Date:         Wed, 17 Sep 2003 14:13:30 +0100
Reply-To:     Tony Polson <tp@WHSMITHNET.CO.UK>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tony Polson <tp@WHSMITHNET.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: how to remove the heater controller switch?
Comments: To: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Matthew Pollard wrote:
>
> how do you get to the heater fan speed switch so to remove
it?
> thanks
> matthew


Hi Matthew,

There is no need to remove the dashboard or do any work
behind it.

This is what you need to do:

1) Remove heater fan knob by gently pulling it straight out.

2) Gently prise the plastic heater control fascia plate away
from the metal dashboard.  (The plastic fascia has two lugs
that protrude from the back into two holes in the metal
dash.  One is immediately to the left of the fan switch.
The other is near the top left.  In each of these holes
there is a cylindrical spring steel clip that holds the lug
in place.  The steel clip can rust and hold the lug very
tight, and there is a risk that you will break one or both
of the lugs.  I did.  When replacing the plastic fascia I
used self-tapping screws instead.  It looks and works fine
without one or both lugs.)

3) You will now have exposed the heater fan speed switch
assembly, which is located in a square hole in the metal
dashboard.  There is a spring steel clip on one side of the
switch.  Release this with a flat bladed screwdriver and the
switch comes loose.  Carefully withdraw the switch, bringing
the electrical connector with it, out of the dashboard.
Separate the connector from the switch making sure that you
don't break the switch in two pieces.  (I did, but who cares
if you're replacing it?.)

4) Replacement is the reverse of the above instructions.

Apart from the risk of damaging the plastic fascia plate,
this is a straightforward job.  I bought a used replacement
fascia plate but did not need to use it; losing one lug did
not damage the fascia plate and I was 100% happy to screw it
back on.

Good luck!

Tony