1993 upper vents don't work

[WRG]

I can hear a noise when I change the lever from another position, like a flap moves, but the cold air won't come out of the upper center vent. It comes out of the floor, sides and some defrost in that mode. Anybody familiar with this problem and what is involved in repairing it?

Thanks

[yotatechie04]

The air duct in the dash has probably came disconnected from the middle vents. In some cases, this can be fixed by removing the dash, and in some cases it's something as minor as removing the glovebox. You'll have to figure out how to access the duct work on it.

[WRG]

That makes sense. I'll try the glove box first. I don't have a clue where to begin to take the dash apart though if I need to.

Thanks

[300+]

The dash comes apart easily if you are careful.
Pry carefully at bottom of trim of lighter trim piece.
There are 2 clips at bottom holding it in.
Two screws above spedo dash.
I believe two more at bottom edge by radio.
One under heater knob. Four more once dash off.
Pry around trim starting at left and work right. If anything hangs too hard look for a screw.
Just be careful I have a 92 and figured it out. You'll do fine.

[yotatechie04]

Yep, just check the glove box, dash removal isn't too difficult, it's just very time consuming. Just as long as you're careful, and don't try to rush it, you'll be all right. Just follow 300+ instructions...best of luck.

[Kings1967]

Let's say your 93 Camry has the factory alarm w/ the LED light on the left side of the steering wheel on the dash. How would one remove that LED light and put it back without damaging it? I can remove the dash, but that LED light is what's stopping me from full removal (I want to replace burned out bulbs behind the dash for A/C etc.). I checked my Haynes manual, but no luck. Any ideas on how to disconnect that light? Thanks guys.

[yotatechie04]

I actually think that you can pry the panel out with a small, flathead screwdriver. At least I know this is the case with newer model Toyotas...I'm almost definitely sure that it isn't fastened in there any other way other than retaining clips.

[WRG]

I took out the glove box but couldn't get anywhere that I think the problem would be. With ingition off I can hear what sounds like a little motor that moves levers. Is that what I'm looking for? I don't know what's causing the problem. The vent seems to be attached from what I could see. If I take the dash cover off, can I see inside where the vents and controls are?
Thanks

[WRG]

Now that it's cold weather I've found that the defroster doesn't blow air on the windshield nor does the AC compressor egage to help defog like it should. I can push the AC button and it will eventually dry the air enough in the car to defog the windshield also. The center upper vent for the AC still doesn't have air come out of it, so that problem and the defogger problem appear to be related. I tried to get into the center part through the glove box but I can only see the side of all of the vents and controls. Is this a vacuum, electrical or mechanical problem?

Just a thought. Can a fuse be out that controls some relay to all of this? I need to know how this system works so I can figure this problem out.

Some facts: The air seems to blow good. The AC gets cold. The heater gets hot. It's a 4 cylinder autmatic. Thermostat has been changed.

Thanks for the help

[Billthe3]

I have the same problem in my 93 i4 auto. I took the dash apart and didn't see anything obviously wrong with any of the ducting, but I still am not getting any air out of those center ducts either. It all comes out of the defrost and sides, as well as the feet when its set to that. AC and the rest of the system works correctly.

If you figure out whats causing it in yours, please say what it is.


Don't you use heat for defrost? That's what I've always done... Someone else told me ac recently though.

[carloskeyair]

I had the same problem, once you have the center of the dash off, look straight on the left side. There you will see the mechanism that move back and forth and with a bright flashlite you will see one of the rods out of the hole. They do not sell this part and it is about 800$ to replace the whole thing. You can find a plastic hinge that is the same as the one that holds the rods on the door locks and replace the one behind the dash. It is upper left side of the vents.

[Random Conjucture]

Could you tell me what the part number is for that plastic door hinge you used to replace the center damper one?