Anyone have this same problem: The duct on top of the dash in the center seems to blow about 70% of the air with the other 30% coming through the 4 dash vents. This REALLY bugs me. The Mini A/C would work so much better in my car if 70% came out the dash vents.

1. How do you take out the center vent? If I could take it out I could manufacturer something to block off the air and thus forcing it through the dash vents.

2. Anyone know of another way about this?

Texas Heat is starting to roll in, so making my A/C as efficient as possible is a high priority.

Thanks a lot for any input,

Chris

 

Caidaudio,

In order to block that top dash vent, you'll need to remove the entire top dash. It's not as hard as it sounds. On the left and right side of the dash are two smooth plastic inserts. Open the car doors wide open, and the inserts are easy to access. Take something like a butter knife wrapped in shipping tape (to prevent scrapes), and wedge it into the inserts and carefully and slowly pry them off from front to back. There are tabs that can be pressed down, but it's impossible to tell you where they are via written text. Go slow, and you'll be OK. Once those plastic inserts are removed, you'll see a couple of torx screws on each side of the dash. Remove those.

Now, the entire dash will come off when pulled toward you and up. The dash in my 2003 uses industrial strength Velcro across the front to secure it along with the four screws on the sides. That vent piece you'll see is molded or glued into the entire dash panel. When pulling the dash out, take notice of the tach. It likes to catch there.

Sounds scary, but it goes really easy. From there, you should be able to block the top vent in some way.

Good luck,
JS

 

set the vents to the front and turn of the "auto" setting. be sure to recirculate the interior air it will cool quicker too (but you already knew that )

 

Thanks a lot. removal dosen't sound very bad at all. After removing pretty much the whole rear and the center dash, I think that will be a snap. I don't have the Auto A/C, so it's pretty much all in my control. I'll see what I can so and post my findings. Thanks again,

Chris

 

How do you take out the center vent?
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Beware of the law of unintended consequences. Stopping up the center vent might affect your defrosting efficiency, when that time of the year comes around.

 

Phoenix has been hot lately. And only 3 more months of 100+ days left.
Let me know how the removal of the dash goes. I had no idea that all that air was pumped through that top vent. I have been leaning to the right when I drive so I can feel the AC from the 2 center vents. I would love to block that top vent and force that air out the front.

By the way, it still blows through the top vent when you press the top vent button.