the defrost vents???, they should, but proably won't give you much extra access though, cause the ducts will be right below the surface, anyways have you tried one of those 3-clawwed lost nut grabbers, that might be able to do it, or removing the windshield would give you a striaght shot at it, but still much rather remove the dash though, and leave the sealant and such intact

 

yeah the defrost vents. I was wondering if I popped out the drivers side vent if I could push the sensor though that bigger hole.

 

proably not, as said the ducting will be right there, so no room for your finger to reach in, but anyways it should pop right up (maybe not, not 100% sure though, too many cars )

 

I have half a mind to just pull the sensor cover off the new sensor and just glue it to the dash. lmao cause I dont have the time or patience to pull apart the dash for this stupid sensor.

 

do want you want, your car, but know that the sensor/hvac system won't work correctly

but yeah a pain in the ass sensor to replace when it has no cover to hook onto

 

That was one time.

OP - Fix it right the first time. If you put off doing it the right way and go the superglue route you will slowly concede to doing that on every aspect of your car at which point it becomes a tri-colored hunk resembling friesm's vehicles.

 

do you think its working properly now with the old sensor exposed?

 

I do wanna fix it right but pulling the dash feels like overkill for this. I just want to yank that old sensor out and plug the new one in.

im trying to think of something I can stick in the hole to maybe pry it out.

 

You have the new sensor right? I doubt there is but is there any metal on the new sensor? If so use one of those extendable magnets to get the old one. Otherwise find two skinny rods and have a friend hold a mirror like the dentists use and try to pinch it to bring it up. There isn't really a textbook maneuver for this I don't think.

 

better then being stuff down in the opening

so is it just not snapping out as needed, or is it like pushed down into the opening so you can retrieve it (a pic would help explain it easier)

 

still better then your rainbow colored car :gheywave:

 

It wont snap out because since it lost the black rectangular cover the square part has fallen into the hole.

 

 

How much slack is there in the wires? I hate to say this but as a last resort if there's enough slack very carefully use those to maneuver the unit out.

Friesm I think I've got you and then you pull out those damn smileys..

 

try getting like a hook or something, hook onto those wires, just don't pull to hard though, the wiring can be pulled apart, but probably your bast chance though of gettint it out though

 

How did you progress with getting the sensor out? I have exactly the same issue that I ended up spending 8 hours on where the dash was on its way out when I ran out of time to work on it.

I'm open for any suggestion on how to pull the old sensor out.

Thanks.

 

I have the exact same problem with my 2002 TL. Top plate of sensor is off and the rest of the assembly is down in the small rectangular hole. I've tried everything to get it out. Has anyone been successful?

 

I found that using a 10" curved heomostat does the trick. The tool fits perfectly in the holes around the sensor (around the glass/plastic part of the sensor) and allow it to be pulled right out. A 5 minute job with the right tool that only took several hours/months to find.

Where did I find this "jewel"? At Harbor Freight.

Part #65711
Tool Name: HEAMOSTAT PEAN CLAMP 10" CURVED
SKU: 7 92363 65711 2
Cost: approx 10$
Overall Value: priceless

I hope that helps you.

 

First, thanks to all the previous posters who led me in the right direction. I had the same empty rectangular hole and a black rectangular plastic cover lying on the dash. Laid it over the hole but it just slides around. After reading your posts, dug around in the hold with bent needlenose pliars. There are a couple of square holes on either side of the glass eye where you can dig in. (Doing this on a really cloudy day is helpful, as you can see the reflection of what you are doing in the windshield.) You can pull the sensor out an inch or two without putting undue strain on the wires. Turns out there's a spring clip on both long sides of the sensor, which accounts for why it seems too big to come through the dash, but it will.

Residue from some previously tacky substance was on both the sensor and the cover where they obviously fit together. I cleaned them, put some quick-set glue on the cover, applied the cover to the sensor, let it set up and shoved the whole works back into the hole. Voila.

Couldn't have done it without this 'zine, very helpful.