sticky temp control buttons

[farmlade]

My temperature control buttons on my 1999 Legacy Outback are very sticky.  It looks like I have to take off the panel covering them.  I found a description of how to do this - take out screws and then "wiggle" off - but my upper panel won't wiggle off and I am afraid of breaking it.  Please help - this is one of the reasons my husband wants me to get a new car but mine is working just fine and has a lot of miles yet to go - I hope.

Edited January 19, 2017 by farmlade

[wtdash]

Hi,

If you think it's just due to something getting spilled on the buttons -thanks to the location of the cupholder - you can spray some cleaner/degreaser (like 409) into the buttons, let it soak, then vacuum it back out....I'm not suggesting a 'bath' more like a sprinkle....maybe repeat 2 times.

 

Recommend REMOVING the Negative battery cable BEFORE doing this so there's no power to anything...and letting it air dry after vacuuming. 

 

This has worked for me on a few occasions.

 

GL,

TD

 

P.s. headgaskets been done?

Edited January 19, 2017 by wtdash

[gbhrps]

farmlade,

 

Put masking tape over the blade of a flat bladed screwdriver (to keep from scratching the plastic) and pry out the top corners of the dash surround panel. It will pop out after you have the bottom two screws removed. Take your time and you won't break it, as it is a press fit along the top, but stubborn since its been there for 18 years.

 

I agree with Subaru Nut about not wanting to get moisture into the switch contacts and causing short circuits. So disconnecting the battery will save headaches if moisture gets into something it shouldn't. Once the surround is off, remove the screws from the HVAC control and it will pull out from the dash about 10 inches. Reach behind and unclip the wiring harnesses into its back.

 

Note: There will be a black cable that comes out of the back of the unit, that goes to the blend door of the heater box. You could remove it from the heater box, but you might be better to just leave it as is. Put a towel on your dash under the control to catch moisture and prevent scratches to plastic parts.

 

From an auto supply store buy some "electrical contact cleaner spray". Its a fluid that will clean the buttons, remove the pop/coffee residue and then will evaporate.

 

I suggest in this case, to spray some on an ink blotter and then run the corner of the blotter around the outside edges of each button. Repeat until the buttons move freely. If that doesn't do the trick, spray the buttons, while you hold the control panel facing the floor (allows the liquid to run out of the unit rather than into it) and onto the towel. Quickly press the buttons in turn until they free up.

 

Then wait 5 minutes to ensure the fluid has evaporated. Plug the contol harness back in, start the car and try things out. If that does the trick, replace the unit in the dash, etc.

 

Should you still have an issue, there are several on eBay from $45 -$100 that you can swap in pretty quickly, after you trace that black cable to the heater box.

 

What you're trying to do is not rocket science, so go for it girl! I've done many of these type fixes with terrific results over the years, and I've saved a pile of money. As for keeping the car/ buying a new one .... I'm on your side. Why spend money if you don't have to? Good Luck.