How do the cables that control the heater vents (up, down, both) and the heat/cool cables get adjusted???

I was removing the last bits of my A/C system from the center console and either the wires got loose from the knobs or from their holders, because I turn the knobs and can see the whole cable moving and not the inside cable (if this doesn't make sense, the knobs move the cable, but it doesn't control the vents, if I close them by hand the knobs do not open them)

another thing, the fan speed doesn't work since I disconnected the A/C and I don't want to freeze in winter. Do you know how the original worked? was it a potentiometer style or how did it control speed? If I can't get it to work I'll gettho build a different switch......

It may not be original E21, but I am building a rally style center console with switches for the high beams, fogs, rear fog, fan, and it should look cool. Like the one on the McLaren F1 GTR (but instead of carbon fiber, its balsa wood and fiberglass.... I said ghetto)

My cables move around too. I need to fix them. They dont move the inside because if I turn my knob to close the vent, it doesn't stay. it slowly creeps back down. I think the cables have to be in a perfect spot to work.

About the AC removal. There should be a long strand of wiring all together that splits off in various areas. One end should fit perfectly to a part of the heater and make it work. I remember taking that out thinking I was removing all the AC parts. But if you look on your Heater behind the center consol. There is a flat black surface with a female input I beleive. You just find that match on the the strand of AC connectors and connect it in, and it should work.

I have the opposite problem, one of my cables broke and is now too short so it's not long enough to change the flapper all the way so I'm stuck 1/2 way in between defrost and floor or all the way on defrost.....

I have the opposite problem, one of my cables broke and is now too short so it's not long enough to change the flapper all the way so I'm stuck 1/2 way in between defrost and floor or all the way on defrost.....

You can fix this with parts from a hobby store. You need the connectors for servo linkages that R/C cars/planes use. They are little collars with a set screw, get 2 of them and you can reconnect the cables. Should be no more than $3.

Pat, not sure exactly how you would tighten the cables, I have torn mine apart before and never saw any way to tighten them except for actually shortening the cables themselves.

As far as the bolsa wood goes, if you have any extra cash laying around may I suggest Dragon Plate (http://dragonplate.com/) for sheets of premade carbon fiber. Me and a buddy did a computer case for a client and the material is absolutly perfect. You can even buy veneer sheets that can wrap around a 2" radius.

thanks CJ, that is a good idea, pre-made CF boards. I may look into that....

Actually is not tightening the cables, I want to affix them to something so the outer casing stays secure and the inside cable moves. I thought the cables fell off the knobs, but looking around underneath the dash i see whole cables move and the levers at the floor, dash vents, and defrost don't move. The same with the heater valve cable.