looking at buying a 2013 - climate control problem

[bxd76]

So I guess instead of posting this in the interior section I have to post 10 times here...

I'm looking at a 2013 Sonic with 1.8. About 133,000 miles.

It's missing its radio volume knob. Hopefully there's an aftermarket source, I doubt a junk yard would sell me just a knob.

MORE IMPORTANTLY.... the climate control mode selector is stuck in the Defrost (aka Windshield) position. It completely resists turning even under effort. I presume there is a mode door, and that door is stuck? Has anyone dug into the dash to know how hard it is to access this part?

I guess I'll also ask if you all feel that at 133,000 miles, if it was maintained, do the engine and transmission (automatic) still have a few years of life left?

Thank you!
Brian

 

[JTee2017]

The Climate control (defrost/heat/vents) are operated by two very tin and pretty delicate cables .
Search the forum here for threads dealing with that.

Here is one of the most helpful threads with pictures that would be the most help.

Read all of the important parts carefully. The last few pictures show the cable and where they sometimes become disconnected or break off.
This can happen if an owner turns the knobs too fast to too forcefully.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/interior-ice-discussion/22460-broken-hvac-control-knob.html

 

[bxd76]

Thank you JTee.

In my case the knob does not want to turn, it feels bound up. I bet one of those wires jumped out of position and is stuck. Even if I have to put a new cable in, at least it’s fairly inexpensive.

Hopefully the issue isn’t at the door itself. It could be a jammed door I fear.

 

[dannyg]

Do you know if the timing belt was replaced? It should have been done around 100K (my 2015 manual says 97,500). How does the tranny feel, shift OK? If you haven’t seen it, worth checking out the Roll Up thread:

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-discussion/22938-roll-up-sonic-common-issues.html

Good luck!

 

[bxd76]

Dannyg-

Carfax does not show a timing belt replacement. It might be on borrowed time. :-(

I had falsely assumed 1.8 and 1.4 both had chains. Now I see 1.8 uses a belt.

There’s not enough room on price to pay for timing belt and make this one worth it unless that’s an unusually easy timing belt - not the typical $1000 jobs that usually come with a water pump out of convenience. Thinking of many Honda.

 

[dannyg]

I don’t know what it costs to replace a belt these days, I’m only up to 50K! A while back there was talk of around $600 at an independent shop:

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...1-8-timing-belt-replacement-labor-cost-2.html

Does Carfax show all repairs or just those done at a dealer? My old Subaru had a belt (60K replacement interval), the local mechanic made a little mark on the engine, date and mileage, if I recall. But this was years ago.