Dash removal for A/C noise? (Solved)

Hello,

I've tried searching a couple ways for info on dash removal for 2nd gens - no luck on YouTube either. I need to get inside the passenger side A/C vents to look for loose foam or a stuck leaf or whatever it is fluttering in there.

It LOOKS like the vent grilles might just pull out once the radio is out, but I really don't want to just start prying stuff to see if I can figure it out blind.

Thanks!

 

I don't have an answer to your specific question, but have you looked at the cabin air filter and blower motor behind the glove box yet?

 

I can’t imagine trying to get into the dash, I would think definitely go the simplest route like behind the glove box and where the cabin filter is, if it’s a leaf it would need to go that way to get in. This maybe a good time to use one of those camera probes?

 

^^ This. Definitely start with the easy stuff first.

Followed by this. Do it while the blower motor is out if you haven’t located the source of the noise.

 

I've already done that, and have determined that it is not the blower motor, the blend doors, or any of the other stuff accessible from the footwell. The noise is clearly speed dependent and coming from somewhere inside the passenger side inboard vent.

If I close those specific louvers all the way, the noise stops, which leads me to believe that it is indeed a piece of foam seal, leaf, dead cricket, or whatever lodged in there in a way I can't reach from the footwell.

 

The center bezel that carries the AC louvers and the head unit is held in by 8 push clips - the yellow guys in the below pic, same as what hold in the head unit:


The driver's side sits under the dash cluster trim with a lip. You can get it out without loosening the dash cluster trim but trust me, you can't get it back in without doing it:


The culprit was loose raggedy foam filler from the driver/passenger AC split manifold:


I ran a coathanger with a scotchbrite pad wadded up on the end through the manifold. A shitload of foam dust came out but the noise was still there.

After running a razor between the seam (as shown above, right above the wire bundle) and stuffing the scotchbrite through again, a big chunk of foam came free. Noise gone.

 

I have a funny little noise in the same area. You're the pro now, come on over and get to work!

 

Sure, bring it by any time.

 

Did you use one of those snaky cameras that wires up to your smartphone/computer? You could hopefully go backwards thru the vents as well as forward from the blower hole.

Do you mean it's vehicle speed dependent, or blower motor speed?

Did some searching, came up with this post. Not heavy on details but maybe enough to shed some light.

(Edit) Dang, take a few extra minutes to poke around on TW and not only are there a buncha new posts, but you've solved it already. I like it!

 

Problem's solved (above post) but thanks!