On my '97 MM, I need to remove the plastic trim where the electric switches are mounted so I can check the back/forward switch. The trim has one screw in the rear and what looks like 2 slots that go over metal tabs concealed on the side. Once the screw is removed do I just keep pulling hard to remove the trim or do I need a special tool? Don't want to break anything because a replacement trim piece will probably be impossible to find.

 

Bump.

I'll keep bumping this up for a while because I have found many posts that read "check the switch" or "replace the switch" so someone in this group must have done it before.

 

there is a "clip" that holds the trim in also. Pull hard straight out and it should come right out. Thats how mine came off.

 

For the 1997 Mountaineer with bucket seats make life easy and remove the seat! The plastic trim has 2 concealed screws underneath which are a b---h to remove with the seat in place. It's easier to remove the seat, you just need a metric socket (can't remember what size) and a T30 torx bit made into a socket (to remove the seatbelt bolt). Once you have the seat out it is real easy to get to the concealed screws then depress the big metal clips and pull the plastic trim off without breaking it. I'm not sure you could even twist the trim piece enough to get to the screws which hold the switch (seat requlator) in place without removing the seat, it's awfully tight in there.