'96 S-10: No air is currently coming out of the upper vent when I use either the air conditioner or outside air settings, even with the fan speed set to the highest position. I can hear air beating up behind the louvered vents on the dash, as if there's a blockage behind it, but no air is coming out. Air does come out the bottom vent, but it's not a very forceful flow.

I'm thinking maybe mice have built a nest in there. Had that happen to another vehicle a few years ago. Lots of deer mice up here in the Colorado Rockies.

Anyway, what's the easiest way to get in there to see what may be blocking the air flow? Anybody know?

Tx

 

As far as I know, the A/C only blows out the front vents. Not the top (defroster) vents.

 

Try selecting defrost to see if the air flow increases to the windshield.

If not, the defrost vent grill just prys/pulls out, however the tabs will most likely break off, especially on a '96 due to age. Have seen new ones on ebay.

Then at least you would be able to try to dislodge any nest in there with a length of wire. Full access requires dash to be removed.

 

Thanks. I'll try the defroster vent.

How would I get the dash off (if you have experience doing that) in the easiest way possible?

Suppose it could be one of the actuators too, according to what I'm reading on another thread here, but I wouldn't know how to swap any of those out or even know where they are, or how expensive they are. This is our mountain utility vehicle, a third car, so I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on it.

Hmmm...Maybe I'll take it to a local shop to have them investigate what's wrong with it and go from there.

 

Thanks, Tony. By "upper vent," I didn't mean the defroster vent. Sorry. I meant the main vent coming out of the dash. Haven't tested the defroster vent yet.