I tried searching for a thread on swapping out a push button AC controller. I am pretty sure the two harness connections are plug and play, but I would like to learn how the cable is attached on the underside before I attempt to swap units.
The cable is held in place with a press-on washer that is quite a pain to remove. A small flathead screwdriver and patience is your friend. Try to "walk" the washer back up the post, little by little. It's spring steel and keeps itself tight with "fingers" all facing inward on the plastic post. A screw also keeps the cable sheath positioned stable at the HVAC controller unit, this will be obvious when you start pulling it out of the console and flip it over to view underneath.
The cable is held in place with a press-on washer that is quite a pain to remove. A small flathead screwdriver and patience is your friend. Try to "walk" the washer back up the post, little by little. It's spring steel and keeps itself tight with "fingers" all facing inward on the plastic post. A screw also keeps the cable sheath positioned stable at the HVAC controller unit, this will be obvious when you start pulling it out of the console and flip it over to view underneath.
Thank you viperine! Good description...I need to remove my stereo before I can pull out the HVAC unit because the harness cables are pretty short in there. So this description gives me an idea of what I am up against.
A small screwdriver can work for the pressed on washer but I have had better luck with a couple of seal picks or dental picks. Trick is to press up on the inner fingers only going around in a circle. If you just try to pry on the outer rim it will get tighter and break the washer or the post. Just go slow and take your time. If you do break the washer, new ones can usually be found at the parts or hardware store.
A small screwdriver can work for the pressed on washer but I have had better luck with a couple of seal picks or dental picks. Trick is to press up on the inner fingers only going around in a circle. If you just try to pry on the outer rim it will get tighter and break the washer or the post. Just go slow and take your time. If you do break the washer, new ones can usually be found at the parts or hardware store.
Thank you for the detailed description. It will surely be a great help.
The cable is held in place with a press-on washer that is quite a pain to remove. A small flathead screwdriver and patience is your friend. Try to "walk" the washer back up the post, little by little. It's spring steel and keeps itself tight with "fingers" all facing inward on the plastic post.
Boy you weren't kidding! This thing is on there really good!
A small screwdriver can work for the pressed on washer but I have had better luck with a couple of seal picks or dental picks. Trick is to press up on the inner fingers only going around in a circle. If you just try to pry on the outer rim it will get tighter and break the washer or the post. Just go slow and take your time. If you do break the washer, new ones can usually be found at the parts or hardware store.
If you just bend a few of the ears or crinkled the washer you can flatten it with a hammer. Most small town hardware stores have them in their fastener section.
If you just bend a few of the ears or crinkled the washer you can flatten it with a hammer. Most small town hardware stores have them in their fastener section.
I wasn't that lucky. The 30 y/o metal was no match for my clumsy hands! 1/3 of it broke off. Finding small town hardware stores isn't as easy as it was back in the day.
Dorman Help! Parts has an assortment of speed nuts in a pack, I'm surprised gm didn't opt for this instead of the washer we do find in this spot. You can probably get away with using either style; one is a press-fit, the other has a hexagonal shape to allow for socket install/removal. Warning though, the latter style cuts "threads" into the plastic post, and is not always easy to remove, once installed.
