No Face Level Ventilation

[belugablack]

I've got next to nothing coming out of the face level vents on my Cabriolet. (I know it's not an S2 but you guys seem more enthusiastic and pro-active so thought I'd give you a whirl!) I cannot be the only person to suffer this as have had three 2.6 and 2.8 cabriolets this year and they all have the same issue. I changed the pollen filter on my first car which was covered in crud but it made no difference. The air blew onto the windscreen with gusto so there was nothing wrong with the fan or any blockages on that route.

It's a UK car so no climate, just the manual 3 knob system, my latest pair of cabrios have air-con which wasn't that common on 90s soft tops but there's no point getting this re-charged when the face levels vents don't work, so it's quite frustrating.

I understand the air distribution knob operates a bowden cable on the airbox so I reckon a flap is stuck closed - has anyone else experienced this fault and is it quite a simple fix, i.e. something has come unclipped or is it too fiddly like a stripped or stretched cable? When I twist the knob it does meet with some resistance like it is forcing something which I don't think is right. I cannot believe all three cars are blighted with this exact same fault!

[tscheel]

Hum. Face level

Well - I take it that you have opened the flap with the vertical dial next to the vents.

I think you should be able to check the cable operation, just by removing the glovebox and maybe the cover over your feet.

Disclaimer - there must be some differences between RHD and LHD - but in my former manual aircon LHD car, there was lots of air from the centre vents if needed.

You should stop before you come this far

[belugablack]

thanks, I can be a thicko sometimes, but on this occasion I have definitely got the thumbwheels set to open! I am not saying there was no decent output through these vents when new, I am saying something has broken or stuck with age...

[simon20vq]

Are you trying to turn the knob with the blower on full? If so turn it off and try. Also the knobs can brake so try and pull it off and use a pair pliers to turn the metal pin that protrudes.

[shaun5]

Im not sure if i had the same symptoms but the 3 heater control knobs unit was broken on a car i had. It would turn but a bit of the plastic runner was broken and it would jump out of the runner Does your left knob turn easily?

[Greg_S]

Sounds most likelly that the cable is the problem. Easiest way to check, I say easy but you will still need to contort your head under the drivers dash. Anyway, if you remove the trim by drivers pedal you can get your head underneath and see that cables operating when you turn the dial. It may be that the cable isnt secured properly or the plastic gear in the dash has gone out of position.

[belugablack]

hi - thanks for the input guys- alas no miracle step by step cure, was a long shot! the distribution knob does not turn easily or smoothly, like something is catching or stuck. I will whip the knobs off to see if they have rounded inside so no longer effective but fear i will be doing some contortionist tricks to try and see what's going on behind... it's just well wierd it's afflicted three cars.