Car assembly has become rather chintzy over the past 15 years. Nuts, bolts and screws seem to have become supplanted by clip and friction fit means. That part of the dash that holds the lever is entirely clipped (strategic mind you) and it really pays to visit a wrecking yard or U Pull to try disassembling a dash in there first. You can even bring the parts home for reference. For a lark last year I hauled the center dash out of an dead Echo just to see how difficult it is to access the radio. There are no nuts or bolts or screws but if you don't pry, pinch or pull in a specific sequence things crack or break. You don't want that happening to your own car!

Good luck!

 

I think the linkage clip coming out is the most probable. It's not too tough to get to once you pull the control panel off.

I was just looking at old posts and for some reason I never got notified on these--I definitely wasn't ignoring you guys, lol. I still haven't gotten around to it, but one of these years I will.

 

I think the linkage clip coming out is the most probable. It's not too tough to get to once you pull the control panel off.

 

Issue Resolved!

Dealer Part Price: $10-$15
My Price: $0.40

That recirculation lever has 2 posts. There is a cable (kinda/sorta like a bicycle shift cable) that pushes or pulls the recirc. vent open. Only one is used on the Echo. Mine broke, but the way the plastic post was molded, the hole from which it was molded from was still intact. So, I went to the hardware store and got a small threaded screw and a couple nuts and a washer (I should have gotten 2 washers, oh well). I put the screw in through the bottom, so the screw/shaft sticks up (like the post it replaces). Then I put the washer on (for the cable loop to ride on).Then put the cable loop on that, with a nut to lock it down. The shaft was a little too high and rubs the inside of the dash panel and theres a little more resistance when sliding the lever back and forth, but it works! Glad I finally got around to fixing it. I could/should get a 2nd washer to put under the nut so the cable loop is sandwiched between 2 washers, but oh well. It works.