I just pulled the dash to install a new heater core and evap. When I pulled the dash out a piece went flying. Anyone know where this belongs?
Removed dashboard on 02 TJ and now I need to identify this part
- Thread starter JeepManGood
- Start date
I did the same thing. It’s the door light switch. Yours broke off. You’ll probably find a spring somewhere too. Most likely the drivers side but could be passenger side also. It’s less than $10 on Amazon.
OP
I’m not that smart. I literally just replaced my evaporator and heater core and broke one on the drivers side when removing the dash. Side note….I didn’t pull the steering wheel. No need. Plenty of room to remove the HVAC box by simply using ratchet straps to hold it up and out of the way….but I did break the switch on the drivers side so have one on order.
OP
OP
I thought it was pretty easy. Much easier than some vehicles for sure! I had the old HVAC box out in about 1 hr. Since I don't want to do it again any time soon, I took my time to get everything right.
Vtx531
TJ Addict
Yes, just pop them out of the hole, unplug the connector off of the back of it and toss them in the back with the rest of the parts.
I've done at least 10, I will pay lots of money to see someone get the HVAC box out in an hour starting from nothing removed assuming we aren't brutalizing everything and just yanking it apart.
I thought an hour seemed pretty optimistic.
Then I wondered if it might be possible in a rig without A/C?
Then I wondered if it might be possible in a rig without A/C?
One of the easier repairs I have personally done on a vehicle. Not the easiest but not hard at all. I have heard all the horror stories about how bad it is….but it isn’t. Of course, people here claim drum brakes are hard….and they aren’t difficult either. It’s easy when you use power tools to loosen bolts and nuts. Realistically, there really isn’t much holding the dash in. Mine is a 2005 so I can’t speak for older ones but for my 2005, there is absolutely no need to remove the steering column. Couple ratchet straps to hold it up and you have plenty of room to work.
Now replacing the evaporator and condenser, that took more time and I took my time putting everything back together.
It’s really quite a simple repair. Maybe a difficult repair if one only has basic hand tools but I have a fully equipped shop with lots of tools many people would consider “specialty tools” so I always have a tool to remove a fastener no matter how tight of a place it’s in.
These TJs really are amazingly simple for an early/mid 2000s vehicle.
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As mentioned, removing it will work. In my case as likely the OPs case, the dash slipped a little on one side (drivers side in my case) while trying to get it up and out of the way. When it slipped, it broke off that switch. With two people, on on each side, you could easily do it without breaking the switch. I was working alone and, well it slipped.