Z3 Roadster 1997 - Air Control Switch won't direct to dash

Hi guys - would really appreciate your advice. My air vent control refuses to point to the direction of the windscreen option. When I try to turn it it has resistance and will only turn to the floor setting or the (face) vents setting. It's like and elastic band that you pull and it just flicks back to one of those two settings. My mechanic said that he'd have to pull apart the entire dash to look at it and that it would cost me hundreds of dollars before they could even look at the cable. Just wondering if anyone knows a fix or a shortcut to fix this problem? It's winter here and I can't drive my Z# as the front window keeps steaming up!

Thanks,

Craig

Anyone have any ideas?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=stick+knob ?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=383133

You can get a TIS (service manual) on ebay.

Originally Posted by SydneyZ3

Hi guys - would really appreciate your advice. My air vent control refuses to point to the direction of the windscreen option. When I try to turn it it has resistance and will only turn to the floor setting or the (face) vents setting. It's like and elastic band that you pull and it just flicks back to one of those two settings. My mechanic said that he'd have to pull apart the entire dash to look at it and that it would cost me hundreds of dollars before they could even look at the cable. Just wondering if anyone knows a fix or a shortcut to fix this problem? It's winter here and I can't drive my Z# as the front window keeps steaming up!

Thanks,

Craig

Hi! I'm having the exact same problem with my 1996 Z3. I know your post has been for a long time. I'm just wondering, have you fixed your problem yet? What did you do? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

You shouldn't need to pull the entire dash to get an idea of what is wrong. Just pull the radio, and the vent control can be accessed through that opening. This gets you at least into the right area.

Hope this helps.

If I remember correctly, the cable is what binds up internally. Sometimes just lubricating it works rather than replacement.

Fred

Thanks guys - I will try these - still haven't got it fixed!