Snowflake Button

kdigby13

Member
Sep 6, 2021
13
2
New Orleans, LA
Hello All,

Hope you're well. I guess this is kind of a super brief intro/first request for advice.

I've had my 'new to me' D1 for approximately 2 weeks now and couldn't be happier with my purchase. It has always been a dream of mine to own one of these.

I live in New Orleans, and recently evacuated to the DC area b/c of Ida. While I was up there I took an opportunity to look at a super clean 97' D1 w/ no rust, just over 100k miles, w/ a 5 speed . The only leaks seemed to be coming from the power steering/slightly tough turn w/ a lil whine, all the electronics were working, and only other issue is that it takes two people to open the hood; one to pull lever and another to pull the hood up...

Sure enough I purchased it, had it delivered, and it's been doing great in it's new city. I'm looking forward to adjusting the hood release and putting the new pump and hoses on this weekend b/f starting task of replacing all the fluids.

I also replaced the battery and cleaned the terminals the other day, when doing so, I locked myself out of the radio...But after calling Land Rover USA, giving them my VIN and proof of ownership, the lady gave me my 5 digit code. after a few errors, I quickly realized I locked myself out...If I mess something up again tomorrow, can I just unplug battery or pull fuse instead of waiting 1.5 hours w/ engine on?

While fiddling w/ the radio, the engine was on, and I was debating turning the a/c off via the snowflake button. I touched the button ever so slightly w/out pressing it in to turn it off, and the light turned off while still in the engaged position...after pressing it b/t the engage/disengage several times, I realized that my a/c stopped blowing cold. I then realized that the recirculation button was not lighting up either (though I'm not sure if it ever was working but not really concerned with that button). However the rest of the a/c controls work, and the heater blows hot too, the a/c just doesn't turn on.

I'm assuming that this is just a faulty button? Is there any way to attempt to get this button to work again other than taking apart the entire dash to remove it and potentially replace it? I'm also assuming it isn't a fuse or relay issue since the rest of the a/c controls work fine? would it be unwise to spray contact cleaner into the sides of the button w/out taking the panel off? Finally, do any of y'all have suggestion of where I can find a replacement snowflake switch? I see the recirculation switch at the link below, but can't seem to find a new snowflake switch.


I've owned nothing but 90's 4x4 suv's, including a mid 90's defender while living in Haiti few years ago so I'm already familiar w/ the engine and feel very comfortable preforming mechanical repairs, but really really dislike preforming electrical repairs...so if any of you have any suggestions for me, I would greatly appreciate them. thanks for your time.

All the Best,
Kyle Digby
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
It's a very common failure. I've seen folded up paper jammed into the side of them to keep the a/c going in some trucks. But if your just assuming thats the problem without checking it further your just guessing. It might have no refrigerant in it.
 

kdigby13

Member
Sep 6, 2021
13
2
New Orleans, LA
Hey Discostew, the a/c was blowing ice cold immediately b/f i gave it the button the ever so faintest touch that's why i figured it was the button. However,, than checking the refrigerant are there any other items you suggest I check? Thanks again for your help
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
1,485
375
I haven’t been able to find the part number for the snowflake switch.
 

CORover

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2007
745
65
Colorado, USA
Mine is doing that. You can try spraying some swith or contact cleaner in from the front with a small tube. Tough to get all the way in though. Salvage switches will do this too soon enough if they are not already bad. You can test them if you do have the assembly torn apart, kind of a pain though. The are easier to clean when out though.
 

kdigby13

Member
Sep 6, 2021
13
2
New Orleans, LA
Hey Terry, the part number is BTR6491. but I can't find it available anywhere.

CORover, I'm planning on picking up some contact cleaner and trying that b/f trouble shooting some other issues.

Even though I have a hunch that it is the button, if the compressor isn't engaging or if there refrigerant system has low pressure, could this cause the button not to function?
 
  • Like
Reactions: terryjm1

joneschris

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2019
167
32
The Woodlands, TX
Its likely the button. Someone bypassed it on mind to another switch, but when it doesnt light up, no ac. Worth checking refrigerant obviously. I can also refer you to a rover guru in Livingston if you need.
 

kdigby13

Member
Sep 6, 2021
13
2
New Orleans, LA
Hey Y'all, I just sprayed some contact cleaner through the sides of the button, and pressed it in, and it didn't work...However...When I pressed the button in and kept it there, the light lit up, and I could hear the compressor turning on, and the a/c stated blowing cold once again. So it is def the button, and I might need to find a good wedge to stick in there like @discostew mentioned b/f I can find a replacement button, or work up the nerve to take apart the entire dash...

I've read the steps piecemeal through a few threads, about this process, but if y'all recommend any specific posts w/ step by step directions and Pics, that would be appreciated too.

@joneschris does your rover guru that lives in Livingston have his own mechanic shop and take appointments? I have a buddy w/ a D2 that suggested a here in NOLA who specialize in British cars, but would prefer to have a good specific rover shop recommendation if there are any issues that are beyond my level of expertise...Even though I gave my truck my own once over before buying it a few weeks ago and already putting a few hundred miles on it, I'd feel much better knowing that a true rover mechanic checked it out and give me some tips on keeping it running top notch.

Thanks again y'all, and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

-K
 

joneschris

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2019
167
32
The Woodlands, TX
@joneschris does your rover guru that lives in Livingston have his own mechanic shop and take appointments? I have a buddy w/ a D2 that suggested a here in NOLA who specialize in British cars, but would prefer to have a good specific rover shop recommendation if there are any issues that are beyond my level of expertise...Even though I gave my truck my own once over before buying it a few weeks ago and already putting a few hundred miles on it, I'd feel much better knowing that a true rover mechanic checked it out and give me some tips on keeping it running top notch.

Thanks again y'all, and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

-K
He has his own shop and will work to fit you in. I told him I passed on his info. (PM)
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
He has his own shop and will work to fit you in. I told him I passed on his info. (PM)
Hey Y'all, I just sprayed some contact cleaner through the sides of the button, and pressed it in, and it didn't work...However...When I pressed the button in and kept it there, the light lit up, and I could hear the compressor turning on, and the a/c stated blowing cold once again. So it is def the button, and I might need to find a good wedge to stick in there like @discostew mentioned b/f I can find a replacement button, or work up the nerve to take apart the entire dash...

I've read the steps piecemeal through a few threads, about this process, but if y'all recommend any specific posts w/ step by step directions and Pics, that would be appreciated too.

@joneschris does your rover guru that lives in Livingston have his own mechanic shop and take appointments? I have a buddy w/ a D2 that suggested a here in NOLA who specialize in British cars, but would prefer to have a good specific rover shop recommendation if there are any issues that are beyond my level of expertise...Even though I gave my truck my own once over before buying it a few weeks ago and already putting a few hundred miles on it, I'd feel much better knowing that a true rover mechanic checked it out and give me some tips on keeping it running top notch.

Thanks again y'all, and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

-K
Thats why people jam folded up paper between the housing and the button. It holds it down like your doing with your finger.
 

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
1,485
375
I have found there are two outputs that are energized when you push the button in. On mine, one is consistent but the other is intermittent. For unrelated reasons, I rewired the the pigtail and bypassed all the factory relays installing two aftermarket ones to operate the compressor and cooling fans. The single wire that is consistently energized now activates both the compressor relay and the cooling fan relay. ((Installed a diode to prevent the cooling fan relay from activating the compressor.) The inconsistent one now has no role, but if I could buy a new switch I would give it a role. The light does not light up, either. However, both the compressor and cooling fans operate as they should. My power input to the switch comes from the blower motor. It is all a bit of a hack but it is simple and reliable. My ac cools down to 39 degrees at the vents before it cycles off, in the desert when it is 90 plus outside. With this configuration, I do lose the ac role in the defrost setting, Defrost just works a little slower.
 

WaltNYC

Well-known member
Mar 3, 2010
707
135
NYC
When I replaced my A/C switch I pulled everything on the center console (within the black plastic frame). Not hard, but like most jobs a pain it he butt. Wouldn't you know that the moment I put it back together the light/bulb on the recirculation button went bad.

It is not difficult to refurbish the buttons. See attached.
 

Attachments

  • Cleaning dash switches in a Discovery 1.pdf
    187.4 KB · Views: 17
  • Like
Reactions: terryjm1