No airflow through vents - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

m3nd1n0 · 09-12-2011, 04:29 PM

This is my first post so I apologize if this was already discussed in the past.

I have a 2011 Camry SE. This morning when I left for work, I turned the dial setting to defog my windshield and left the setting that way. At lunch, I decided to go for a car wash. After the wash, I noticed that there was very little no airflow through all of the vents no matter what setting i chose. Did a little research and figured out where the cabin filter was. It was behind the glove box and youtube provided instructions on how to replace it. When I pulled it out, air started flowing through the vents. Furthermore, the filter was soaking wet.

My theory is that leaving the setting to defog sets it to "fresh air" and opens it up to the outside. When I got the car wash, water somehow got in and was absorbed by the cabin filter causing the blockage. I will re-install the filter once it is dry.

This sounds like a flawed design to me.

Glenn8963 · 09-12-2011, 04:53 PM

i do not believe i have ever experienced this. i have a '10 myself.

aznlunatic206 · 09-12-2011, 05:34 PM

ive never had this issue, and i wash my car twice a week and i have a 2011 se

gdanaher · 09-12-2011, 08:18 PM

I've never had this part of the car apart but logic suggests that there is a drain to the side that would handle water that runs down into the vent inlet area. You might need to pull the cover off and see if you have some leaves or other debris that has clogged it.