hi all,

i'm one of the unfortunates who broke off the temp ctrl dial and now have to replace the whole unit b/c of bad engineering/service on 's part. anyway, i didn't give into having the dealer replace it since it would cost an arm and a leg. so i'm doing it myself. i was wondering if any of you have done it and if so can you please give me a step by step so that i don't do more damage than already has been done (e.g. break off the plastic dash pieces to get access to the temp ctrl unit.) if you have pics then even better. please email me or reply to the thread. thanks in advance.

 

Are you doing the door or just replacing the knob and linkage? The reason I ask is because if doing the door (going that deep under the dash) I think you need the factory service manual.

 

how did you do that?

Since our interiors are pretty cheap, to pull off the trim piece is pretty much straight forward. There are 3 screws behind the the knobs. Once those are out firmly pull off the trim piece. You should have enough access to figure out all the bolt points.

 

arm and a leg? i agree its expensive, but i just looked it up and its only 217 retail for the kit.... arm and a leg is a drive shaft thts 1300 for example, lol

part # mn185098ha description = controller assembly, d- gray, 04-06.

 

I think he's more worried about the labor.

 

its not that hard... just plug in and screw really...

 

i'm just planning to replace the unit w/the 3 knobs since i can't replace the plastic part of the dial that attaches to the knob individually (the part that broke). i was going to replace the plastic gear assembly which seems to be the initial problem.

so i just pull on the plastic trim and i should get access to the back of the control unit? any particular ways to pulling it off or just traction? i would hate to break it off and have another problem on my hands. thanks again for the replies.

 

agreed....arm and a leg is a relative term. though we can all afford the same car, unforseen damage expenses are relative. in other words your arm and a leg might be worth more than mine or vice versa. thx for the reply.

 

They sell a kit (I guess, I haven't ordered yet. I have a knob that will break if I don't do anything about it.) with the knobs and the linkage. The real problem is the blend door in the heater box. So, when you are done replacing the knob assembly you will still have a knob that is very difficult to turn and may break again.

On the other hand, the job of pulling the heater box and replacing the door is a monster because the dash has to come off. Well, dash, here I come.

Good luck with your project.

 

I bought the heater blend door kit today. Also 4 O-rings for the air conditioner expansion block.

The dealer had two doors in stock and the parts counter clerk said they had done about 15 vehicles so far. He also said their best tech could do the job in eight hours. Since I am doing the job for the first time I figure I had better multiply that time by five.

My heat control knob is getting pretty stiff. I hope I don't break it before I can get started.

 

Errr...I have this same problem. I was really hoping I would not have to pull the dash.

 

Well, I am going that route but without replacing the knob and linkage as suggested in the TSB. My suspicion is that the door is the total cause and the knob and linkage are okay so long as unbroken.

I have to work three rotations of 7 days each meaning I can pull some leave at the end of April. If you can wait till then I will report the result here.

 

Alright what did you find out