Morris Minor Owners Club

Right - round heater as fitted to our '62 traveller seems to have given up the ghost. I suspect the rheostat switch as it used to work if you fiddled with it. Is there any way to get at the switch without removing the heater completely? Doesn't seem to get a mention in any of my manuals, looks like the front is held on with multiple clips so I have a horrible feeling that the only way to service the internals is to strip it out of the car but perhaps someone knows better?

Taking the heater out could pay dividends in terms of better heat.
You will be able to hoover 40 years of dirt from the fins, give it a flush and lubricate the bearings.

Probably best to take it out - the thought of getting those clips back on upside down is not good!

Thanks both, I thought that was the answer I would get! I take it the dismantling is fairly straightforward? Is there an exploded drawing in existance? And I could just get an impression of the rheostat through the holes - it looks like it's a 'bend back the tabs and work on the internal parts' unit - comments from anybody who's tried please?

Oh yes - is the knob a 'push' fit on the rheostat's hexagonal shaft, or is there some other clever method of attachment? Mine seems very tight and I don't want to gorilla it off, break it and find there was a hidden pin or something.......

If you look carefully on the underside of the knob there is a small hole in the plastic. If you push in a small rod, drill end or electrical screwdriver it pushes in a button and the knob then just pulls off.

Brilliant, I love the near instant answers on this forum - thank you!

You may find it easier to remove the heater if you undo the parcel shelf end bolts. When you have removed the front of the heater and the rheostat knob, undo the nut and remove the rheostat and undo the bullet connectors on the wires. You can take the switch apart by gently turning back the tags. The contacts and wire can be gently cleaned with a piece of emery paper. When cleaned and re assembled the switch should be fully anti clockwise for off, then from fully on to minimum by turning it clockwise.
Incidentally is your car + or - earth? I found that when my car was + earth I had to clean the rheostat annually but since I converted the car to - earth I have not had to touch it. Something to do with elecrolytic action I believe.

If you dont have any luck repairing it, i have a round heater going spare

That's excellent news Timmo - I haven't got to it yet as work on the house has intervened - but if it's a hopeless case I shall be in touch! Who knows, I might have something you need in return!