AC system not working

[Bama]

I need a how to on the AC switch!

[Jeremy Toaster]

Ok I just fixed mine last weekend, didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but I did take a picture of the piece of metal that "falls out" of the 1234 switch.

Basically once you get the A/C controls out of the dash (removing the radio, bud vase holder, hazard light button lower console first) you can pull the controls up out of the dash without disconnecting the cables running the heat and the air direction, but it is more convenient to unlatch them, they are very easy to do so.

You need pull out all the control knobs to get the surrounding faceplate off the unit. The speed knob should be at 2 and pull straight out, you need to pull harder than you think. The other two knobs you can turn them and pull them at the same time and feel where they disconnect, they seemed to come out easier than the 1234 knob.

Once you have the knobs pulled, there are little TABS all around the faceplate that you need to push in and lift the faceplate off of. After that you will see that under the 1234 knob, there is a curved piece of copper colored metal. There are 2 layers of this metal, this is where the tiny metal piece on the back of the 1234 knobs slides in between to complete the circuit.

The little piece of metal that falls out, comes out of the back of the knob. What has probably happened is the plastic that holds the metal in has broken. Mine was broke but there is enough there to work with to rig something of your own to hold it in place.

What I ended up doing is using a rubber coated bread tie strap, running it through the slit of the metal piece, sliding the metal piece into the groove of which it sits in, and twisting the strap down tight and clipping off the excess.

Here is a picture of the metal piece you are looking for, mine actually fell out of the whole console once I started taking it apart, so be careful no to loose it!

As you can see in the photos, there is a little prong that sticks out of the metal to hold it in place, there there is a black piece of plastic on the back of the knob that cuts through the middle of the metal piece, that is where I ran my tie strap up through and attached to.

[peanutsmom]

Okay so I am a little bit lost.. Could this be all thats wrong with my 98 bug since the vents will not blow not cold air or hot? They will not blow anything at all.. I do not mean to be a nagging lady but this bug is my project because my husband just can not do alot anymore.. So the is mine and our daughters project.. lol.. Is that the little piece that needs to be replaced and that is it? Thanks all

[VdubOne]

I just had my entire AC system replaced, turns out the electrical system went bad and fried the compressor, put in a newer compressor and electrical system, and works great, no problems, probably cost around $1000, and if that is too expensive for you, one easy fix that always works, open the windows and drive

[peanutsmom]

It is the little metal piece that keeps coming out on my ac controller.. But it keeps breaking or coming undone.. I just dunno what I could use or do to keep it in place.. Any ideas?

[rawrjur]

hey I know this isnt a fix, but my 99 NB's AC will not work until 15 mins later. also after it starts to work, something in the engine shakes and sounds like Im turning on an old faucet in a 100+ year old house. any inputs?

[Smileybug]

Check on your radiator fans and make sure they are working. I know when I had one of mine die, I had shaking and a slight howling noise. Replaced the fan, everything was great.

[MOONDOG316]

vdubone what do u mean electrical system what does that consist of cause ours comes on for around a half hour then blows warm then comes back cold i changed the fcm under the battery i was told that could be the problem and the switch on passenger side in the back of the motor undeer the hood was changed now we still have that same problem

[MOONDOG316]

rawjur sounds like the compressor cause ours does that now too it keeps kickin on and of real fast

[rawrjur]

thanks moondog I guess I'll take it to a AC place and have it checked out

[peanutsmom]

The little metal pin in the ac blower knob worked for my smurfette but it keeps breaking so any ideas how to get it to stay in place? we have used hot glue and gorilla glue.. lol