Don't be scared to remove the console. There are two I screws at the back on each side of the tunnel. You need to remove the ski slope, the radio, and iirc, the trip computer. There are two screws under the trip computer that hold the front end of the console. The cheek panels on the front sides come off with the screws that hold on the heater outlets. Pull the knobs off the heater controls to get to the slotted nuts underneath. A pointy pair of needle nose pliers can get them off. The control surround can then come off. It may be stuck to the console, but careful use of a plastic pry tool will get it off. I think you have the fiberoptic lighted surround, so be careful when you remove the panel. You can leave the fibreoptic cables attached and feed the panel thru the console when you remove it. The a/c ducts to the rear can just be pulled off the fittings at the front.

Good luck.
Jon

 

I got a used control switch on eBay and want to test it before I disassemble the console.

I’ve now got access to the rear of the old switch but can not figure out the release for the plug!!!

any tips here or a picture of the plug showing the release??

Thanks,
Rich

 

I got the plug off, but now I realize I’ve got the wrong control switch!!

The one in the car has a white body, a 12 pin connector and doesn’t have the tube for the rear vents. The black one that came from eBay has only an 8 pin connector and the rear vent tube…

I’m assuming the black is for a sedan / coupe and my convertible needs a different switch…

If you look at the pic in the above post, you can see corrosion on the top stud sticking thru the rear of the switch cover. This is leading me to believe the switch is indeed the culprit of my climate control issues.

Where can I find the correct part number for the convertible switch??

Thanks for any assistance!!
Rich