Air vent problem

Discussion in 'The Big Chill' started by Atbb, Oct 17, 2011.

  1. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    though I have a non-air car I thought I might give it a shot with you guys. I`m having trouble with my air vent on the driver side of my 71`GS, right beside the side window, in the dashboard. It`s blowing without a stop, you have these push-pull things down by your feet to normally regulate the amount of fresh air, but these don`t work for me. How can I fix it, will it be troublesome? It`s beginning to get real cold around here so I`d like to shut it off!

    Jens
     
  2. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Sounds like the cable may have come loose. You will need to get under the dash and follow that cable and see if it is attached. It should operate a door that opens and closes the vent.
     
  3. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi Greg,

    where do I find the cable hooking up to that door? Can I leave things as they are or do I have to dissassemble the dash board?Do I have to get rid of the kick panels?

    Jens
     
  4. my69buford

    my69buford Silver Level contributor

    Hi,
    I have A/C on my car now but if I remember correctly, you will need to remove the kick panels to access the vents and cables. Check the round end of the cable that hooks to the vent lever. Sometimes the little round clip that holds them on comes unhooked. You will notice no tension on the knob if the cable is unhooked.

    Hope this helps.
     
  5. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    thanks Dave, I experience a resitance while trying to push in the know, it just won`t stay in the "pushed-it" position and comes out about 1/4. Just a hint on how to disassemble the kick panel?

    Jens
     
  6. my69buford

    my69buford Silver Level contributor

    Hi Jens,
    There may be something obstructing the flapper. Or the cable could be bent. Either way you will probably have to remove the kick panel to see. If you remove the sill plate at the bottom of your door jam and pull up the carpet at the bottom of the kick panel you should be able to remove the kick panel and vent assembly. Not sure but there may be a screw in the middle of the kick panel to remove. I don't have my manual handy to look.
    Try to pull it out from the bottom at the carpet. The kick panel may feel a little stuck when trying to pull it out. There is a caulking like seal that seals it to the metal body and I think there is also a lip on the inside. But with some wiggling and gentle persuasion it will should come out.
     
  7. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    Hi Dave,

    thanks a lot, I`ll do as you told me.I`ll let you guys know what the problem was. Thanks so far for your help.

    Jens
     
  8. BadBrad

    BadBrad Got 4-speed?

    I've worked on these a bunch and right now the same vent on my car is defunct. The cable and knob assembly enters through that hole in the kick panel. The knob in mine is broken and can't be held in place by the clip from the back; I'm looking for a new cable now. By I digress.

    For those cables to work the cable-housing must be held in fixed position at both ends. One end is held by a clip on the back side of the kick-panel. The other end of the housing (up under the dash) is held by a sheet metal screw into the side of the car. If either end is disconnected you can't control the vent - when you pull the knob the housing will move rather than the cable.

    The upper end of the cable housing is visible from under the dash but tough to see if you leave the seat in the car. The screw might have come out and the cable housing is flopping around. The housing is a long coil of steel spring. Since you can see this screw you might be able to re-attach the housing to the side of the car. But I will say that it's a pain in the rear on the driver side; just a ton of stuff in the way. Easily three times the work than on the passenger side.

    If the knob end of the cable has lost its clip or the knob is broken you'll have to remove the kickpanel. It has been 5 or 6 years since I had this panel out and think I had to remove the parking brake assembly to get the panel out. Other than what you can easily see holding the panel in the car, it is held in place by screws (4 to 6) underneath the lower vent regulator. You must pry that out with a screwdriver to access the screws. Once the screws are out you have to muscle the panel out from the hole in the body ecapsulating the lower vent. Be gentle with everything - some of this stuff is hard to find today.

    Does this sound fun yet?

    Maybe you can just shove a sock into the upper vent.

    Pitty you're not working on the passenger side - fixing that side is much easier.

    Good luck.
     
  9. Atbb

    Atbb Well-Known Member

    This sure sounds like a helluva job for a little air coming through the vent...I`ll try to get to it, and if it doesn`t work, I`ll go for the sock, promised!

    Thanks for the detailed info

    Jens
     
  10. Rivman

    Rivman Senior Ottawa Buick Guy

    There is also a rubber seal or gasket on the vent door flapper that may be causing the air leak - or restricting travel, check it also. A light application of light oil, or silicone lube may help to free the steel cable inside the steel housing, and make the operation of the vent a little easier too !! :TU:
     

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