This was/is an interesting and practical discussion.

After reading all posts, I still think for me, the best approach is to just manually use the center vent controls and disconnect that vacuum element. I don't have small hands and don't have a manual. So unless someone knows that doing what Kerry suggests (bypass the element) will somehow mess something up, I'm going that route.

When I do get a new/better dash (dealer has new ones for the....gasp...low price of about $700 so if anyone has a black one in good condition I'm in the market), I'll go to the trouble of finding out how to remove the old dash and then repair all of the elements before installing the new dash.

Thanks all for input. This is exactly why I like this web site.

Nic