I have found if I have my temp set to cold/warm, I have a hard time turning over to the opposite temp... Having to jerk it rapidly from left to right to get it to go over - else it wont actually give me the temp I would like.

But I can't see spending $30 on something I adjust twice a year - in the fall to warm, in the spring to cool.

 

that kit is actually priced under $14 on mitsubishiparts.net I'm like you in that I rarely use the a/c or heat, but when I do need it, I want it to function properly. If you've ever taken the knobs off, do you see the stalk that the knobs sit on? The one that the actual hot/cold is adjusted by (far left) is now broke because I had to turn the knob really hard to get it to stay. I wish I had known about this upgrade before the stalk broke.

 

does this part apply to improving the evo IX as well? On my IX the temp knob feels like it's going to fall off every time I turn it- it works but it's not a feeling of quality.

 

my knob is already broke ugh, happened a week after i bought the car

 

Yea, i recently ecountered this problem and have did all the research on here to figure out what to do about it. My car is getting the 30k mile service as we speak and i told them to look at the temp. control. I already bought the linkage because the first TSB recommended that as well as an in cabin filter which i already installed.

The dealer told me i need the blend door that goes inside the blower assembly which is like a $75 part from Russel and this part in mentioned in the SECOND TSB about this problem. My HVAC isnt broken yet because i never forced the knob.

So no big deal right, $100 bucks in parts and an easy fix right? NOPE! The dealer said labor is gonna be like $750! F that! There explanation is that the whole dash needs to come out and what not and its pretty time consuming. They said just to reach with my hand and adjust the the linkagae assembly for the blend door.

My gripe is if there was this big a problem with this temp. control system why not recall it? It was mainly on the 2002-03 lancers and outlander, which isnt as many cars as it could be.

Just wanted to share my experience with this problem. I think i might call Mitsu. to see what they can do. As i said my car only has 30k miles, so its not like its a issue of over use.

 

^it takes like 10 minutes to replace the plastic gears. don't have to take the dash out. and the blend door i've never replaced. just doing the gears has fixed every car with that issue i've seen.

 

Kevin d check your email please!!

 

ive got the same thing going on with mine. hey gabe511. definately ask your dealership to call mitsubishi and have them ask for a goodwill. they will know what your talking about. if you have to, ask for the service manager. if you dont get it taken care of then ask the service manager for the number to mitsubishi america. i used to be a service writer for a honda dealership and you have to know the right buttons to push. also if they give you trouble and you get a survey, tell them you will mark all low. you wont believe how high they will jump. trust me.

 

Thanx darkside, i was waiting to find out the right cage to rattle. I'm not a person who complains, i just paid $400 for the 30k service so its not like i don't understand the costs for this car, its just i don't like the fact that a common problem like this happens due to faulty parts, and they don't try to rectify the situation. I have the number for mitsu, i think its 888-mitsu-09 or something like that, i might just bypass the dealer so they don't get annoyed with me, unless it would be better that they call mitsu. I will keep you posted with what happens.

KevinD, i already bought the plastic pieces to fix it, but according to mitsu, i need the blend door as well which is where all the labor prices stem from. I will replace the linkage myself and if it does work then great, if not, i will try to make the appropriate phone calls.

 

Same thing here on my 03 Evo. Never forced turned it but once and sure enough, it broke the cool/hot knob.

Should be a recall and should be repaired completely whether under warranty or not.

**** Mitsubishi!

 

They should just supply the parts for free...I hate anyone else touching my ****, I don't trust those ppl at dealers, I have heard my fair share of horror stories

 

Wish this would have been posted before my knob and everything broke! Thanks tho, this should be a STICKY

 

So I broke my knob and got the replacement parts from the dealer.

The Link heater control (plastic gears) PN is 7801A110 costs less than $20 at the dealership (pics below)

The Controller assembly I got was actually for the standard Lancer, PN is MM185137HB. This unit costs a little less than the actual Evo unit, only difference is the grey trim peice that goes around your radio/HVAC controls. Everything else is the same, just use your old grey trim.

So if you broke your knob, get the standard lancer controller assembly and save a few bucks.

If yours is just sticking, buy the plastic gears and save yourself some significant coin in the long run.

I had a printout of the TSB and dam was that complicated. Instead I just removed the plastic trim under the steering wheel, cubby under radio and everything's straight forward (awkward trying to get to it but straight forward).

Took about an hour total.

HTH

Left to right:

Original installed, I can see how this is a bad design.
New gears
New gears installed
Comparison between old & new

 

Yea, i called mitsubishi and tried to get them to cover the repair, but they kept saying it was out of warranty. I tried to explain to her that the parts were poorly designed and no matter how old or how many miles were on the car that it didnt change the poor parts. She suggested i asked the dealer for "Goodwill Service" but i'll have better luck turning water to wine. So i'll just swap the gears myself and hope that takes care of it. I'm sure i'll be better off this way anyway.

 

Oh nice! I've been plagued with the crappy hot/cold knob since I bought my '03 new. I'm gonna swing by the dealership today and hopefully pick this up. Not that it matters much though, since living in AZ the temp knob is set all the way cold almost 100% of the time.