Glad you got a result
Pictures below illustrate your findings. Although from Roadster's, it sounds like the mechanism is shared with other models.
![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/VGAKvQ9.jpg)
The toothed wheel immediately behind heater control knob engages with holes in outer quadrant of pivoting lever shown below. The stepped end of inner part of bowden cable is clipped into hole on lever to transmit movement to heater control valve.
![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/k3ji46v.jpg)
I guess the holes of inner quadrant are supposed to engage with spring ball detent. Not seemingly on mine though
