Two of the 4 vents on my dashboard are limpy and like to stay in the up position. When ever I tilt it down, it flips back up. Very frustrating when you want direct AC or Heat from the car...

The vents are the ones on the far sides; the far left and far right of the dash, on either side.

Is anybody else's vents limpy? How can this be fixed?? It doesn't seem like there is anything broken, but obviously...............

It sounds like someone sprayed a lubricant on them or some overspray from some shine product for the dash pad.

Each vent has verticals (back) and horizontal (front) air guides . Just behind where you hold and change direction is a gear and that gear fits onto another gear at back. Some time it pops out. You have to take the front panel and fit the gear in or with flash light see where the gears are and try to pull and move ( rock) so that it fits into the rear gear.

Do it at your own risk. I have done it before ...

Hope this helps

Sub786, how did you take the front panel out? I have the problem the you're describing.

Thanks in advance, jj

My pass side went loose. I noticed it during a PPI and the dealer replaced it before I closed on it. Must be common problem.

yes, those outside vents are problematic. You'll need to pop the cover off the outside of the dash to access the back of it, usually they'll get pushed in and/or separate from the ducting etc.

If you do find that it's a tolerance issue (i.e. mechanism just doesnt fit quite right) then try a little heavy grease in there to tighten things up. Not too much though, don't want that running all over.

Pull off side panels - single screw in there. Then use hanger/other device with hook to pull up on the top vent area - the non-adjustable portion that points at the windows. Another screw in there. Vent comes out...disconnect light wiring from inboard side, then vent is fully released. Common fault is the loose tabs connecting front to rear portion of vent. Careful how you re-mate the two surfaces to get the full movement out of the adjuster.

Reverse steps for re-install.

Hth,

Smash

Thank you Smash for the handy tips. I managed to pull the thing apart and found that the clips where the flaps are attached to are broken, 3 of 5. The little plastic pieces are all very flimsy and it wouldn't take much to break them in the first place. I think it was one of those air freshened that did it. Well, I'll just have to live without them.

If your vents stay in the up position for more than 4 hours, please consult your physician....