Heater Knob Not Working - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

MagicMexican · 10-15-2018, 04:23 PM

A few months ago my climate control knob started getting 'stiff'. If I went from cold to hot, it would freeze up, then I would have to back it off a bit back to lukewarm, then I could go to full hot.
Then the knob stopped working yesterday, there was no resistance to it, I could just spin from hot to cold but the air was still lukewarm.
I took it apart and found that there's two wires on it that are supposed to go in a groove in the knob and they had fallen out. I put them back in correctly, and thought it was fixed, but it fell out again later on that day.
Has anyone had this happen, is this a known issue or is there a fix...?

I did some searching and found that the part is Subaru 72331CA030, it's only $25 but I'm not sure how far back it goes into the dash, I'd rather not have to tear it part even further, especially if it's just going to happen again.

RZNT4R · 10-15-2018, 06:44 PM

Control cables are usually accessible behind the glove box or above the gas pedal. Shouldn't be a big deal.

speedy racer · 01-04-2020, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicMexican

A few months ago my climate control knob started getting 'stiff'. If I went from cold to hot, it would freeze up, then I would have to back it off a bit back to lukewarm, then I could go to full hot.
Then the knob stopped working yesterday, there was no resistance to it, I could just spin from hot to cold but the air was still lukewarm.
I took it apart and found that there's two wires on it that are supposed to go in a groove in the knob and they had fallen out. I put them back in correctly, and thought it was fixed, but it fell out again later on that day.
Has anyone had this happen, is this a known issue or is there a fix...?

I did some searching and found that the part is Subaru 72331CA030, it's only $25 but I'm not sure how far back it goes into the dash, I'd rather not have to tear it part even further, especially if it's just going to happen again.

My 2013 Scion FRS Ac temperature control did not function so I dismantle the AC control panel and found that the piano wire had came off track on that plastic spool. I had to anchor that brass end and put the wire back in. Then I noticed the cable where it is anchored down was not secured so I cut a plastic hotel key and tape it to the cable where it attaches to stabilize it and keep it straight so it would be less resistance. I also tape up the spool that the piano wire will not pop out again. There is a youtube video on a 2009 Corolla Ac repair. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9D70&FORM=VIRE

Crispy Albino · 06-25-2022, 07:07 PM

I had the exact same thing happen to mine. I just bought a new instrument panel off ebay and I’m about to install it now.

Ultramaroon · 06-25-2022, 08:44 PM

In my first year of ownership I noticed, and commented here that both temp and direction controls became noticeably stiffer with the blower running. I developed a habit of shutting off the blower before making adjustments.

This decreases internal wear on the solid control cables and links.

EndlessAzure · 06-26-2022, 03:33 AM

Dust also collects in the knob at the control face as well, which can cause them to bind. A little disassembly/compressed air/spray grease can help loosen them

speedy racer · 03-18-2025, 11:52 PM

I’m in the process of replacing the temperature cable, it’s easily accessible, just drop the glove box. The cable is only $50 and just snaps in place.

EndlessAzure · 03-20-2025, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy racer

I’m in the process of replacing the temperature cable, it’s easily accessible, just drop the glove box. The cable is only $50 and just snaps in place.

how did you get the gear off without breaking anything

speedy racer · 03-25-2025, 06:36 PM

Just snaps off, I used a little pick tool, I just replaced it today. Turn on your engine, turn the dial to highest heat, snap the big part in, then turn the temperature knob to maximum heat and snap the smaller white part in, it should be good to go. Stealership would probably charge at least 1k! Don’t turn the temperature knob while the bower is on, it puts more resistance on the cable, my cable was falling apart on both wheels.

speedy racer · 03-26-2025, 12:51 PM

https://gt86stuff.onrender.com/t3Por..._rm_index.html

10-15-2018, 04:23 PM	#1
MagicMexican Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium Location: Colorado Posts: 12 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Heater Knob Not Working A few months ago my climate control knob started getting 'stiff'. If I went from cold to hot, it would freeze up, then I would have to back it off a bit back to lukewarm, then I could go to full hot. Then the knob stopped working yesterday, there was no resistance to it, I could just spin from hot to cold but the air was still lukewarm. I took it apart and found that there's two wires on it that are supposed to go in a groove in the knob and they had fallen out. I put them back in correctly, and thought it was fixed, but it fell out again later on that day. Has anyone had this happen, is this a known issue or is there a fix...? I did some searching and found that the part is Subaru 72331CA030, it's only $25 but I'm not sure how far back it goes into the dash, I'd rather not have to tear it part even further, especially if it's just going to happen again.

06-25-2022, 08:44 PM	#5
Ultramaroon not playing cards Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 32,396 Thanks: 53,053 Thanked 37,225 Times in 19,308 Posts Mentioned: 1117 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	In my first year of ownership I noticed, and commented here that both temp and direction controls became noticeably stiffer with the blower running. I developed a habit of shutting off the blower before making adjustments. This decreases internal wear on the solid control cables and links. __________________ service manuals

03-25-2025, 06:36 PM	#9
speedy racer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 92 lexus sc300 > whiteout MT FRS Location: charlotte nc Posts: 220 Thanks: 38 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just snaps off, I used a little pick tool, I just replaced it today. Turn on your engine, turn the dial to highest heat, snap the big part in, then turn the temperature knob to maximum heat and snap the smaller white part in, it should be good to go. Stealership would probably charge at least 1k! Don’t turn the temperature knob while the bower is on, it puts more resistance on the cable, my cable was falling apart on both wheels. Last edited by speedy racer; 03-25-2025 at 07:52 PM. Reason: Upload pictures

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10-15-2018, 06:44 PM	#2
RZNT4R Professional Mechanic Join Date: Apr 2010 Drives: 2017 86 6MT Oceanic Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 789 Thanks: 17 Thanked 634 Times in 371 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Control cables are usually accessible behind the glove box or above the gas pedal. Shouldn't be a big deal.

06-25-2022, 07:07 PM	#4
Crispy Albino Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: Hot Lava FRS w/ Five-AD aero kit Location: Northridge Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had the exact same thing happen to mine. I just bought a new instrument panel off ebay and I’m about to install it now.

03-18-2025, 11:52 PM	#7
speedy racer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 92 lexus sc300 > whiteout MT FRS Location: charlotte nc Posts: 220 Thanks: 38 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I’m in the process of replacing the temperature cable, it’s easily accessible, just drop the glove box. The cable is only $50 and just snaps in place.

03-26-2025, 12:51 PM	#10
speedy racer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 92 lexus sc300 > whiteout MT FRS Location: charlotte nc Posts: 220 Thanks: 38 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	https://gt86stuff.onrender.com/t3Por..._rm_index.html

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