vent selector question..

[Elsestar]

Okay bear with me as the part I am looking for is hard to explain...

My ac/heat vent selector is not working! When I took the dash apart and was looking inside i found the problem. there is a cable that pulls a plate that selects where the air goes to. the problem is piece where the cable connects to the dash vent selector/dial...is this a piece I can buy or fabricate or does it mean a whole new unit?

also, on a completely unrelated note, I am looking to go back to a stock exhaust (or something that is not as loud/droney as what is there now which from what I have been told is the mazda speed exhaust) Either that or a way to quiet the inside? what are your thoughts?

 

[pasadena_commut]

My ac/heat vent selector is not working! When I took the dash apart and was looking inside i found the problem. there is a cable that pulls a plate that selects where the air goes to. the problem is piece where the cable connects to the dash vent selector/dial...is this a piece I can buy or fabricate or does it mean a whole new unit?

There is a round loop on the end of the cable and that slides over a white plastic post on the rotating wheel. Additionally there are black retaining clips in various places that hold the cable at the correct angle. Usually what happens is that the clips come loose, and the cable moves out of position. Sometimes after that the loop pops off of the post. But nothing breaks, just snap it all back in place. Is the post still attached to the rotating wheel?

 

[Elsestar]

Pasadena Commut...

no, the little piece that the loop in the cable attaches to (at the dash) is broken...That is what I am looking to buy/fabricate...any suggestions on finding that piece only and not the whole shabang?

erik

 

[kboutsider]

i broke the same thing i just super glued the piece back on and haven't had a problem since sill holding strong that was about a year ago.

 

[pasadena_commut]

i broke the same thing i just super glued the piece back on and haven't had a problem since sill holding strong that was about a year ago.

Really? Super glue is much stronger in tension than in shear, I'm surprised (but glad) it has held out so long.

For the OP, as I recall the front face of the wheel is reasonably clear of other structures. You should be able to fab up a replacement post with a fairly wide base (so the whole part is T shaped in cross section) and glue it on. The wide base should make it strong enough to stay on. Otherwise, call the dealer's parts department and see if you can buy a replacement for the white plastic wheel. Don't be surprised if it only comes as part of a much larger, more expensive, assembly.