Is there a filter in the dash area??

[nancy361]

Hi

I was wondering about the black filter thats in the dash area. I have a 99 dakota sport club cab v-6 magnum. I have been getting these bits and pieces of black filter coming thru the AC vents. Anyone know what this filter is and where all it is and maybe why it all came apart and is blowing out thru the vents?
Not doing it much anymore, i think most of it is gone now.

1 other thing, i think something isnt working right . when in the summer i had the AC going it was fine but then it was raining and then i needed to put defrost on and when i turn the knob that switches from AC to heater or defroster 1 or the other wouldnt work. I could hear the flap that closes from AC to heater etc like its stuck and so defroster would stay on if i switched to AC or heater. i guess that flap that changes to the different vents is stuck or something.

thanks
nancy/PA.

[jpb53]

Sounds like a pack rat has possibly chewed up the underhood sound insulation. Open the hood and check it out. Could be that is what is causing a problem with the doors inside to jamb or not close properly.

[nancy361]

no no rat inside chewing anything....

its apparently a filter that is behind the vents in the dash. is there a filter in there? if so what does it do? i guess after almost 10yrs of having this it got dry rotted and broke apart and when AC or heat or defrost is on the filter pieces come thru the vents.. is this insultaion and not a filter? it looks like a filter type you can see thru it somewhat.

****Could be that is what is causing a problem with the doors inside to jamb or not close properly.***

this isnt part of my post... doors open and close fine...

what i was saying was sticking was when i turn the knob that controls the heater or AC or defrost. the flap INSIDE that allows you to switch to the different modes must be stuck. sometimes heat wont come out of appropriate ducts and vents or AC air wont come out of vents OR defrost air that comes out on the dash stays that way even if i turn knob to heat. you can hear the flap thingy like its stuck...

[jpb53]

There is no cabin filter in a Dakota. Reading your post again it is possible you have a vacuum leak in the system and that is why the doors are not operating properly. Something has come apart inside or it has sucked something into the unit. Either from the outside from the cowl area or inside when recirc air is used.

[99 Neon R/T]

No filter but the mixer duct door bas a black foam seal that can get old and deteriorate causing small pieces to get blown through the vents.If a decent chunk falls off it could fall off and bind the mixer door up causing it to switch over slowly or even not at all.

[nancy361]

99 neon, sounds like you are on the money here. it is black and like a foamy filtery material. and that could be the reason why the flap is sticking. ill have it looked at. and i guess id have to take the dash apart to do that correct??

thanks again

[99 Neon R/T]

Originally Posted by nancy361

99 neon, sounds like you are on the money here. it is black and like a foamy filtery material. and that could be the reason why the flap is sticking. ill have it looked at. and i guess id have to take the dash apart to do that correct??

thanks again

Yeah unfortunately I think that is your only option unless you just want to bear it and hopefully let the blockage work its way out.