Vent Control Problem - 2002 4cyl. Camry

[GoldenTacoMan]

Hi everyone. I did a search to see if anyone else had reported this but couldn't find anything. I am having a problem where something is blocking (?) air flow to the foot vents. It works fine when the vent control is set to face or to defrost. When it is set to face and foot or defrost and foot, there is still some flow from defrost or face, but nothing from foot. I have listened while turning the control knob and you can hear mechanics whirring through each of the settings. But when it is set to the foot settings and the fan is on the air almost sounds "trapped" within the dash. Also noticed that if I put fan on highest setting and switch between the different vents, when I come back to the face vent it won't be working, but if I turn the fan down one or two notches, the face vents come back on. Suggestions or similar experiences?

[wduncanjr]

I was having a very similar problem on my '02 Camry. In my case, all vents and the vent control worked fine, except that absolutely **NO** air would come out of the under dash floor vents for any setting of the controls. Whenever I selected a floor vent setting (especially the "floor only" setting), I could hear the air hissing loudly as though the ventilation system was under pressure and escaping through any crack it could find, but with no discernible air flow from the under dash floor vent.

I found the problem under the dash... The mechanical connection between the motor and the arm controlling the floor vent door was disconnected. I was able to fix it in a few minutes; with no tools or parts.

If you think this might be the same problem you are facing, let me know and I'll send you some info on how I fixed mine.

[GoldenTacoMan]

Originally Posted by wduncanjr

If you think this might be the same problem you are facing, let me know and I'll send you some info on how I fixed mine.

Yes, this sounds exactly like what's happening w/ mine. Any help would be much appreciated!

[sundarpn]

2002 Camry. The floor vent position alone wasn't working. (no air from floor vent)

The lever with the pin had come out of the other level that has the track. See the PIC and fix is simple.

Lie down under the steering with a flash light and you can see it. I stuck my camera and pictures from that found it!


http://picasaweb.google.com/sundar.p...82772551445074

http://picasaweb.google.com/sundar.p...82775972139954

[golfmike304]

I am having the same problem with no air going to the floor, I really hope that this is the problem I am having. When I get home I am going to check it out first thing. Thanks so much.

I went home and looked under the dash at the steering wheel area. and there it was. my problem all along whas just what Sundarpn had said. I put the linkage back where it was supposed to be and now I have air blowing to the floor. My wife loves you. Well she loves me for fixing it and I have you to thank that I was able to fix it. It has been broke for about 2 years now. I am soo happy that you posted this thread.

Thanks again,

Mike

[golfmike304]

Originally Posted by wduncanjr

I was having a very similar problem on my '02 Camry. In my case, all vents and the vent control worked fine, except that absolutely **NO** air would come out of the under dash floor vents for any setting of the controls. Whenever I selected a floor vent setting (especially the "floor only" setting), I could hear the air hissing loudly as though the ventilation system was under pressure and escaping through any crack it could find, but with no discernible air flow from the under dash floor vent.

I found the problem under the dash... The mechanical connection between the motor and the arm controlling the floor vent door was disconnected. I was able to fix it in a few minutes; with no tools or parts.

If you think this might be the same problem you are facing, let me know and I'll send you some info on how I fixed mine.

Thanks to you all Wdcanjr and Sundarpn for your great description and fix for this problem. I am so grateful for your posts and spot on fix. It was awesome to fix my car with no tools and in just a matter of minutes it was done. I can't believe it was that easy. I know this post saved me hundreds on a repair bil. God bless you for this thread. and fix.

Mike Houston
golfmike304@gmail.com

[timky1]

I put my pin back in, it stayed there for about 6 months, then came out again. Any suggestions on keeping it in.

[PEHunter]

Anyone have the pictures sundar posted? I have the same problem and just checked under the dash. I can see a cam or wheel turn when I change switch positions on the vent control, but I cannot see a linkage that I need to restore. All vent positions work except for controlling the flow to the floor, either directly or blended with the flow to the face. Thanks.

[mogambo]

Any pictures to find the location. I cant seem to locate the area. Thanks for the help..

[mogambo]

ok i found it. here are some tips. it is located more towards the wall of center console. Ideally you require one another person while you are looking undereath, to change the fan direction setting so as to easily locate the part. It is a black part with a white latch. the white part is disconnected. pardon my explanation but tried to do my best.

[timky1]

Anyone pull the seat to make this easier? I have the same problem on my 2002, removed the dash last time, don't want to do that again. Due to back issues I can't quite squirm into small spaces when I do.