A/C fascia under constant stress from shifter plate

[vps3922]

Hi all, I thought I throw this out into the forum and see what if there is anybody else experiencing this.

I noticed that the PO "fixed' the A/C fascia decal (108921) by superglueing the screw shaft back in after it broke. It is under constant physical stress, because the shifter plate (or front panel 108240), which seems to have to sit with two copper notches in two holes on rails in the center console, slips out of them because the screws holding the shifter plate in its rear push it forward. This reduces the space between shifter plate front and mounting plate 106639, pushing the A/C faceplate outwards. This puts stress on the tiny screw in the center of the faceplate and cracks the shaft. I do not know how to resolve this. I wonder why the shifter plate has only these copper notches on the underside to go into the holes in the rails of the center console instead of hooks or screws.
My question is now how can I either fix the shifter plate better than just resting it in these holes, so that it does not push upwards and stays in its position, or resolve the AC fascia issue.

I have the feeling that I will experience the same issue (breaking the A/C fascia screw shaft) if I do not fix the shifter plate/center console issue.

Any ideas?

[Bitsyncmaster]

There is quite a bit of upward force on the AC panel caused by the shifter plate pushing up on it. But your AC panel should have four plastic standoffs that hold it from moving and the screw just keeps those standoff in the mounting holes. Are those stand offs broken? They should have a small plastic pin on the end that goes into matching holes in the radio bracket.

[jackb]

I am in a similar position as you, OP.
On mine, the screw that goes from the A/C panel into mode switch is not long enough (it is the correct screw, 100% sure), the plastic pins are broken off the A/C panel corners, 3 of the metal pins are broken off the shifter plate. There is a good amount of upward force being transmitted from the shifter plate to the A/C panel, and the A/C knobs are what holds the panel in place.

[vps3922]

There is quite a bit of upward force on the AC panel caused by the shifter plate pushing up on it. But your AC panel should have four plastic standoffs that hold it from moving and the screw just keeps those standoff in the mounting holes. Are those stand offs broken? They should have a small plastic pin on the end that goes into matching holes in the radio bracket.

"Standoffs"? No, I do not have any. I will order a new A/C fascia and hope it comes with them.

[vps3922]

I am in a similar position as you, OP.
On mine, the screw that goes from the A/C panel into mode switch is not long enough (it is the correct screw, 100% sure), the plastic pins are broken off the A/C panel corners, 3 of the metal pins are broken off the shifter plate. There is a good amount of upward force being transmitted from the shifter plate to the A/C panel, and the A/C knobs are what holds the panel in place.

Yes, my knobs are now falling off if there is too much vibration through the car. It is really a sad view. :rolleyes1:

[Bitsyncmaster]

"Standoffs"? No, I do not have any. I will order a new A/C fascia and hope it comes with them.

The standoffs are molded into the clear face plate. One on each corner. The pins on the standoff if broken off can probably be fixed. Carefully drill into the standoff where the pin broke and glue in a metal pin (maybe a nail is the correct dia.)

[vps3922]

The standoffs are molded into the clear face plate. One on each corner. The pins on the standoff if broken off can probably be fixed. Carefully drill into the standoff where the pin broke and glue in a metal pin (maybe a nail is the correct dia.)

Wow! Thank you for the picture. I never noticed them. Probably because they are not there anymore. I will have a look later today.

[DMCflux]

My standoffs are missing and the hole the screw goes into is stripped. Any ideas how to fix the stripped hole?

[Bitsyncmaster]

My standoffs are missing and the hole the screw goes into is stripped. Any ideas how to fix the stripped hole?

The OEM screw is a weird size metric. So you could patch the metal and retap or use a larger screw. I lost my OEM screw and used a screw I found here tapping the hole to match. But you really need those pins in the standoffs to prevent further damage.

[mburshtain]

The OEM screw is a weird size metric. So you could patch the metal and retap or use a larger screw. I lost my OEM screw and used a screw I found here tapping the hole to match. But you really need those pins in the standoffs to prevent further damage.

I am looking for a longer screw that will fit and not create damage. Can anyone help and provide the recommended screw size?

[Lwanmtr]

Huh...I'll have to look at mine..I never noticed those either.

[BABIS]

I am looking for a longer screw that will fit and not create damage. Can anyone help and provide the recommended screw size?

I know that PJ Grady sells a longer screw with his A/C mode switch rebuild kit ;)

[mburshtain]

I will order a kit from Rob


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[DMCMW Dave]

Don't go too long! If the screw goes too far into the switch it goes right into the electrical part of the switch.

[mburshtain]

Don't go too long! If the screw goes too far into the switch it goes right into the electrical part of the switch.

Thanks Dave.
Hopefully someone will be able to provide a recommended length so I will not damage the switch.


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[Lwanmtr]

checked mine and sho nuff, the tabs on the top were busted..easy enough to fix though.

[bigmac]

This is my fix and also shaped Daves board. Drilled and glued in new brass pins as all of mine were missing.

435554355643557

[Lwanmtr]

Never seen a circuit board for one...whats it do?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Never seen a circuit board for one...whats it do?

It's one of my products. There are 51 surface mount LEDs on the top side that replace the bulb sockets.

[Lwanmtr]

ohh..neat..didnt realize you made stuff *grin*

[mburshtain]

This is my fix and also shaped Daves board. Drilled and glued in new brass pins as all of mine were missing.


This looks amazing!!!
Can you share some more details on which pins you used and the drilling steps?

[bigmac]

This looks amazing!!!
Can you share some more details on which pins you used and the drilling steps?

Pretty simple to do. Need to drill on a drill press to ensure centered and straight holes using small drill bits unit you get to 3.4mm. Then machined some brass rod down to 3.4mm and glued in. I just made sure there was 3mm past the circuit board.


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