Item in defrost vent

MWINES · #1 12-17-2005, 02:35 PM

Is there a way to retrieve an item, an engagement ring, that fell down the defrost vent on top of the dash? I have taken out the front cover of the dash but just see more stuff in the way.

bigrod118 · #2 12-17-2005, 05:46 PM

do you have any actual idea of where it might be. because you can take off the defrost cover, its actually very easy. I had to take it off when installing my DRL/ALC bypass kit.

but I ran my wires down right underneath the DRL light sensor, so if it fell in the vents around that area, it might have fallen down to the floor, did you check there.

MWINES · #3 12-17-2005, 10:49 PM

I don't know where it's at. It's not on the floor. The defrost louvers are part of the whole front of thr dash, no cover to speak of. Could it have fallen all the way down to the foot warmer vents? BTW,it's a 2001

bigrod118 · #4 12-17-2005, 10:57 PM

ok, so your talking about the dash trim vents, not the actual defroster vent by the windsheild?

because to get the the dash trim vents you would have to remove the whole front dash trim, and it wouldnt have gon ein there. but you can take that defronter vent cover off, the one that sits right up against the windshield. you just have to take off both fuse panel covers on the sides, in the door jam, then both a pillars, then that whole defroster vent cover is just held in by clips, just start at a side and pull up, gently, but firmly, with steady pressure. you might need to have a fashlight and look down in the vents from outsdie the car since you wont be able to see much front insdie the car, just peek in thru the windshield down into the vents. but im not exactly sure how the routing for all the vents go, but you could try looking more near the blower motor, cuz if the plumbing for the vents is flat enough, it could have travelled down there, but if it made it that far you would probably hear it in the motor when you turn it on.

ummm, well clarify where it fell into, the top defronter vents, or the front dash trim vents that are adjustable, then I could look in the service manuals and see if I can find how to remove the plumbing for the vent system, it would proabably be a PITA, but it might be the only way your going to find it.

MWINES · #5 12-17-2005, 11:24 PM

Sorry about the confusion, it went down the vent on top of the dash, up near the windshield.

bigrod118 · #6 12-19-2005, 06:32 PM

WOW! ummm how good are you at working on cars, more importnatly, ripping them aprt and putting them back together. this really si going to be a PITA, no matter how you slice it. this might be something that you want to take it to a dealership or shop and have them do.

but its up to you, I can take pictures of all the pages im finding on how to remove the ducts, but it does not look easy at all.

bobss396 · #7 12-20-2005, 08:39 AM

I would try to fish it out with a piece of duct tape doubled up on a piece of coat hanger wire. Or maybe some fun-tack that is used to hang posters. Place a piece of wax paper against the windshield so it won't stick on the way in. Maybe on the dash as well.

Bob

bigrod118 · #8 12-20-2005, 04:42 PM

well that is one idea, usually it mght work, but most likey not in this case. the ducting that goes to your defroter vents is only about 4 - 5'' deep then it goes sideways at a 90* angle. so most likely it hit bottom then slide to the side in which it proabably made it to a whole mess of turns and drops and valves that it could easily get stuck in, from what I saw in the schematics, its most likey pretty burried and stuck in there.

have you heard any kind of rattling or movement of the ring in the ducting, or have you turned on your blower motor and heard anything. I would say go out and take a few hard turns and try to get the ring moving, so you can try to ehar where it might have fell to.

MWINES · #9 12-29-2005, 08:03 PM

I can hear it slide from side to side when I take hard turns, it sounds like it is the middle of the dash. Any pictures or drawings of the vent ducting?

bigrod118 · #10 12-29-2005, 09:27 PM

ok, you asked for it, but I warned you. it'll take me a while, and ill have to figure out some way to cordinate them so it makes sense to you, but expect it to be about 40+ pictures of instructions.

EDIT: ok, so it'll be even more pictures and there not coming out very clear. I understand this is your engagement ring, but how long is your time line of when you want this out. cuz I think I may be able to order a manual on disk so I shouldbe able to just copy the pictures from that, but it would take a few days. other wise ill have to cut out every page by hand and thatll take some time to.

MWINES · #11 01-04-2006, 04:51 PM

I'd like to get it out soon, but I'm not in a huge hurry to get it. We're married whether or not she's wearing it

bigrod118 · #12 01-04-2006, 05:04 PM

well I did order the CD manual and once it gets here and I install it, you should have your answer if this thing is any good.

bigrod118 · #13 01-08-2006, 11:20 PM

bobss396 · #14 01-09-2006, 07:13 AM

Yeah take it to the dealer and you get: "We took the whole thing apart and found no ring, only this acorn that must have been the noise. Oh yes, the total comes to $858.43 in labor, $0.21 for a stripped screw we had to replace."

Bob

billyo69 · #15 01-09-2006, 07:21 AM

Bob

I have been to that same dealer before..

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