind, however there simply isn't enough room to replace the bulbs.....also have one that seems to have come loose from it's proper place.

[Thomas Owen]

There is a bracket that extends forward from the rear of the control panel toward the front of the car. If you look up under the dash at the forward edge of the ash tray you will see the point where the bracket attaches to a mounting point with a 10mm bolt. Remove the bolt and the panel can be pulled slightly into the cabin. The plastic sockets that hold the bulb/socket combo are probably enlarged due to heat. It is not unusual to see the lamp hanging down or illuminating the back side of the dash. You may have to come up with a way to hold the lamps in their proper place. Good luck.

[Seven-Seven]

Dial --

Are you attempting to remove the panel simply to replace one or more of the 5(?) bulbs in the unit, or do you have bigger aspirations that require the removal of the whole thing?

I've taken out my control unit in the past, and it was NOT a lot of fun. The work involved under the dash from inside the passenger compartment area is nothing compared with how much work there is to do from within the trunk compartment area, up behind the dash where all of the cables connect to the linkages. YUCK! Not fun.

[Speedy1]

That is not good news my pannel is cracked and I have large hands and I would like to replace mine. However the $500.00+price tag for a new one does not top the list of things that need to be done list! By the way my bulbs have fallen out also.

[Seven-Seven]

Speedy --

If new is cost prohibitive (and it was for me) try used from somewhere like Parts Heaven or eBay. I found nice units at both, and ended up with one from eBay for a little more than $100, and it was in great shape.

[Dial91177s]

Thanks for the help T.Owens.....I see the bracket and will be working on resoration of my lighting shortly !

Brian

[Speedy1]

Carlton
Thanks for the onfo but I'm afraid that if purchased used something will be wrong with it. Remember buyer be ware.