Date:         Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:24:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: getting the fan blower switch out
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

> So I bought this replacement dash switch and now I
> need to yank the old one.

I finally got around to finishing this task and I
never thought it would be this difficult.  The plastic
panel for the ventilation controls would flex a bit
but not come loose, not even with the recommended
careful prying.

Removal of the instrument panel and guages (I replaced
the broken radio antenna at the same time and this
helped), the radio to the right, the ashtray above and
the rear heater blower switch panel to the left of the
target all permitted me a better view of, and better
access to, the target.  A mechanic's mirror and spray
Triflow let me shoot a bit of lube onto the two pencil
ferrule-sized plastic nubs protruding through the back
of the dash locating/anchoring the panel.

At that point and with no other option, using a stiff
narrow (1.5") paint scraper as the lever of choice I
was able to get under each side and pry/twist
gently...then a little more muscle...a little more,
and SNAP.  It popped loose.  I was sure it had broken,
but nope.  With the control levers in the center
position the panel came out just far enough to permit
me to remove the old switch and get the new one in
after I wrestled the old one apart from the wiring
plug.

Jeez, who designed this thing?  I'm a pretty fair
mechanic (made a living at it once) and have a decent
grasp of things mechanical, but this vehicle drives me
crazy sometimes.

Thanks for the advice on this, but it should not have
been this big a deal.

Stephen



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