Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: Hyundai Air Condition Switch Stuck In, hyundai elantra, 2000 hyundai elantra

Question
Hi, I recently purchased a 2000 Hyundai Elantra from a private party.  The air conditioner push button and the inside air/outside air push buttons are stuck in.  The air conditioner comes on whenever you turn on the fan.  I can put a knife blade in and pull both buttons out, but it doesn't pull whatever is in back of the buttons out too.  I suppose there is some kind of spring in the switch that should pop the buttons back out normally.  The air conditioner button light is not on, but the inside air button light is on.  Are these buttons replaceable ??  or is there some way to pop them back out ??  How do I remove the console that holds these buttons ??  The air is fine now in the heat of the summer, but I need to get this corrected before the cooler months arrive.  Thanks !!


Answer
Dick,
In most push-button type power switches, there is a spring in the rear that enables it to come back to the out/off position. But this spring also works in conjunction with a single-ratchet type mechanism that requires it to be pushed in before it will release.

When you hit the button in to turn it on, the ratchet lever falls onto a catch-notch on the way back up with the force of the spring that holds it in place, as you push it in to turn it off, the catch notch rotates just a hair, the latch gets released, and the spring tension provides the force to hold it in the full out position.

Typically, these are built into the control heads and are retained by 4 or 6 tabs that act as the stopping point for the button on the way up. If you try to bend these tabs out, they will snap 9 out of 10 times. Usually anything wrong with these buttons will require a replacement of the control head itself. In most cases, the control head isn't more than 100 dollars, but I won't swear to the cost of yours. An option is of course a used parts yard. Most cars in the slvage yards have much larger problems, that is why they are there in the firs place, and most of the time the control head is fully operational.

Thank you for the question, I hope I was of some assistance. If so, please remember to rate this answer. If I can do anything further during this process or in the future, do not hesitate to ask. Thank you again and good luck in everything.