County heater control access?

[2 rocks]

Hi
Having located what I believe to be the heater tap control cable zip tied to the fire wall, I want to get it reconnected to lever in the dash.

I assume it needs to pass through the (bastardised and crispy looking) rectangular grommet on the firewall. My concern is how do I get to the HVAC controls? (It has factory A/C, in case that makes a difference to the controls).

The black plastic fascia the controls are in looks to have cracked previously so I don't want to just hook in with a screwdriver and try to lever it out/forward if this is not the way to get to them and damage it further. I'm guessing there will be a pin on the end of the air mix lever, which the coiled end of the cable fits over, and a clamp to stop the cable shroud moving.

Cheers
Mike

[fitzy]

The dash fascia will pull out from the top if you pop out the a/c vents and remove any screws retaining it to the dash top. It has a flange on the bottom and if you get a few large screwdrivers in from the top going gently and checking for any thing that might be retaining it as you go it should come out towards you. Good luck.

[2 rocks]

Thanks Fitzy!
Excellent, I'll get into it on Saturday. I'd guessed from the crack in the HVAC panel from the PO that there was probably a better way to access it... :)
Cheers
Mike

[2 rocks]

...than I've fixed.

Ok, so removed the dash fascia yesterday and carefully moved my "terrazzo" instrument binnacle out of the way (it's been cracked and put back together with silastic and bits of aluminium)...

I fed the heater control cable through next to the speedo cable, through the slot in the dash frame and reconnected it to the HVAC control block. Replaced the dash only to find the vacuum pipes have come out of the connector on the rear of control block, so when I have light and time, I will have to take the fascia off agin and work out which does what - ATM air is going to the screen vents, pushing face vents or "O" just gives a hissing noise. Pipes are white, blue and orange.

However, moving the heater control does not seem to have any effect on the heater tap. I've seen a couple of threads and my gut is that it's the tap not the cable at fault.

Google has so far failed to provide me with a heater tap. Does anyone know from whence they can be had? Part numbers etc?

TIA
Cheers
Mike

[Wallaby Ted]

First time I pulled the dash from the 85 County, I pulled out all of the vacuum lines and had to work them out. If you start the car one of them will have suction, and you can work them out from there by getting it back in the block and connecting the others one at a time to work them out.

My heater cable was broken when I bought it (which is why I pulled out the dash), and never put it back in. The joys of living in sunny Queensland, I don't need the heater so I never bothered getting a new cable, as the heater box stayed in the cold position.

If you need a photo let me know and I'll pull the dash apart to get you a photo of the control block.

Also try looking at:

http://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Defender_Parts_Catalogue.pdf

This is a parts catalogue for 87 on, but a lot of part are the same. If it doesn't load I have a pdf of the pages.


Richard

[flagg]

don't forget your brakes are vacuum assisted, and any leaks in the heater controls makes a noticeable difference to pedal feel (on mine at least..).

[Dazqldmanx]

don't forget your brakes are vacuum assisted, and any leaks in the heater controls makes a noticeable difference to pedal feel (on mine at least..).


Just rectified a vent leak, hope you are right on the brakes as they feel doughy. Will drive shortly.

[Dazqldmanx]

Just rectified a vent leak, hope you are right on the brakes as they feel doughy. Will drive shortly.


Test drove and feels better. Now need to track down a replacement plug for back of control panel.