I think this might tie into a few of the other issues I've been reading about here.

About 2 years ago, my radio got stolen, and the **** who did it was nice enough to screw up the HVAC dash as well. The dealership repaired it, but recently, I cannot turn my temperature dial to the heat side. Before, it would CLUNK past the center into the heat, but now it simply won't go there, it acts as if there's a spring forcing it back.

On top of that, the air vent selector (foot / face / defrost) dial will not turn, it springs back to the center after I let go. The air force (amount of air) dial works fine, as do all the buttons. But I can't use my deforster, which makes it dangerous to drive sometimes.

The dealership wants $80 just to look at the car and I am out of warranty.

Any ideas? Is this something I can repair myself?

Thanks!

 

just do wat my friend does with his OZ .....pulls them manually from inside the dash,lol, there on top of the pedals! have u checked if it the actual HVAC cluster ? it could just b that the lines are bent(like my friends)

 

How does he get to them? And isn't there a way to jury rig it so that it doesn't look awful?

 

:went to check:
okay there on top of the gas pedal just look under there and u'll c em there like a circular lever with a wire attached (theres 2 one for them and other for vent ) just pull them or push them to how ever u want

 

On top of the gas pedal?

Isn't there plastic trim that blocks all of that stuff?

 

nope! go try it!

 

I will after work. I'm also going to try removing my center console trim and see if I can fix the dials by hand. I can't very well make it any worse, really...

I also need to replace all my dash lights. They're reeeeeally dim.

Thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted. If anyone else knows any other ways to fix this, let me know!

 

just be carefull not to break the hvac controls , urr gonna need some needle nose to take the lines out! dont try and pull em off!! itll break and ull have to pay 300+ for a new one!
im pretty sure u just need new lines , same thing happened to my friend , his are just bent

 

How much are new lines, and can they be replaced by me?

 

Go to do the dealer and try to get it fixed for free.
It's a Technical Service Buletin

Until you get it fixed, there is a white moveable part on the driver side that you can move instead of using the dial.
Against the center console under the dash on the driver side.

 

if you cant fix it yourself, i'd go to my insurance company. you could easily argue it stems from the previous work done, assuming there was no issue before your car was broken into. obviously if you have a high deductable that would be pointless but if you have a low/or none, i'd try to get the whole thing replaced

 

The work was done under a previous insurance carrier, not my current one. My deductible is 200, and the work I need seems to run into the 300+ range. I need heat for the winter, so this sucks a lot. The dealer's mechanic is not very responsive to the whole "free" thing, he won't even give me a free estimate, much less any free work...

*sigh*

Are there any guides that deal with this issue? I looked and couldn't find any.

Where is the stuck door located? Can it be reached through the center console? How would I go about replacing or straightening the bent cables?

 

you can move it when its broken !! u just probably have to disconnect the line

 

its easy once u c it! and the door ur lookn for is the one on top of the gas pedal , under the dash

 

I was having the same issue as described by the OP, except my dial was the heat. I can verify that moving that white assembly does in fact work. Pull it down for cool air and push it up for hot air. I'm just glad I won't be freezing this winter now. If anyone wants a picture of this part we're talking about I can snag that later and post it.