1997 Tracer/escort

[Boatwrench]

The a/c switch on my wife's 97 Mercury Tracer is inoperative, the detents are stripped and the switch sticks. to gain access to the switch this big oval panel that also holds the radio must be removed. I can't find any screws/fastners holding the plate onto the dash. There are four small holes, two each side, beside the radio. I was wondering if they are for acess to screws? The screwdriver would need to be one of those small jewler's type. Any suggestions? am I missing something? thanks,
Tom

 

[Jeff in VA]

Tom,
Those holes "could" be for detaching the faceplate of the HVAC unit, like they are for removing the radios in Ford's. My '94 Escort has 4 holes like that in the radio faceplate that you insert a special tool into which I didn't buy, and it pops each side loose. Two small diameter screwdrivers, small nails, or something similar will do the trick. Insert your weapon of choice into the holes on the same side at the same time about 1", then push them inwards (sideways, not furthur into the hole) and try pulling one side of the unit outward carefully until the fasstener disengages, then do the other side. It's hard to explain unless you see the spring fastener inside, which is what you're compressing.
I've got an el-cheapo Haynes manual I'll look at tonight to see if there's any pics to show you....
Jeff

 

[SouthernXJ]

You need to go to a stereo shop or a dealer. They have these long, wire hanger sized C shaped wires. They look like a U bolt on your rear end but smaller. They have small hooks in the end of some, some are flat.

You use one per side and the ends go in the holes. You push in till it clicks or stops, then you pull the things towards you, out comes that pannel.

They grab some metal tabs that the pannel is held in with, hook on, and allow you to pull it straight out.

 

[Jeff in VA]

Yup, that's the "special tool" I mentioned. I just ghetto-fabbed a solution with a couple small precision screwdrivers. I'd vote for buying the tool if you had to remove those faceplates/radios alot, tho....probably make your life alot easier
Jeff

 

[Boatwrench]

Thanks.
Cut up an old hanger and shoved into the holes to remove the radio pod which had the a/c switches. Thanks for the help.
Tom