Models up to 1983
1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.
2. Remove the handles from the heater control panel.
3. Remove the cigarette lighter and pull out the cigarette lighter housing, first turning it until it stops. Disconnect wiring from cigarette lighter.
4. Remove the cigarette lighter mounting ring and pull out the heater control panel.
5. Pull out the blower rheostat and disconnect the wires from it.
6. The rheostat is installed in the reverse order. When reinstalling the cigarette lighter housing, make sure that the groove on it aligns with the protrusion on the mounting ring.
Release models since 1983
1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.
2. Remove the lower casing of the steering column, which is attached with 5 screws. Remove the 2 exposed screws to release the side trim of the heater control panel. The side trim on the other side of the panel is released by removing 2 screws from the passenger side (through "glove box").
3. Remove the 2 center vent inserts by pushing them out from the top and from the inside. Remove the ashtray and the coin compartment.
4. Remove the 4 screws around the clock hole (see b/fig. 12.114). Remove the handles from the heater panel. Remove the front panel.
5. Remove the 3 screws securing the top of the heater control panel. Tilt the panel towards you and pull it out of the two lower latches (see pictures).
6. Disconnect the rheostat wires at the multi-pin connector using a small screwdriver. Remove rheostat.
7. The rheostat is installed in the reverse order.