Heat A/C control removal on 98 LSE

[asmcmillin]

Hoping for a little help here. 2 things. I cannot turn the dial on my controls all the way to the left. Therefore, when I turn it to the right for defrost, it is heat at the feet and defrost. Not full defrost. It is like the dial is one notch off and I have no idea why. I wanted to remove and inspect the entire assembly, only I cannot get the change holder out. In order to get the controls out, I am assuming you have to remove the change holder to get at the screw behind it, just like the cupholder, clock, switches, and ashtray. They came out just fine. I still cannot remove the plastic face shroud around the controls.

Can anyone tell me how to get the ashtray out and how to remove the heater control unit?