Date:         Sun, 25 Sep 2011 08:26:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Can Someone Please Shed Some Light....
Comments: To: J Stewart <fonman4277@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <1947442554.2051281.1316961644845.JavaMail.root@sz0063a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I've been lucky in finding one or two at the wreckers, but my hoard has run out now. I did futz around with jamming a led and a resistor in the spot, but it really was a hack job. 

I hate pulling the heater control face off. It's a crap shoot as to whether I will break anything. A few things learned the hard way:

- bracing your hand when pulling off the heater plastic levers helps to reduce the "sudden release syndrome" which is responsible for most of the broken face plates
- a dab of silicone grease on said heater levers makes them less likely to exhibit SRS the next time
- don't grip the end knob to pull the plastic levers 
- the face plate mounting bosses can be stuck in the holes of the dash. Prying gently and patiently with a pallet knife or similar will ease it off. Again, a dab of silicone grease on the bosses makes the next go round easier.
- pallet or kitchen knife helps to pry the metal levers into position when re-installing the plastic levers on to them.


alistair


On 2011-09-25, at 7:40 AM, J Stewart wrote:

> Yeah, what a pain! I did find them on Van Cafe's web site, I was going to order two, price would be about $15.00, but then when I went to check out, shipping was also $15.00!! I'll just wait til tomorrow and call them. 'Course I could just "accidentally" add one of those heavy duty front bumpers to my order-with deer season starting up again here in Virginia (actually it never STOPS) I sure would like one of those bumpers!  The wife would kill me though....    Jeff
> 
> Jeff Stewart
> 
> 
> yes, that heater control bulb, as far as I know, comes with bulb holder.
> 
> annoying eh? It looks like the grain of rice bulb might be removable but as you found out the fine wires are attached to the mount.
> 
> alistair