S3 heater control cable

[geo59]

Can anyone advise if the front panel can be removed from the dashboard to allow a new cable to be fitted between the temperature slide and the valve on the bulkhead?
The cable was stuck, I removed it to lubricate and get it sliding which it did, unfortunately right up inside the outer sleeve!

[v8s4me]

Yes it can, but you'll wish you'd never asked. Which model is it?

[geo59]

It’s a 1990 S3c, if it involves major work I’ll join it behind the bulkhead.
I was rather hoping it would pop out without searching for hidden bolts and taking half the car to bits

[v8s4me]

geo59 said:

................I was rather hoping it would pop out without searching for hidden bolts and taking half the car to bits

Sorry. It's a buer of a job but a bit of a rite of passage in TVR ownership. Lots of us have done it and there's lots of threads on here to help you. This is my thread to get you started but there's lots others to choose from.

Have fun

[geo59]

I’m on my 7th TVR and my second ‘S’ over the last 20 odd years so not too much surprises me on them anymore.
I’ll go with the improvise a repair option I think!
Thanks for the pointers though

[tvrgit]

Do it once, do it right. It's fiddly but not that hard. Stock up on elastoplasts first though.

Full instructions here:

http://www.andrewc.org.uk/tvrgit/dashpanels.html

(This explains how to get the panels off and get the heater controls out - I didn't change the heater control cable, but once you've got that far, the cable should be easy.)

[geo59]

Andrew,
I read your article and having looked at the other one in the thread I’m yet to be convinced I want to start fishing about behind the dash even with my skinny arms.
The veneer is somewhat distressed but I’ve a replacement facia to overfit so I’ve options on how to do it.
I’ll maybe catch up with you sometime before I do any more on it.
Regards
George (Rowe)

[tvrgit]

geo59 said:

Andrew,
I read your article and having looked at the other one in the thread I’m yet to be convinced I want to start fishing about behind the dash even with my skinny arms.
The veneer is somewhat distressed but I’ve a replacement facia to overfit so I’ve options on how to do it.
I’ll maybe catch up with you sometime before I do any more on it.
Regards
George (Rowe)

AAAaaaah! Are you my "mystery texter" from last week? Sorry I couldn't figure out who it was!

It's not that hard - even "shovel-hands" Dave can do it.

[geo59]

I am your ‘stalker’ yes.
I must have had your number in case I got lost on our run out when I had Jim’s old motor, only dawned on me when I scrolled past your name that we were sporting similar cars now.

[v8s4me]

geo59 said:

I’m on my 7th TVR and my second ‘S’ over the last 20 odd years so not too much surprises me on them anymore.....

You can't call your self a "real" TVR owner until you've removed an 'S' dash

Winter is coming so why not have it off and get the veneer done? You can always ask Santa for osteopath vouchers for Christmas.

[RayTVR]

Its not 'too bad' - just need to be logical

This may help

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[phillpot]

Rip it all out and do it proper

And while you have access put a spot of oil on the fan motor bearings and changed the 30 year old hoses going to the heater (not just the easy bits in the engine bay)

You could also look at the diverter flap that sends warm air to screen or interior. Mine was such a poor seal that air took the easy route to the screen even when it was supposed to be going to the vacuum cleaner pipes that feed the 'eyeballs' in the footwells.

[geo59]

Sound advice, thanks.
I’ve only just bought the car so I’ll probably drive it for a few weeks and see where the priorities lie

[Fefeu52]

In fact, there is an easy solution if you know somebody to 3D print parts in ABS. You just have to break it by pushing it through the dash panel. After that will be easy to disconnect the cables. And you modify the heater control dash to be able to fasten it by the outside. I did that when refurbishing my dashboard.





If you want, I give you the 3D file to print.

[v8s4me]

phillpot said:

...... changed the 30 year old hoses going to the heater........

Old Dyson pipes are perfect for the job. More stretchy and flexible than the cheaper ones.

[geo59]

I’ll keep that option in mind thanks.
I’ve a dash panel to fit and I’m thinking along the lines of cutting it out and changing the cable that way after which I could refit as you’ve done.
The purists won’t approve but taking into account the advise on hoses etc I might do the strip out, proper job !!