1973 Duster, how to get the heater / ac control panel out of the dash?

[timk225]

I looked in my 1973 shop manual and didn't get a clear answer. I need to pull the heater / AC control unit out of the dashboard. It seems to have had an electrical switch go bad or get too dirty, as the AC / heater blower motor isn't turning on all of a sudden. It has always worked well until yesterday. I tested the motor with 12 volts direct from the battery, I tested the fuses, everything seems ok. All that's left is a bad on/off switch in the control panel.

It looks like www.thepartguy.com can rebuild the control panel unit, is that a good place to have it done?

I moved aside my hand cut replacement cardboard glove box in the car and got in there with my hand and phone to take a few photos. Near as I can tell, the front bezel might pop off, but the slide knobs might be in the way. Don't want to take a chance with 52 year old plastic parts that were poor quality plastic even when new.

 

[j_anderson]

Generally, those controllers are bolted in from the backside. With the dash frame in place in the car, removing one is not fun. Get everything out of the way as much as you can...AC vents, glovebox and maybe even the cluster. You will need to get the slider cables off, unplug the electrical connection and then remove the two bolts behind the bezel and I think 73 has a support bracket on the back thats bolted to one of the speaker bolts.

 

[timk225]

I got it out. I took off the under dash AC distribution vent, then got the radio loose, then pulled out my folded up cardboard replacement glove compartment, and I was able to reach enough bolts / screws. It was still difficult but it got done.