Center Console Removal 90+
 

Reviewing my HVAC system, I find a vacuum leak at the orange line. So I started removing the center console. I have been using the information at http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc_cons.html but would like information on the difference to a 1990 as there is a change to the glove compartment.

If anyone knows where there is information, please let me know. Thanks!

IF (big IF) no one has ever been into your center console before, there is an 8 mm bolt from hell that is located at the upper right edge of the console. You need to remove the glove box door and the compartment to get at it. I've got pics on my other computer. I couldn't get to it with my bigass size 8.5 hands- post #38 in the thread below shows the position one must assume to even see this bugger:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...HVAC+clinic+Ed

If someone HAS been into the console, most likely they didn't replace it and you should be able to R&R the console without too much trouble.

EDIT:

Here's the screw in question, for orientation purposes:

https://webfiles.uci.edu/redwards/pu...%202-16-08.jpg

https://webfiles.uci.edu/redwards/pu...%202-17-08.jpg

Did you see these threads?

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...airbag+removal

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...airbag+removal

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...airbag+removal

Thanks, I will check those links out.

I am just really happy the green line holds vacuum as that sounds like the worst.
I did find the while line does not and that confuses me a bit, as the valve in the engine compartment works properly. Shouldn't the white line hold vacuum when it is connected to a working valve?

Dave,

Thanks again for the diagnostic work over the weekend.

Stan, what are the end and start points of your "white" line?

Perhaps incorrectly, I presume it went from the vacuum distributor to the heater valve in the engine compartment. I can currently only see one end at a time.

I was lucky that this particular bolt was already gone in my car. That might have been the reason why the center console never properly aligned with the dash... It has a tendency to tilt to one side without that bolt, and you have to be really creative to prevent that. Don't remember what I ended up doing to avoid this.

Best of luck!

I don't have handy a mental (or digital) picture of which color vac line is hooked to which actuator. Could you have two white vac lines? Or perhaps a white vac line and an off-white line?

Looking at this thread (referenced from one of the above)
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/249443-center-console-screw.html
it looks like there's a kinda-white line that doesn't go to the heater valve.

OTOH, under the right circumstances you could have both a working and leaking actuator or a working actuator and a leaking vac line.... if the leak is small enough.

Here's what the FM says about the lines and colors.

Hi Stan,
Remember that I have the diaphragms for the center, footwell and recirc actuators.
Much cheaper than replacing the actuators.
Roger

Center console is out, not sure I needed to remove the glove compartment, but it is out too.

The white vacuum line I am referring to can be seen in the 5th photo down at http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc_act.html John's comment is that it goes to the heater valve

Interesting, it goes up the same way as the blue vacuum line and then just ends, so either it was cut or has come out of whatever it was connected to. I was presuming this line should find it's way into the engine bay and connect to the heater valve...

Ok, I found it was disconnected at a splice above where the knee bolster mounts. The black line is also spliced there. I am presuming these are not stock splices and wonder about whether it is worth while to replace the complete line (if possible). Now both of those lines hold vacuum.

Stan,
If they are the stock lines just join them back together with a tight fitting connector and they will be fine.
The blue goes to the recir - does it hold vacuum?
You should find both the blue and white in the engine bay or under the rain shield.
Roger

Hi Roger,

Thanks. Yes, they all hold vacuum now, except the orange. I am going to remove the bladder with actuator arm next. I had an extra HVAC box, so could test the process on it first.

I may just use the bladder and arm from the old HVAC box, as it appears to be in good shape, is flexible and holds vacuum.

I wish I had seen the 2nd photo at https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...8&postcount=14
before I did this. I decided the access hole made sense, so some of my disassembly may have been for naught.
Perhaps it is heresy to drill the access hole, but it works well, and I think a spare piece of plastic with duct tape will close the vent reasonably as well.