1977 CJ7 heater switch replacement.

[1 BAD 7]

Thought this might be an easy pop out and pop in job...wrong. The switch is way up on the dash with everything in the world in it's way from below. Does the dash pad have to be removed to get to it from the top? Dan

 

[coldwater]

If you want to try to access it from the top, you will have to drop the windshield down, remove the dash pad, and pull the dash plate to get behind it.

 

[elwood blues]

Hello and welcome to the board

Exactly what coldwater said. You have to lower the windshield to get to the last four screws for the dash pad. That's probably the easiest way to get at it.

 

[Old Dog]

Before you go throu all that, are you sure the motor is working?

 

[1 BAD 7]

I am fairly mechanical and try to do my own work first. I am thinking there is no easy way to diagnose what is the REAL problem without a ton of work like dash removal and now...getting to a possible bad heater motor. In what order should I attempt to fix my situation. Silly me. Thought it was the switch. The motor never gave a hint of a problem...no noise issues. Thank you guys so much for your replies. All are welcome. Dan

 

[Old Dog]

on my 83 the wire for the heater motor plugs in at the firewall below the battery (you can see the heater motor sticking out). You could run a hot wire to it to see if it works or not.
Getting the dash panel out isn't that hard just takes some time to undue all the screws.

 

[1 BAD 7]

Thanks. I will start there! Dan

 

[CJ]

~~~ You could run a hot wire to it to see if it works or not. ~~~

Yep - jump start that motor...

 

[1 BAD 7]

Jumped the motor and it purred like a kitten. Does that switch sit above a channel? I stuck my fingers up there and felt a metal lip...not the switch as I hoped. Could the connector to the heater be a bit dirty? It looked a bit cruddy. Okay...I guess now what I need is the best way to get to that switch. Any help would be so appreciated. I'll do the work. Dan

 

[CJ]

If the motor runs it is the switch...

 

[KenB]

Dan,
Just replaced the heater switch on my 81 CJ7 .
Now I'm not a jeep guru by any means, but here's how I did it.
Lower the windshield, and remove the dash cover.
Remove the shroud around the steering column.
Remove all the screws for the dash plate.
I used a couple of bungee cords to support the dash, since the roll bar wouldn't let me pull it all the way. I disconnected the speedo cable to give me a little extra clearance.
Pull the top of the dash back, and it was easy access to R&R the switch without messing up any other wiring.

 

[CJ]

Perfect instructions..

 

[1 BAD 7]

Amazing...All that work just to get to the heater switch. Well, it has to get done! Thanks, guys for all the input. Dan

 

[1 BAD 7]

All is good!Once I jumped the motor, it runs perfectly. Might have been a loose connection. Thanks all.

 

[IOPort51]

I hate it when things fix themselves, it makes me look bad.

 

[1 BAD 7]

Yeah...it was really wierd. But I do have a totally functioning heater, switch etc. I thank the Jeep Gods for healing my jeep! Dan