Love those photos! Especially the dog, that's awesome!
Hmmm.... sounds like the cable may have snapped? Regardless, I don't think it's too bad to get the HVAC control panel out. The toughest part is getting the bezel off without breaking it, it is VERY fragile!! Pull the 4 knobs off first, then you pry on one side (can't remember, I think the passenger side), get it unhooked, then carefully pull it out. Then I seem to remember there are 3-4 screws holding it in. Pull it straight out, then take a look, you will probably see what is broken. Yeah, there was a spare one in the box of parts that went to Brett, maybe you still have it? They are easy to find on eBay.
Hmmm.... sounds like the cable may have snapped? Regardless, I don't think it's too bad to get the HVAC control panel out. The toughest part is getting the bezel off without breaking it, it is VERY fragile!! Pull the 4 knobs off first, then you pry on one side (can't remember, I think the passenger side), get it unhooked, then carefully pull it out. Then I seem to remember there are 3-4 screws holding it in. Pull it straight out, then take a look, you will probably see what is broken. Yeah, there was a spare one in the box of parts that went to Brett, maybe you still have it? They are easy to find on eBay.