Temp potentiometer stuck 2004 vue

Hi last week I replaced the factory stereo and not realizing that I did not need to take off control knobs on climate controls, (which I did) when I went to put the knob back on the temp control ,it went on however if I push the shaft in untill it bottoms out,I can't turn it.
If I pull it out slightly it will spin completely around .
Is there a gear or something on the end of that shift that goes in a certain way?

I am very frustrated as I can't adjust between hot/ cold and summers coming and I have no AC control.

Could someone please help out .
Thanks Bill

 

Usually there is a nut that fixes the position of that rod in place. You don't know to look for it because you can only see it if you know where it is. What usually happens is when you pull the knob off, If you're not careful, you pull the shaft out of its inner socket and the shaft plus the nut come out as well. The nut is usually near the very outer end of the shaft very close to where the knob goes on. You have to get a needle nose pliers in there to hold the shaft while having someone else needle nose pliers to hold and rotate the nut until it is tight. Then figure out where at the center point is in the travel of the shaft and align the mark on the knob at the 12:00 position.