X5 2001 Windshield Vent Defroster Questions

[Mungo]

I have read other related posts, but they seemed to be referencing other year models or HVAC setups dissimilar to the setup in my 2001 3.0 X5.

My setup has three knobs. 1. Temperature, 2. Airflow vent selector, 3. Airflow speed.

Having removed the front air vent, it appears that at least a few of the airflow vent flaps are operated via a blue cable. Does this mean that they are manually (mechanically) controlled, as oppposed to electronically controlled?

The issue that I am experiencing is as such.

The front windshield vents will not blow air, so I cannot defrost the front windshield. All other vents/flaps seem to work well, and closing all the other vents/flaps still does not direct the airflow to the windshield.


Thanks in advance

[Mungo]

I found my answer, decided to post the results in case anyone else runs into the same issue.

I indeed have a manual link cable from the knob controlling the vents to the flap that opens the airflow to the windshield. The cable had popped off.

I removed the glove compartment to view the cable and the flap door, but the problem was right behind the knob itself.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...LooseKnob1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...GloveView1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...pflaplink1.jpg

Forgot to explain the fix.....

The easy and first place to look, is behind the vent control knob. You can pry out the control panel using a panel removal tool. Carefully of course.

The cost was $0.

[SlickGT1]

Great fix. Always nice when a fix is $0.