Removing S80 climate control panel
 

Help! I am trying to remove the climate control panel on a 2001 S80 to get to the HU. It looks easy...several help sites online. Car is factory stock, but my configuration seems a little different than the one I read about. Steps I used:
Disconnected battery -thank you to those who shared this...(SRS error if not!)
Popped out panel aroung shift
Pulled two screws below climate control
Everything I read says panel should come out if I pull out bottom and pull panel down
Mine seems to be held firmly in place, attached to the base of the HU by 2 metal bands or connectors. But I can't get enough separation to even get a good look.

If I pull or pry any more, I thinksomething will break...already put considerable force on it with plastic pry tool/wedge. Does anyone know of an alternate mounting configuration that may be in use? And a potential solution?

RE: Removing S80 climate control panel
 

VADIS shows 4 metal hooks holding the climate control unit to the bottom of the HU. There is one at each end, one under the left control knob and one under the inner right control knob.

As you are doing, pull the climate unit towards you far enough to get two fingers between the panel and the centre console then pull down. Volvo's instructions include: "Hint: The dashboard environment panel is correctly secured. Force is required to remove it."

Hope this is of some help

RE: Removing S80 climate control panel
 

Also if you can DO NOT UNPLUG the module.
I have heard of them not working after plugging them back in.