Hope everyone’s doing well! Working through previous owners issues on my sons TJ and hoping for solution on how to get the face/panel vents to open position. We’re in Florida and really have no need for heat/defrost but could use a/c during hot rainy season. Floor and defrost actuators work fine. Panel/face black plastic lever that connects to the actuator arm broke off…based on how gnarly the opening looks it seems PO tried to glue the arm back on and screwed into it. Posting pic of ours, what the star key opening should look like based on other posts. Anyone run into this problem and figure out a way to get the face vents open regardless of the selector position? Really appreciate the support!!
Need creative solution-HVAC panel (face vent) broken lever
- Thread starter mtnjam20
- Start date
Just spitballing here…
Try running tight fitting coarse thread wood or drywall screw as deep as possible into the broken actuator and give it a quick, sharp, and straight pull. The best case scenario is that it breaks free; worst case… well, it is already the worst case.
Alternatively, and more complex (assuming the blend doo still moves when the remnants of the arms move), take a screw with the head cut off and bent with an “L” on end, twist it into the old actuator arm, and epoxy it in place. Just ensure it is properly oriented and moves correctly when the actuator tells it to.
Third and maybe easiest, since you only plan on running AC, put a screwdriver in the hole and move the blend door to the position you want and epoxy the remnants of the actuator in place.
Final and best suggestion, discount everything I said and follow Mac’s advice.
Try running tight fitting coarse thread wood or drywall screw as deep as possible into the broken actuator and give it a quick, sharp, and straight pull. The best case scenario is that it breaks free; worst case… well, it is already the worst case.
Alternatively, and more complex (assuming the blend doo still moves when the remnants of the arms move), take a screw with the head cut off and bent with an “L” on end, twist it into the old actuator arm, and epoxy it in place. Just ensure it is properly oriented and moves correctly when the actuator tells it to.
Third and maybe easiest, since you only plan on running AC, put a screwdriver in the hole and move the blend door to the position you want and epoxy the remnants of the actuator in place.
Final and best suggestion, discount everything I said and follow Mac’s advice.
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Thanks guys! Tried the screw/yank out but just got a little piece…based on how gunked up that star key opening is I’m worried PO glued too much and it won’t rotate. I’ll try jamming a screwdriver in later today and fingers crossed or looks like I’m off to a junkyard and days of tearing out the dash
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