Removing A/C control unit from dash

[Reaction1]

Does anyone know how to remove the climate control unit out of a 2005 997? The temperature and fan speed levers are worn and look pretty bad. I want to remove the unit to strip and repaint them.

[therock88]

Hi...Got this from a website and converted to PDF. Should be all you need to remove any pieces of the center dash.

Good Luck.

DC

Porsche 997 PCM Removal.pdf

[halsyknox]

Hi...Got this from a website and converted to PDF. Should be all you need to remove any pieces of the center dash.

Good Luck.

DC

That's good stuff

[mghorayeb]

Great stuff, but how about getting the sticky temperature and fan controls out of the unit (to get stripped and repainted)?

[PAULSPEED]

You may want to leave them in to get them

painted.

Paul

[Joel Pirela]

It's pretty easy to take the unit apart if you are careful and pay attention. 4 external screws and 4 internal screws. since you are only taking the two rotating switches, it should be pretty easy.

[mghorayeb]

Hi again,

Went to a local Porsche mechanic and picked up 2 A/C control units (one for me and one for a friend) - these were the only 2 good ones left. Like new, $350 each (new dealer price is $800 here, and I can only get 10% off that). Had mine installed ($45 at the dealer), and it works 100%, so my interior is looking sweet. Now I want to take the old one apart, strip the 2 offending buttons, and repaint them. Does anyone have a step-by-step (hopefully with pics) guide on how to do this? I had read somewhere that oven cleaner is the best thing to strip them (but messy). Anyone have any recommendation for repainting? They don't have to be rubberized. I was told that airplane model enamel is good, but was thinking about spray-on primer, and then spray paint from the local hardware store...Last resort is shipping to Sticky No More in the US.

[Joel Pirela]

Hi Mark, see my post above yours. To take the AC apart, you first remove it from the car, place it on a table and remove 4 torx screws to separate the front panel of the unit from the back. After that, you just remove 4 more screws for the circuit board. Then you have the front face with all the buttons. Press some tiny tabs from the inside and full from the front. That's the way to remove the 2 main switches from the unit to get them painted...

[therock88]

Hi again,

Went to a local Porsche mechanic and picked up 2 A/C control units (one for me and one for a friend) - these were the only 2 good ones left. Like new, $350 each (new dealer price is $800 here, and I can only get 10% off that). Had mine installed ($45 at the dealer), and it works 100%, so my interior is looking sweet. Now I want to take the old one apart, strip the 2 offending buttons, and repaint them. Does anyone have a step-by-step (hopefully with pics) guide on how to do this? I had read somewhere that oven cleaner is the best thing to strip them (but messy). Anyone have any recommendation for repainting? They don't have to be rubberized. I was told that airplane model enamel is good, but was thinking about spray-on primer, and then spray paint from the local hardware store...Last resort is shipping to Sticky No More in the US.

Hi again,

Went to a local Porsche mechanic and picked up 2 A/C control units (one for me and one for a friend) - these were the only 2 good ones left. Like new, $350 each (new dealer price is $800 here, and I can only get 10% off that). Had mine installed ($45 at the dealer), and it works 100%, so my interior is looking sweet. Now I want to take the old one apart, strip the 2 offending buttons, and repaint them. Does anyone have a step-by-step (hopefully with pics) guide on how to do this? I had read somewhere that oven cleaner is the best thing to strip them (but messy). Anyone have any recommendation for repainting? They don't have to be rubberized. I was told that airplane model enamel is good, but was thinking about spray-on primer, and then spray paint from the local hardware store...Last resort is shipping to Sticky No More in the US.

If you are going to paint these and want it to adhere, I suggest going to a paint supply store and buying a "Plastic Adhesion Promoter". You apply two coats, then primer, then paint, and it will really hold up well.

Good luck...

DC

[mghorayeb]

Thanks Joel and DC,

Gave the part to my trusty BMW motorcycle mechanic - he has patience, better eyes, smaller fingers, and a Torx set. The unit is apart and he almost has the knobs out. It seems like the old covering will just scrape off, but worst case I will use oven cleaner (read on a blog somewhere that it's effective but messy). Seems like the repainting will be the challenge. I may send them back stateside to Robbie at StickyNoMore (but at $50 per set for paint, plus shipping both ways, doing it myself is tempting). I'll let you know how it works out (now my friend wants me to repair and sell his old one too), and hopefully eventually post pics of the finished job.

Found out yesterday when I was trying to register my motorbike that I received a recent citation for dangerous driving in the 911 (total BS), and had to pay a $300 fine and a further $700 to keep my car out of the sandy impound lot (they wanted the car held for a month!). So much for working here because we are not taxed...there's always a solution if you're willing to pay. Hopefully nobody clocked or filmed me doing 277kph last Saturday - I think she'll do 295 given some space to stretch her legs.