[PJR587]

I recently purchased a '13 Corolla, and a couple times while driving, I opened the glove box and there was a significant breeze running through. Yesterday, I opened it while parked with the door open, and the wind blew right through. Upon removing the glove box to inspect, I found that there's a large ventilated area above the cabin air filter cartridge. It's a flat area about one inch high by four inches long, with ovate cutouts in it that look like they belong. I can't believe that this would be sensible, except that possibly it is for recirculating cabin air, except there's no flap to close it. I used some hot glue and a red piece of plastic to close it off and see how it effects operation. But my question is, is this the way it is supposed to be?

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

I would have to look at mine to see what it looks like and see if a piece is missing on your car.

 

[PJR587]

I appreciate the response, thank you. I was hoping someone would keep my post in mind, and investigate the question if they changed the cabin air filter, or felt like dropping the glove box down.

I will wait patiently for an answer, it seems to be working fine this way. I just want to make sure I'm not missing a design function. The way the part looks and feels, it doesn't seem like anything broke off or was removed, so I am interested in why it would be the way it is.

 

[stvotw]

Had a chance to look at mine. There is a flap there. Seems to be made out of a lightweight cloth material. On mine it is attached at the top and on the inside of the housing.

 

[PJR587]

Thanks for looking and responding. I suppose I'll leave the plastic in place until I fully understand why others have cloth, then decide whether to fix it permanently, or install cloth.

So, I wonder out loud here, why did they go to the trouble of the cloth, when it could have been solid plastic? Perhaps to allow for limited recirculation? Or to provide air to the blower in case of ice or other obstructions on the outside intake? It's not gonna matter in ten thousand years, but what about in five degree temps, or whatever condition that prompted the additional labor and material to put cloth there?