Rear Aircon Unit Button

MrSwadge

Active Member
Sep 14, 2016
1
0
Hi all,

First post on here, so please go easy on me :rolleyes:

We have a SEAT Alhambra with 63 reg (2013) which is the newer model. It's a great car, although we have had issues (details at another time, if relevant).

The rear air-con unit controls that sit in the middle of the car behind the driver and front passenger seats have developed a very minor fault. That being that one of the buttons has disintegrated and fallen off. The car was still under warranty at the time and we hoped SEAT might see sense and simply source a button and push it onto the air-con unit. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the air-con unit functionally...

However... expecting a new button to be cheap and easy to replace, we were told that "it's more complicated than that" by SEAT customer service and the dealer (Hatfield), which meant they saw the resolution of the missing button as a complete replacement of the air-con controls in the back of the car. You would think this kind of change is more likely to cause more damage to the car as various components/trimmings would need moving to complete the task.

What is worse, the missing button, which is simply moulded plastic with the word "AUTO" printed on it, would cost very little. To replace the air-con controls it was quoted as over £400 to replace. As mentioned already, there is nothing wrong with the controls, it's as simple as a plastic button falling off the user interface. The button would cost very little to produce and replace. Why they couldn't simply push a new button on the air-con control unit is bewildering - they must know who created the button in the first instance and be able to obtain more?!?

So... any ideas where I can source an "AUTO" button that I can simply push onto the air-con unit myself? I think everyone will agree that spending £400+ for a brand new air-con control system for the rear of the car is ridiculously excessive and frankly, quite insane.

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Cheers,
Stuart
 

Gerico1000

Active Member
Sep 7, 2014
46
0
Agreed that's insane.

Breakers yards, ebay etc I suppose.

I'd be inclined to use the front settings. Driver sets what they want and if they want it warmer/colder in the back just press 'rear' on the panel at the front and set it how they want. Bit of a faff but saves £400!
 

baba_metca

Active Member
May 4, 2016
32
0
The panel costs around 140 pounds new. Changing is not so tough. You will need to remove the 2 screws located in the cupholder section, then there are four clips, 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. After that there is the cable. From behind there are some clips. First push the lower retaining clips downwards and pull the lower part. Then unclip the upper part. Well that is what I remember. If you need i can try and find some pictures.
 
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