Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Air Vent Control Gremlin

We've had our first night of cold weather this week, and yesterday I used my defroster for the first time since Spring. It worked fine and once the windows were clear, I tried to switch the airflow to the dash vents. But now air will only blow out of the defroster vents no matter where the switch is set (dash, floor, etc.) Does anyone know how to fix this problem, and is it something I could do in my driveway?

P.S. Who's the genius who put the PCV valve under the exhaust manifold?

Check the archives... I had exactly the same problem. THere is a vacuum actuator under the dash on on dr side, towards the center. Look for a small silver color can. The arm probably has slipped off the actuator. You may need to dive under the dash, on your back, with the seat down.

This is not a Gremlin, it is just an example of a very BAD engineering

It could also be your vacuum lines. The switch is operated by vacuum, and apparently the default setting is to the defroster. Check for a loose vacuum line, or a vacuum line with a leak.

I had the same problem with mine, took it into a shop and the told me that it was a bad vacum line. they fixed it got it back to me the next day and my control was back. Mind you this was before I found the CEG or I would have fixed it myself.

Thanks for all your help! I really need to spend some quality time under the hood of this car since it's at 92,000 miles and little things are starting to go wrong with it that are frustrating but easily fixed.

I'm going to check the actuator under the dash and the vacuum lines some night this week. I'm beginning to believe the vacuum leak theory because the sound of the engine has changed slightly. It runs slightly rough when cold, but is just fine when it reaches operating temp. About a month ago, I had the tranny flushed and the kid at my friend's shop had to move the MAF airbox to get to the dipstick. Doing so cracked a main vacuum line at the center of the engine compartment right next to the firewall. The car idled terribly and refused to stay started, and the loud whooshing sound under the hood was my main clue as to what was wrong. Why did the hose crack? Because it's made of cheap thin PLASTIC, not rubber or even stainless steel. We fixed it with electrical tape until I can replace the line. I love this car and I hope it runs forever, but this seems like yet another example of shoddy engineering under the hood.

P.S. Thanks to the two Sooners who replied from this battered and bruised Iowa State fan!

Originally posted by 95ContourGL:

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This is not a Gremlin, it is just an example of a very BAD engineering

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Much like the placement of the Oil Filter

95ContourGL wins the Christmas goose! I popped the vacuum canister tab to the air vent control actuator and 10 seconds later the problem was solved! Thanks to all who replied.