I have an issue with my 92 L-Series where the air vent automatically selects the "feet" setting when the A/C is switched on. No amount of pressing all of the ventilation control buttons will change anything. When I am just using the fan without the A/C, I can select all vents normally, though I don't get much flow, even when the fan is on high.
Is it worth me taking the dash to pieces to check this? I'm wondering if it could be just a matter of replacing a rubber vacuum hose(s), or if there are electrics, or just manual linkages controlling the vent selection? I've just never seen how these things operate.
Cheers,
Dave
A/C & ventilation system issues
- Skinny_Dave
- Junior Member
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:32 pm
- Location: Melbourne
- Gannon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4580
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
It is possible that there is a mixup of hoses near the drivers side strut tower.
Up near the firewall, behind the strut tower is a white vacuum canister, a heap of hoses and a soleniod valve to activate the 'idle up' when the air con is on.
Im guessing that there is an air leak in one of the hoses (probably the one that goes from the air con 'idle up solenoid' to the idle up articulator) There must also be a hose mix up because there is a one way valve on the canister and it is the last thing before the vent controls
So when you turn on the air con, the vacuum that normally operates the vent controls is leaking and the vents normally default to foot when there is no vacuum.
Up near the firewall, behind the strut tower is a white vacuum canister, a heap of hoses and a soleniod valve to activate the 'idle up' when the air con is on.
Im guessing that there is an air leak in one of the hoses (probably the one that goes from the air con 'idle up solenoid' to the idle up articulator) There must also be a hose mix up because there is a one way valve on the canister and it is the last thing before the vent controls
So when you turn on the air con, the vacuum that normally operates the vent controls is leaking and the vents normally default to foot when there is no vacuum.
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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The other possible cause is that one of the vacuum hoses has come off.
With the way the actuators work, when the fan is blowing, it tends to move the flap to the feet position
Start from the engine bay & work your way along the lines, though it may mean you'll need to remove the dashboard.
With the way the actuators work, when the fan is blowing, it tends to move the flap to the feet position

Start from the engine bay & work your way along the lines, though it may mean you'll need to remove the dashboard.
Current rides:
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car
:???:
Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon
JDM GTII Touring wagon
88 RX Turbo Full-time 4wd touring wagon project - 97 Toyota Caldina GTT (turbo 4wd WRX eater:twisted:) - Hyundai Excel Rally Car

Previous rides:
93 Legacy GT wagon - 85 RX Turbo Full time 4wd Touring Wagon - 85 GL AWD sedan
96 Toyota Caldina wagon
- Skinny_Dave
- Junior Member
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:32 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Spot on guys, there was a crack in one of the vacuum hoses in the engine bay. That has been replaced, and I'm now getting about a 50/50 flow through the dash and feet vents when the face option is selected. There must be another dodgy hose behind the dash that I'll look for when I do the stereo, but at least the cabin is cooling better now. Thanks heaps.
Dave
Dave