Anyone else have theirs break? I did a search on here for "****" but got no hits in the 2nd gen section. I want to order a new one, hopefully its available separately. Anyone know the part number? I need the one that controls the temperature output.

Thanks.

John

 

John, my top, A/C-Heat-Defrost **** also broke recently... I did discover the other day that in my '97 they both appear to be the same *****.
I had been using a tiny crescent wrench to turn the shaft to defrost etc.
I was at a long redlight and on a whim I pulled the other **** off and stuck it onto the top shaft... Voila!

I plan to go to the junkyard and pick up a couple or three ***** from junkers when I have time.
Right now, I have so many things going on it may be summertime before I'll have time to make it there.
Even if they are cracked but not completely broken, I'll cover the barrel of the **** with a piece of heat-shrink tubing to help reinforce the high quality plastic it is made of.. The little metal "D" shaped sleeve applies constant outward force on the plastic barrel and over the years, it helps it crack.

 

I do not know what yr it changed , but I had one of mine break , went to junk yard , grabbed one off a truck that was at least a few yrs newer , the outside diameter was smaller on the newer one , it fits the shaft for control , but does not cover the back lite , so keeping an eye out for the right size , I did notice that the plastic that goes around the control shaft is thicker , so better .

 

The early second gen used a boden cable to control the blend door then they switched to electric. I'm not sure if the ***** are the same. I guess so long as you have your truck with you, you could try it to make sure it fits.

 

The ***** are available from the dealer for under $10.
After having a couple break I reinforced the shaft of the **** with a 1/4" length of copper tubing that slipped tight over outside of the **** shaft.
Sorry, don't remember the tubing size but that's easy to figure out.
This also worked well on one that was already cracked, no need for a new one.
No more breaks in over ten years.

 

I'll give that a try this week.

Thanks everyone!

John

 

Mine broke this year when it was real cold. I JB welded it back together, but it didn't last long. I guess I'll try to see how to beef one up a bit.

 

I somehow managed to lose the old (broken) one. If I still had it I'd give the copper tubing trick a try.

John

 

I went to the junkyard here in Auburn WA today. Of the 8 2nd Gens the heater select **** was missing on all of them. A very popular item.

The problem I have is that the **** is still intact but there seems to be a ring that goes behind the **** that is missing. The Dodge parts guy said it was part of the backing plate. The way it is now, the instrument lights are quite bright through this opening.