The toggle switch bank on my 2003 MCS has separated from the fascia. I clipped it back in a couple times, but now it won't stay at all.

I imagine some of the plastic retaining tabs must be broken, though I really can't tell with the part still on the car.

Can anyone tell me if there are supposed to be tabs on the top and bottom of the fascia?

Also, I've looked at a few vendors, and it seems the fascia and switch bank are sold together. Does anyone know of a source for, or want to sell me, just the fascia?

(I have the five toggle switch bank, with DSC and fog lights.)

 

There are three internal tabs on the bottom of the fascia, and three external tabs on the top.
Don't believe anyone sells individual parts, though I have seen discounted toggle racks with broken mounting tabs (on the rear of the rack, used to mount it to the center column.)
Cheapest repair would be just to glue the two parts together.
I've got my original from when I upgraded to rear fogs, but I'm a bit of a parts *****/sentimentalist...

 

Thanks for the reply, Eric_Rowland.

I was thinking of trying to glue it. Since the switch bank works fine, it seems a shame to buy a whole new assembly just to get a fascia with intact tangs.

Here's hoping the glue will hold well enough under the downward pressure of pressing the window switches down.

 

Why not buy one from the Marketplace? Looks like there may be a couple of them for sale. They are easy to replace.

 

Just a thought...
Try some foam double sided tape....that way it can be undone...and no squeeks/rattles...
Have used it from it a couple of times for stiff...good results...

 

Mib4840, I've asked after some of the ones on the marketplace. Most of them are sold. Also, most people would rather sell the switches with the faceplate. I feel silly buying a $60 switch bank I don't need.

ZippyNH, thanks for the thought. Double sided foam tape is often a good idea. Unfortunately, because foam tape adds a buffer, I don't think it's an option here. The switches have to mount directly to the fascia - any gap inhibits switch throw and activation.

 

If I wanted to replace the whole assembly (the toggle switch bank with fascia), does anyone know the correct procedure?

I can see that the fascia has holes that get screwed in, but I can't see how to access them on the car.

 

You pull the down tubes off and there are 2 Torx head screws you take out. It will pretty much fall out into your hand. Unplug the wires in the back. Plug wires into new toggle panel. Put Torx screws back in and replace down tubes. Look in the Forums under 1st Gen cars on how to remove down tubes. Not really that hard either.

 

For the early cars, just pull the center dash cover away (there may be a torx screw at bottom right), remove 2 torx on either side and they pull forward to access the torx in the toggle rack. The later facelift cars have downtubes that are flared out, which makes it more of a procedure.

 

Bump, because I have this same issue. I'm thinking of just going to a Pick 'n' Pull on my day off though...

 

hellothom, you're unlikely to find a Mini at a junkyard. They seem to get bought up and parted out by Mini or BMW specific resellers.

Checking around, it seems that you can generally buy a working used switch bank from the classifieds here for $60 or less.

By the way, I just got a great deal on a used one; so I may just replace mine. Once I have the old one out, I'll probably try gluing it just to see if I can. (Gluing it while on the car would be difficult.)

 

Yeah, I figured that out when I called the local Pick 'n' Pull here in PDX. From the looks of mine, someone had the same thought about gluing it, but it appears to wear off after a while.

At this point I'm just holding the bottom of it and toggling the switches with my thumb. Not annoying enough to want to pay for a new one right now