E36 323iSE heater dial problem

Dear all

Apologies for the crap subject line................

E36 323iSE 1998 'R' reg UK, 94000 miles

Problem is as follows:
Above the air-con/climate and RDS units there are two 'dials', one simply to
open/close an air vent and the other seems to control interior air
temperature from 3 red markers to 3 blue. Recently, I was trying to move
this dial and noticed it was very stiff indeed, so with judicious use of
brute force, I managed to get it to move whereupon I heard a crack/snap as
if I had broken something.

Now the dial moves just a little too freely for its own good and, of course,
doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference as to temperature. I can now
turn the dial 360 degrees, exposing its normally hidden half which enables
me to look into its housing. I get the impression that the setting remains
as at time of breakage.

Can anyone tell me how easy/difficult the above problem might be to solve
and more importantly, how expensive?

Sorry if my explanation is a bit non-technical and stupid but that's the
type of guy I am!!!

--
Jon Manley

I would watch ebay for the entire heater/ac console. find a good one
and replace the whole thing. I cant think of why the dial would have
bound up in the first place.

Unfortunately the air-con/climate unit was replaced only 18 months ago and
the heater dial was 'stiff' even before then. I really don't want to replace
another air-con unit (too damn pricey) -- think I might ask my local
mechanic for any ideas (although I hate paying for 'advice')

thx

--
Jon Manley

I wouldnt think it would run you more than $50 for a new one off ebay,
Im dont remeber right off the top of my head all the hookups back there
but a few well placed squirts of WD may help out. Sorry I cant be of
more help. If you get really ambitious it is possible to swap the
manual unit with the new electronic control unit. You will have to buy
a lot of stuff from the dealer, but its possible....