How to remove climate control knobs? Trying to fix mirror defrost button

[petrotk40]

Do they just pop off? I'm trying to get to the smaller buttons below that control rear defrost, rear ac and mirror defrost.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to get my mirror defrost button operational before winter really hits. With the panel apart, I can push the button on the motherboard and it works. I can't seem to get the plastic button to depress it, so I'm trying to take it all apart and clean it.

 

[lexi4darin]

They pop off. Pull them straight out with tape. Also, you can pull the whole climate system out, a last resort for sure. And then you can take that apart to get to the buttons.

 

[petrotk40]

oh it's all out already, I can't get to the lower buttons until I can get the climate computer board out fo the way...

 

[petrotk40]

so I got everything apart

I pulled the knobs off

and then used an 11mm socket with my hand to remove the dials

there is a cover and 2 computer board on the back held on by a few screws

everything off!

pop the button cover off and push the white part out the back

I was able to clean everything up and get the buttons working as they should. I put everything back together, push the button... it worked!! Pushed again to turn it off and nothing happens... dammit. I turned the car off and back on... doesn't work again... so all that for nothing. I'll mess with it again this weekend.

 

[petrotk40]

FIXED!!! Ah so excited.

The black plastic backing piece had cracks around the screw holes, making it loose and not holding the computer board tight against the buttons. I got some tiny washers from home depot and voila! I took most of it apart and made sure the little rubber nipples activated and deactivated everything, then slow put it all back together, making sure the buttons still worked after each piece went back on. End result... it works!!

washers

washers installed

ON!

OFF!

 

[AimCOtaco]

Sweet, mine are getting a little flaky, now I know what I'm up against.
Thanks!

 

[bamabrock]

Do you know what bulbs the center section uses? I'm about to replace my center section with a new one.

 

[ckkone]

Bump, did you ever find out what bulbs to use? I see 3 in the picture above, anyone know what type they are?

 

[petrotk40]

I don't know the answer about the bulbs, but my mirror defrost button quit working again...

 

[2000UZJ]

My fan speed switch is really loose. I may try this. Is there a way to tighten the nut without removing the entire assembly? Do I just yank the switch off?

 

[petrotk40]

ya just pull the switch off, 11mm socket with your hand, good to go!

 

[2000UZJ]

I'm going to do this now. I am cringing already. I tried to pull the knob off a while ago and it wouldn't come off. I'll post back shortly.

 

[petrotk40]

no worries man, I thought I was going to break mine with how hard I had to pull

 

[2000UZJ]

no worries man, I thought I was going to break mine with how hard I had to pull

My fan speed switch was on its last thread. My fingers hurt now. Those things are on there good.

 

[ckkone]

Here is a picture of the back of the board and the bulbs, I assume the larger are T5 and the smaller T4... Hoping someone can confirm this.

 

[gil12]

I'm always a bit wary about bringing up an old thread - but... My AC switch has been unreliable for years - and I've been telling other drivers to "leave it on!" - not wanting to face a possible replacement of a $1,400 computer board. In this thread, it seems to imply that the board is not at fault, but perhaps just the bracket that holds the board up to the buttons.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Might it be corrected by just some washers?

I ask because it seems others fixed the problem by replacing the board with a used part. Any enlightenment would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Gil

 

[digitalmarker]

I'm always a bit wary about bringing up an old thread - but... My AC switch has been unreliable for years - and I've been telling other drivers to "leave it on!" - not wanting to face a possible replacement of a $1,400 computer board. In this thread, it seems to imply that the board is not at fault, but perhaps just the bracket that holds the board up to the buttons.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Might it be corrected by just some washers?

I ask because it seems others fixed the problem by replacing the board with a used part. Any enlightenment would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Gil

+1 on this... my AC, mirror defrost, and inside/outside air buttons are super unreliable and only work 30% of the time. Has anyone figured this out? I tried both of the fixes in this thread, the washers and the taking apart/cleaning. Works for a few days and reverts to being unreliable shortly after.

 

[landarcht]

I'm trying to replace button illumination for the side view mirror and rear AC, can someone confirm which bulb or part number they should be? (circled in red below)
All the side mount rectangular LED's work fine once you press the buttons to turn on.