1982 C3 ac/heat vent slider problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 68
From: Greensboro NC
1982 C3 ac/heat vent slider problem
Hello All,
I have a 1982 C3 and I am having a problem with the ac/heat vent slider (the top slider) on the control panel. The temperature slider works great. Nice and cold when set to cold and hot when moved to the right. The problem is the ac/heat always blows through the face vents. The top slider is stuck at the "AC Max" position. It will not move to the right at all so I cant change the air direction to defrost for example. I'm wondering if I should just simply replace the control unit or if there is something else going on. Have not had a chance yet to remove the control panel or review the AIM. Just curious if anyone out there had any ideas concerning what could be causing this or have experienced this problem before? I am a novice mechanic so I may have to farm out the repair. Many thanks to those that can help.
I have a 1982 C3 and I am having a problem with the ac/heat vent slider (the top slider) on the control panel. The temperature slider works great. Nice and cold when set to cold and hot when moved to the right. The problem is the ac/heat always blows through the face vents. The top slider is stuck at the "AC Max" position. It will not move to the right at all so I cant change the air direction to defrost for example. I'm wondering if I should just simply replace the control unit or if there is something else going on. Have not had a chance yet to remove the control panel or review the AIM. Just curious if anyone out there had any ideas concerning what could be causing this or have experienced this problem before? I am a novice mechanic so I may have to farm out the repair. Many thanks to those that can help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
The selector lever directly operates a rotary switch that gives vacuum to various motors. It's a simple mechanism that shouldn't lock. The problem could be as simple as some sort of obstruction. Even at worst it can't be too bad as the parts are easily available and reasonably easy to access.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
Your rotary switch is probably broken. Normal issue as they're poorly designed. Willcox probably sells their OE replacement by the gross. I replaced mine with one four years ago and still going strong.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 68
From: Greensboro NC
Thanks all for the advice. I finally got around to this job and after switching out the panel everything works great now. Yippie!!! From front to back on this car everything now works perfect.
