trialsrider Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Just noticed that the directional flaps on my blower vents are all jammed. The knob which slides up and down which makes the flaps change direction is completely stuck. Was certainly working a few weeks ago. The flaps move independently if you move the flaps by moving them without the knob with a screwdriver. All of them are the same so am I right in thinking they are all connected even though they all work independently. How can this be rectified? I've applied as much pressure as I'm willing to do and the knob is jammed solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 These are the four dashboard mounted air vents? Each vent rotates left to right for horizontal air distribution, while the rearmost vanes (visible through the front vanes), that control vertical air distribution, are adjusted by the sliding control located centrally between the front vanes. Air volumes are adjusted by separate, rotating, thumb-wheels, one per vent. Each vent is individually adjustable, with no linkage between them. There is no logical reason, short of tampering, mis-fitting of the vents, or possibly dashboard mis-fitting, why all (or even one) should have become immobile at the same time. Has anyone carried out work (and if so what) in the cab since you last used the vents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsrider Posted December 8, 2018 Author Share Posted December 8, 2018 Brian Kirby - 2018-12-08 5:43 PM These are the four dashboard mounted air vents? Each vent rotates left to right for horizontal air distribution, while the rearmost vanes (visible through the front vanes), that control vertical air distribution, are adjusted by the sliding control located centrally between the front vanes. Air volumes are adjusted by separate, rotating, thumb-wheels, one per vent. Each vent is individually adjustable, with no linkage between them. There is no logical reason, short of tampering, mis-fitting of the vents, or possibly dashboard mis-fitting, why all (or even one) should have become immobile at the same time. Has anyone carried out work (and if so what) in the cab since you last used the vents? Thanks for the response. I had a suspicion the stiffness may be temperature / expansion related and went out a few minutes ago and they moved freely. Maybe it was something to do with me driving and using the Aircon on warm setting and then trying to adjust them once warm. I'm just relieved they are not jammed. Could the warm Aircon have dried the flaps mechanism enough to make them seize up ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 As Brian advised, the dashboard vents are not connected (otherwise it would not be practicable to adjust them individually) so your temperature-related hypothesis for the stiffness seems reasonable. You might try spraying a ‘dry’ no-smell lubricant into each vent to (hopefully) ease the movement of the knob that alters the direction of the flaps. I use this stuff for lubrication where an ‘oily’ lubricant would be unsuitable https://wd40.co.uk/specialist/anti-friction-dry-ptfe-lubricant/ but any sort of silicone spray lubricant should do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsrider Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 Derek Uzzell - 2018-12-09 8:26 AM As Brian advised, the dashboard vents are not connected (otherwise it would not be practicable to adjust them individually) so your temperature-related hypothesis for the stiffness seems reasonable. You might try spraying a ‘dry’ no-smell lubricant into each vent to (hopefully) ease the movement of the knob that alters the direction of the flaps. I use this stuff for lubrication where an ‘oily’ lubricant would be unsuitable https://wd40.co.uk/specialist/anti-friction-dry-ptfe-lubricant/ but any sort of silicone spray lubricant should do. Thanks for the response. Yes will give that a go. I've got loads of gt85 in the garage so may try a squirt of that. It doubles as a good polish too on plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 My Ducato-based motorhome has been standing idle for about 6 weeks. Out of curiosity I checked today how easy it would be to move the adjustable ‘diffusers’ of the four dashboard vents - two moved easily and one was a bit relucant to move intially. The 4th diffuser was immovable until I put a lot of pressure on the operating knob and then jerked it hard; after that it moved easily. I think these things just stick and then unstick according to the weather, temperature, bloody-mindedness, etc. I haven’t tried lubricating them as I’ve never had any problem with them before, but I’m going to follow my own advice and spray them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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