97-98 Climate Controls Not Sliding Smoothly

[JoshJ04]

Hey, guys. I have a '97 TJ with the slider climate controls. The top slider is hard to move and the bottom slider is hard to move and doesn't move into the blue all the way. I just want to change the zone or temperature without worrying about snapping the slider off.

I have taken the dash apart and fixed the cable behind it but it is still not working the best.

Any tips on how to fix this?

 

[MichaelGH]

When I was having issues with mine I took the panel out, cleaned the sliders as much as possible (spraying electric contact cleaner into every point I could) and lubed the sliders very well (lithium grease If I remember correctly). I worked the lube in as much possible by running the sliders back and forth repeatedly and reapplied lube a few times. It got much better. Wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t feel like they were going to break anymore...

 

[AndyG]

I agree with the above and I would lube the cables (bike shops sell a tool by motion pro) and the what the operate...dirt bike chain lube is non tacky, helps for for open parts.

 

[Gollywomper]

Mine had a kink in the cable. I straightened it, add a bit of super glue for some added rigidness. Sounds silly, but hey it worked. Then lubed the cables really good. No issues yet a couple years later.

 

[ColoJeep]

Not a 97-98 TJ , but on my 80 K-20 cleaned the cables and controls with brake clean
then let it flash off. Lube the controls and cables HEAVY with silicone spray while working the controls.
The silicone also flashes off but leaves a slick film that is dry and won't attract dust.
Take it from someone who drives on dirt the majority of the time, this works!
Everything else will work for a little while, then is sticky and drags.
If you are always on pavement, except for occasional wheelin then all most anything will work.