Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance How the heck do I get to this panel?

The HIGH/LOW switch for my Heat and AC broke and needs to be replaced. The only problem is that I don't know how to get into the dash. I think I have to remove the center console but the parking brake and ATX shifter is in the way. Anyone got any ideas????

I'm not sure if you do have to remove the center console but if you do I have a 'How-To' written up I can post here or email to you.

is it the fan speed switch thats broke if it is it is under a recall... anyway all you have to do is pull like hell on the gray peice of plastic that surounds the radio/climate control. you might need to get a flat blad screw driver to pry up one of the lower corners to get your fingers in there to pull it. becareful around the ignition the little rubber gasket might get caught when you pull it out. and if you have a auto. you need to put the gear selector way back in 1st. to get it out of the way good luck its not realy all that hard. heck i take mine off every other week

where on the piece of plastic do I pull on, I'm not trying to break something while I'm fixing something else. I didn't see any spots to put a screwdriver. Are we talking about the same panel?

I was able to pry the trim back enough to use a ratchet with torx bit to remove the screw when I replaced my switch. I just removed a few screws below the radio and pulled on the trim. It has metal clips attached to plastic tabs. Just be careful not to pull too hard. Pull straight, otherwise you might break the plastic tabs that hold the metal clips.

I finally got the switch changed. I had to rip everything from the center console above. I was a pain in the @$$ but its all good now. The only problem I had was when I took the gear shifter off the wire to the O/D switch broke and I don't know how to fix it.

Your OD switch should be the same my 98. It's a very simple switch. The switch is basically to break the signal on the wire. I fed the two wires through the little hole(small needle nose pliers help)and soldered them back to the switch. It's actually pretty easy just not much room to pull the wires out away from the shifter.

you shouldnt have had to take out the cluster around the gear shifter. its just on panel put on by metal retaining clips. about 6 or 7 of them. i take mine of pretty regularly to run radio cell phone etc.. i cant believe you'd even have a problem start on the bottom left on the grey panel you really cant go wrong.. very odd that you had to take out the trim around your gear shifter. you dont have to remove tha center console at all. its totaly independent even on the 98+ cars. well they have two screws at the bottom of theres im think. anyway if the wires ar to short crimp on a few extra inches and then you have enough room to run them again.

ford fixed mine for free