Socket down the defrost vent...

Hi all,

A couple weeks ago I replaced my defrost vent cover and in the process dropped a small socket down the vent. I wasn't worried about it it wasn't rattling around or anything so I just left it down there. Fast forward to now and I changed the air flow setting to defrost and the blend door made a grinding noise and there is barely any airflow from the defrost vent. I can only surmise that this is due to the socket that is now residing in the vent. So I popped the cover off and attempted to fish the socket out with a magnet, but no luck.

So, my question is - Is there an any way to access wherever that vent leads without pulling out the dash? Perhaps from the outside or under the dash?

Thank you

Try sticking a magnet to a piece of cable with epoxy that you can twist through the passages. Taking the ventilation apart looks tough.

How about shots of compressed air to the floor vents....maybe shake something loose.
....note to self, keep stuff away from the defrost vents.

Try sticking a magnet to a piece of cable with epoxy that you can twist through the passages. Taking the ventilation apart looks tough.

How about shots of compressed air to the floor vents....maybe shake something loose.
....note to self, keep stuff away from the defrost vents.

Thanks for the reply, Chris. Tried the magnet trick to no avail, will try the compressed air to see if that'll shake it loose, it's not rolling around wherever it is as I don't hear anything so maybe it's stuck. Might see if I can get a borescope so I can see down in there and locate it.

If you hear it close, we are allowed to drill a hole and mend it with gorilla duct tape.

Thanks for the reply, Chris. Tried the magnet trick to no avail, will try the compressed air to see if that'll shake it loose, it's not rolling around wherever it is as I don't hear anything so maybe it's stuck. Might see if I can get a borescope so I can see down in there and locate it.

:lol: Thanks, Chris!