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Air vent slats letting the side down?

Dammit

Well-known member
Joined
23 Sep 2016
Messages
3,135
You've just washed your car:

32949902756_e19a96aa5e_b.jpg


You're happy because you've done all the maintenance and got a few jobs done that have made a huge difference to how you fit in and interact with the car:

32173824863_26dd33b714_b.jpg


But wait!

32607338320_2de3a90e4b_b.jpg


This has been annoying since you got the car, it rattles over bumps and lets the interior down, so what should you do?

Remove the Torx T20 screws here and here:

32947559596_06d4bc58b4_b.jpg


And pop off the temp-sensor cover here to reveal the third and last one:

32607117100_034abc41ca_b.jpg


Then pull the vent assembly forward and to the left, some interior trim tools are handy here but not essential:

32947558676_526340847e_b.jpg


32863479301_f585d2e100_b.jpg


In that last photo you'll see two tabs, there are another two tabs on the other side, you'll definitely need a tool of some kind now in order to pry the tube section off the (visible) trim section. I was convinced I was going to break something, but steady pressure caused the two parts to pop apart with no cracking.

You'll be left with this:

32863481891_028656bda8_b.jpg


And you'll need to locate this:

32173822863_bb2d846f63_b.jpg


In my case it was still attached to the bottom-most slat, lying down inside the vent. You'll need to click it back onto all the slats:

32833926632_9256d5e1fe_b.jpg


Then you will, for the first time, see this sight:

32144270434_c2b4919946_b.jpg


Put the vent-tube back on, taking care to get it over the four tabs AND LINE UP THE PRONGS ON THE VENT CONTROL with the middle of the three vertical slats as you push it together, leaving you with this:

32947562936_9e7f299d73_b.jpg


Pop it back into the car, do the other side (which on mine was possible simply by reaching through the slats with a pair of needle-nose pliers as only the top few had come away).

Then put the car away and drive the Volvo to Saino's:

32947562516_bb1f1090dd_b.jpg
 
excellent write-up! :thumb: :thumb:
 
Worthy of a 996 FAQ sticky?

Very handy if I've needed mods.
 
How does the drivers side one come out - I'm guessing one of the screws is under the headlight switch. Is this easy to get out?
 
Great write-up. It's always very satisfying when a job like that has a positive outcome.

I hate rattles myself so well done and excellent pics.

:thumb:
 
Brilliant write-up and clear photos. If my vents go wrong I'll know where to look.
 
Cheers all,
Will have a go when back from holiday.
 
Great write up and pics. :thumb:

It's sorting all the little jobs like this that give a huge amount of satisfaction.
If I had a new car I'd be bored stiff. I like bringing things back to perfection and putting my stamp on.

Well done on taking the time to document it.
 
The passenger side & both centre air vent slats on my 2004 997 suffered the same fault within 5 years of owning from new after I didn't renew the warranty. If I recall, OPC Chester wanted some £400+ to replace in 2010!! Form the post & comments it appears to be a reasonably common issue. If it is a common problem then it is yet another example of poor Porsche build quality/design post 993 manufacture. Also by 2012 the height adjuster on the passenger seat failed. As I am single, the seat was hardly sat on it those 7 years & what was then some 30K miles.
 
Thanks for the write up - especially this bit:

"In that last photo you'll see two tabs, there are another two tabs on the other side, you'll definitely need a tool of some kind now in order to pry the tube section off the (visible) trim section. I was convinced I was going to break something, but steady pressure caused the two parts to pop apart with no cracking. "

I couldn't work out how to separate the two parts and thought - do or die - either it will come apart or I'm off to buy a new one!
 
GARY S said:
The passenger side & both centre air vent slats on my 2004 997 suffered the same fault within 5 years of owning from new after I didn't renew the warranty. If I recall, OPC Chester wanted some £400+ to replace in 2010!! Form the post & comments it appears to be a reasonably common issue. If it is a common problem then it is yet another example of poor Porsche build quality/design post 993 manufacture. Also by 2012 the height adjuster on the passenger seat failed. As I am single, the seat was hardly sat on it those 7 years & what was then some 30K miles.

I think the issue is that you can't direct the air high up enough onto the side windows. I'm guessing that they get forced up by accident.
 

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