Greg D.

Ever since I got my car, 2 buttons on the passenger side of the heater control have been sticky. Namely the passenger seat heater and the button to send air to the windshield. Not used very much but annoying.

I don’t know if it’s because something was spilled by the PO (and cleaned because I never saw anything looking like spill residue there) or just a defect but they take convincing to pop back.

I see that cluster has many configurations depending on options for ventilated seats or not, and it’s not cheap. I was wondering if they can be taken apart (after removing it from the console of course) and cleaned up if something’s gumming up the works, or if it’s a solid piece of plastic casing and not really possible to take apart. Does anybody know ?

Greg D.

Ah never mind - fixed.
Used rubbing alcohol and Q-Tip a to soak both offenders a little, then blew it dry with compressed air. Better but not perfect... then used floss and a tiny pick to insert the floss sideways around each button and gently flossed it like a tooth.. 2 sides at a time to round the corners - got crud out that way. One more soaking of alcohol and compressed air everywhere else, to preemptively clean the entire cluster, and it’s 95% there...

i might replace that thing anyway someday because the LCD is starting to go in cold weather showing half the bars ! But for now I got my buttons back.

Porsche_nuts

There was a sticky button post a few months ago. Some RLers recommended this, and it worked.

Greg D.

Thank you - good call. Will do that as well !

Rich_Jenkins

Same here! Appreciate the thread and solution options - will give that a try.

Dutch4Scali

I had the exact same issue (2013 991 4S, CPO). Showed it to my dealer and they cleaned it. Was good for like a couple days, but stickiness came back (perhaps the warm weather here in SoCal). Dealer assumed someone spilled a sticky drink but everything looks really clean in the car and especially that area. Of course I don't what happend with the previous owner but it is weird that more people have this in their car.

Will look at the amazon link as well because this is annoying (I don't like when something is not working as it should even though I almost never use those buttons).

cpbmd

It’s a manufacture problem. I would get the Buttons replaced. Maybe under CPO
There are companies that refurbish these buttons too.

Jack F

Those buttons are under the left cup holder. Coincidence? Probably not? But dealer should have the ability to clean it.

DvD5

I have the same problem on my 2017 CPO. Passenger temp up/down sticks on pressing in the down position. I never use the cup holder, but who knows about the previous owner.

I'll try the electronic cleaner--thanks!

sr5959

Must be a fairly common problem as the first 991 I test-drove had this same issue. I thought some impact had squashed the center console in from the passenger side!

Greg D.

It is certainly starting to sound like it's a defect and not a spill ! Add it to the defective door panels and COVs as something that needs a TSB and free repair then ;-)

Dutch4Scali

I actually had the doorpanels replaced under CPO warranty, so will definitely follow up with the dealer on the buttons as well. Any others here that have these replaced under CPO/warranty? Since the cupholders are useless anyway, I don't just assume the previous owner has used these ever lol.

Rich_Jenkins

Finally got a chance to try to fix this issue today.

Before - Both passenger side heated and cooled seat buttons were virtually unusable. The would make contact but take up to 60s to "return". Sometimes they would not make contact at all.

After - Both buttons now work more or less in under 1/4 second each. In other words, they are almost normal.

Process:
I bought a can of CRC Electronic Cleaner from Amazon, here:


I took the can and affixed the spray tip, and squirted a shot into and between the buttons, then attempted to exercise them. I wiped the residue with a MF towel. There was absolutely no issue or problem or marks from using the CRC spray (we use this stuff at work - no issues.) After about 10 minutes, the right-most button started to "work", then I continued to exercise it up and down. Then about 5 minutes later, the left hand button was working. I started the car and confirmed normal operation of both heat and cool for the passenger seat.

For good measure I squirted a small amount on the HOME button, which on my car was also sticky. The stickiness cleared and the button is now like the others.

For sure I've never so much as carried a coke or soft drink in the cup holders, but I have no idea if the previous owner had an accident in that area. Or if these buttons just get sticky with age and disuse.

But I am pretty pleased this worked, and I avoided a dealer visit, and it only cost me $5.

sr5959

Great tip!

I actually passed on a used 911 because it had this problem on the passenger side temp buttons. Wish I’d known this it was a great spec!

mymac

I had a similar problem with my 13C2S and I caused it myself. I spilled a Mocha coffee on the controls and really gummed up the works. I tried cleaning as best I could, nothing would work. I removed the unit from the console and tried further cleaning. Still no dice. So I started pricing a new unit and found out that a new controller was about $1200(as I remember). I was lucky enough to find a used one (numbers matching) on flebay for $350. I also bought a new cupholder that mounts to the side of the center console. The OEM cupholders are useless imo.