Club 80-90 Forums

There is a mushroom type of thing on one of my heat exchanger outlets, with an arm that is controlled by the hot/cold lever on the dash.My qustion is this-I only have one on the nearside, and the none on the offside-is this correct or should there be 2? And my control cable isn't connected to it and won't quite reach, but there is another bracket next to it, that is a bit closer to the arm. From what I can make out of my German language manual, the outer one is for the 2 ltr like mine, and the innner closer one is for the 1600. Is this correct, and how hard is it to change the heater control cable if a piece has snapped off? Thanks in anticipation. I think I know the answers, but I'd like to make sure before I order any bits!!

There should be a heat control pod on each side with the cables attached to the arms. They are a bit rust prone and are often left off with the resultant cold passengers and misty screen. Changing the cables is not too bad if a bit fiddly. It is certainly nice to get it all working like it should.
Here's what they should look like (the pod/aka flapper thingy is just the black bit):

Sorry the pic is so small - it's Just Kampers fault!

Thanks. I take it somewhere down the line the two cables join together? I haven't got a Haynes manual yet, but I might crawl under it later and see what I can see. Although none of the four sliding heater controls seems to work. Either the cables seem to be seized and bent, or just not connected. Oh well, I'd better get it done before winter sets in-although it's about 20 degrees and sunny outside! A friend who had a T25 said the only source of heat he had in the winter was to light both burners on his hob, whilst driving.......................

Yes, the cables come together at/near the control levers - take the ashtray out or even the radio to get better access - and you can take the front panel off the heater controls - take care cos it's a bit fragile - there's a couple of push-in pegs holding it in place but you need to take the plastic lever-ends off first - they just slide off (stiffly and watch out for them coming off in a rush and your breaking the cover panel they slot through)
The lever mechanism will detach with a couple of big screws I seem to remember - might give you more room to play with. You can then detach the cable ends and push them thro to behind the front grille - then you can figure out if they/which one is moving or jammed. They are solid, thin rod type cables - they have to push as well as pull and are therefore prone to siezing/jamming/getting bent. New ones are a good bet - lube before fitting. You will prob need a fitting kit for connecting to the flapper pod arms.