[xj40] AC center Vent Vacuum Solenoid

I have recently been searching for an explanation for the decreased air flow through the center
vents and constant air flow through defroster/demister vents in my 88 VDP. I have checked both
the blowers are in working order. While seeking the AC computer in-line fuse I decided to remove
the center air conditioning duct cover. I immediately discovered my problem. The the center vent
duct opening I could see that a vacuum solenoid located in front of and between the two center
vent doors had come apart. A 6’’ spring from inside the vacuum solenoid? was caught in one of
the center vent doors allowing the small air flow which had been detected. Withoutthis vacuum
solenoid the center vent doors will not open, nor will the defroster doors close. The question I have
is can this vacuum solenoid be replaced/repaired without removing the dashboard?–
DRKSJ 88VDP
Richmond, KY, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Larry (DRKSJ) wrote:

The the center vent > duct opening I could see that a vacuum solenoid located in front > of and between the two center > vent doors had come apart. A 6'' spring from inside the vacuum > solenoid? was caught in one of > the center vent doors allowing the small air flow which had been > detected. Withoutthis vacuum > solenoid the center vent doors will not open, nor will the > defroster doors close. The question I have > is can this vacuum solenoid be replaced/repaired without removing > the dashboard?

Yes, you can probably repair it. Open the glovebox and use a long
screwdriver to pry off the wood trim piece. It sounds scary but can be done
with care. The trim is held on by push clips, two top and two bottom.
Lever against the rear near the edge, with the tip of the screwdriver in
these four positions. Once the trim is off, carefully set it aside and pull
out the louver assembly. Then reassemble the actuator, it’s likely that the
locking tabs have broken off. If so, run a bead of epoxy or RTV around the
perimeter in the groove and reassemble with something (rubber bands or a
nylon tie) to hold it in place until it cures. There are two variants, a
single stage and a dual stage actuator, I think. Proceed as appropriate to
the design, and reconnect the vacuum lines when you’re done if necessary.

Good luck, and please let us know how it works out. By the way, the
alternative is to remove the whole dash and replace the center vent actuator
assembly ($$) from underneath. The advantage to the latter is that you can
replace any broken defrost vent actuators (usually both are broken, $$ x 2)
at the same time, but it’s a much bigger job.

Dave Lokensgard
'90 Vanden Plas Majestic (DAVZCAT)
'55 XK140 OTS
Poway, California

In reply to a message from Lokensgard sent Sat 24 Aug 2002:

Hi…

I don’t know if you’ll have any luck fixing it in situ
BUT…it’s not a terrible job to get the dash off. It certainly
beats paying a shop and the vents are worth checking over anyway.
The arms on the flaps for the center vent and the defroster flaps
are breakage prone and not really all that expensive.

As Dave mentioned, there is a dual stage vacuum motor on the pre-
'93 cars but it’s superceded to the single actuator…there are
instructions and the necessary vacuum fittings in with the new
center flap.

Don’t be afraid to tackle this, it’s tedious but not difficult.

Jeb–
'91 VDP
Harrisburg, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

I too broke the fins and the spring shot out and I wanted to buy it thinking it could be hooked from the inside without disassembling anything … but I can’t find the codes of these components … but is there a guide?