Removing heater knobs on a 409

[LarryW]

I'm in the process of removing my dash and I'm wondering how to remove the two heater control knobs. I see two holes on each knob and assume there is a pin holding them in. But before I start pounding, I thought I had better check with someone more familiar. Thanks in advance.

[John Keighley]

Originally Posted by LarryW

I'm in the process of removing my dash and I'm wondering how to remove the two heater control knobs. I see two holes on each knob and assume there is a pin holding them in. But before I start pounding, I thought I had better check with someone more familiar. Thanks in advance.

Yes you assume correctly Larry, there is a pin in each of the holes that has to be removed first.

[Kevin H]

John, how does one remove the "pin" ?

[LarryW]

http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/6...dashboard.html

http://www.bristolcars.info/forums/8...eries-3-a.html

It appears there is a spring-loaded retaining pin.

[Kevin H]

There is indeed a hexagonal shaft with a spring loaded pin on the 411, which you need to push in - I used a small allen key to do so. See attached photo.

I assumed the 409 was different given John's comment about removing a pin.

[LarryW]

Got them off. Thank you! I assume the two smaller knobs are removed with a simple screw. (mine are corroded away).

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by LarryW

Got them off. Thank you! I assume the two smaller knobs are removed with a simple screw. (mine are corroded away).

Larry, it pains me to say that I don't have a picture of the 409 heater controls (given that the 409 was the first Bristol I ever drove), so I'm not sure what smaller knobs you refer to - my 411 only has two.


Perhaps you could post a picture of yours?

[PEU186F]

From long distant memory, which aligns with some photos I happen to have of a catalogue of Lucas rotary switches of the period, the wiper motor switch and the panel light rheostat also utilise spring loaded pins. From more recent memory the selectaride switch (did the 409 have selectaride) used a screw fixing.

Have plenty of labels handy if you have to disconnect any wires, the wiper motor switch is a particular nightmare if any get ever confused.

While you are at it, if you ever want to see the instruments in the dark, may I recommend changing the instrument lighting bulbs for LEDs. I found that if one leaves the filament bulbs in the lighting above the heater controls and other switches their current drain is sufficient to allow the original panel light rheostat to dim the instrument light LEDs, whereas if you change all to LEDs it probably won't and you'll also have to change the rheostat to retain dimming.

Changing the interior light to an LED is also much recommended.

Roger

[LarryW]

One knob is the wiper speed control and the other is labeled C.

[Kevin H]

Sorry about the delay in responding Larry. On my 411 the two knobs are panel lighting (see photo attached) and wiper control. I just checked and as Roger rightly says, they do have spring loaded pins like the heater control knobs.

[LarryW]

An unusual request: My wiper know is off but it's cracked unfortunately. I've located a replacement at Spencer Lane-Jones but they don't ship to the US. Would anyone be willing to have the knob shipped to him and then forward it on to me? I can pay for it and cover your postage etc. if you have a Paypal account. You can reach me at robinlarry@aol.com.

[Giles]

Hi Larry

Have you tried just putting “wiper knob” into ebay?

If yours says “press for washer” it’s the same as one for an Aston. Otherwise, it’s the same as some Jaguars.

I had the same issue as you - I broke the one on my 408 - and just got a replacement from eBay.

[peter dowdle]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ASTON-MA...0AAOSwpDdU24Vd

Check this site out

[LarryW]

Thank you! I just purchased a brand new Jaguar knob matching my broken one.