Hi guys my center vents on an 82 300D will not open by themselves. I beleive I have a pad pod way in the back up hi almost to the windshield so I just havent replaced it yet. In the meentime I have been opening it with a curved stick ounce the AC was on and running and the flap would stay open and everything was fine until yesterday. The flap wont stay open now?? Have I messed it up? Anybody have any ideas? Thanks Tom 82 300D

Tom,

I have 85's and yours may be different. I am now slowly learning all things related to the Climate Control System and center pod replacement seems to be one of the key items on the list. In my wanderings on this and other forums, I believe someone posted to a thread wherein the two (one?) center pod is accessible by removing the glovebox. The comment was to replace, not repair. Check here in the DIY section (pods also apply to the gassers) and search here.

Good luck. Sorry I could not be more specific.

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1985 300D "Old Blue" 265,000 (parts car )
1985 300D "Gray Ghost" 245,000
1985 300D "Silver Bullet" 160,000
1975 914 VW/Porsche "BC Car" 125,000
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hi tj,

i own a 87 300d turbo and if yours is anything like mine, there is an allen bolt that secures to a white object with two threaded holes. the white thing attaches on a pivot to the a/c vent door. when you roll the vent open or closed, the allen bolt moves with the vent wheel and pivots the door open or closed.

i just changed mine out last night because the vent louvers were busted. on my 87, there is a side screw that is accessible from the glove compartment. then there is the allen bolt that i mentioned. then there are 3 (iirc) tabs that need to be lifted towards the middle/inner part of the whole vent assembly. then you can pry it outwards.

hopefully that helps

bob

i did the ghetto fix with my non opening center vent. i reached in through the glove box, peeled off the rubber cowl to gain access, and ripped the vent plate out by it's roots. presto center vents always open. control heat throughput in the winter by closing the 2 vents manually.
not pretty but easier than removing the dash that is for sure

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

You can also remove the glove box and disconnect the linkage between the pod and damper actuator. You should then be able to position it where it stays open all the time. If you bent it then the best resolution may be to rip it out.

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Jim

Thanks for your input guys. Gave me a couple of options to go on.
I dont think it is bent or broken because all I would need to do is give the flap a slight push and it would open and stay open but now it just goes right back closed.So I think I just need a new pod just havent gotten there yet. I was looking at it today and unhooking the linkage till I can replace the pod is a good idea thow.

Is it possable I had just a slight leak in the pod and thats why it needed a little help opening and now the leak got bigger and it wont hold it open?? Or am I just dreaming here? Thanks Tom 82 300D

That could well be the case. I would suggest removing it.

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Jim

Pod might have a leak, certainly, but it could also be the hose acting as a coupling to the hard vac line or the hard vac line iteself.

Your DIY vac test kit should include short bits of hose (couplings) and some golf Tees. Disconnect the line to the pod, inspect the coupling hose, replace if suspect, plug with a golf Tee, then pull vac with your MityVac, just a couple of -lbs and see it if holds. If OK, then it's the pod, if it doesn't hold vac, the pod MAY be OK and you need to look first at the vac lilne.

Replace suspect line parts and test again.

Oh, and don't forget, if you are using professional Tees, remember to shout Fore!

__________________
FRANKNBENZ

1985 300D "Old Blue" 265,000 (parts car )
1985 300D "Gray Ghost" 245,000
1985 300D "Silver Bullet" 160,000
1975 914 VW/Porsche "BC Car" 125,000
2010 Prius "Shocking!" 60,000
Text Message only: 301-728-1115

Your 82 and my 85 are the same, pod and vent-wise, I believe. I had the same problem. and a MityVac test shows the pod now won't hold vacuum.

You have to pull the dash to R&R that pod, a lot of work. Instead, pull the glove box liner, push aside the rubber thing that connects the a/c box to the two center pods, and remove the actuating arm from the center vent flap. Then it will stay open all the time, which is what you want anyway. (In the winter, it's nice to have heat from the center as well as from the outside vents and the floor.)

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

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Thanks for the tips. I will check it out. Tom 82 300D

Thank you!

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