I've got a slight problem on my 2000 TJ. When I switch the interior vent system from FRESH to RECYCLE there is still fresh air coming in. This can be very anoying when your stuck behind an old diesel piece of crap on the highway.
Anybody experience this problem??

Is the slide very stiff? On the Tj's with the non auto air its a cable slide and the cable can be fouled somehow by Head Unit installs. Recently I've changed my HU twice and once I did notice it went very stiff and basically was stuck - the cure seemed to be to semi remove that centre console part, move the slide a few times to free it up, then refit. So could be that....

If you have the opposite situation and the slide is very loose, then perhaps its not functioning at all. Pop your bonnet, remove both wiper arms and then remove the black plastic plenum covers that go under the wipers - these are held in place by several plastic scrivet screws - one side comes our before the other - careful inspection shows the way. Then on the passenger side you can see the two part bellows that covers air intake fitted into a sort of vertical tube arrangement that goes down to the (visible) fan. You can see this bellows move open and closed when the lever is moves left and right. If its not moving then I'd suggest that the cable is broken or unfastened somehow - to get to the business end of this cable you have to go removing the tray under the glovebox and then the glovebox assembly.

Hope that helps!

Is the slide very stiff? On the Tj's with the non auto air its a cable slide and the cable can be fouled somehow by Head Unit installs. Recently I've changed my HU twice and once I did notice it went very stiff and basically was stuck - the cure seemed to be to semi remove that centre console part, move the slide a few times to free it up, then refit. So could be that....

If you have the opposite situation and the slide is very loose, then perhaps its not functioning at all. Pop your bonnet, remove both wiper arms and then remove the black plastic plenum covers that go under the wipers - these are held in place by several plastic scrivet screws - one side comes our before the other - careful inspection shows the way. Then on the passenger side you can see the two part bellows that covers air intake fitted into a sort of vertical tube arrangement that goes down to the (visible) fan. You can see this bellows move open and closed when the lever is moves left and right. If its not moving then I'd suggest that the cable is broken or unfastened somehow - to get to the business end of this cable you have to go removing the tray under the glovebox and then the glovebox assembly.

Hope that helps!
Nice post! I've got the same drama with my TF. Always thought of it being in the "too hard" basket, but your post makes it seem do-able. Thanks. :D

maybe the control on the right of the center vents is up the blue part then fresh air will come in though the slider is on recirc. or the cable for that has been pulled if its very loose.

maybe the control on the right of the center vents is up the blue part then fresh air will come in though the slider is on recirc. or the cable for that has been pulled if its very loose.


so what does the slider that goes up and down on the driver side of the centre air-con vents do? I have noticed my slider is a little hard to slide, but still ok. It had a problem with letting fresh air into the cabin even before anything was modified. Doesn't bother me though.

so what does the slider that goes up and down on the driver side of the centre air-con vents do? I have noticed my slider is a little hard to slide, but still ok. It had a problem with letting fresh air into the cabin even before anything was modified. Doesn't bother me though.

That let's cool air out the centre vents when you have heat coming out the face vents, and or, and inexplicably; lets uncooled air come out the centre vents when you're running the aircon. The first function makes some sense but the second one seems to me to be more like a side effect than anthing obviously intentional.

BTW this control has nothing to do with Fresh or Recirc - that's controlled solely by the horizontal slide - its all in the handbook kiddies!

Thanks fella's, I've got some work to do tomorrow then.

yeap have the same problem... and found out the same way by being stuck behind a truck lol

if its involves taking out the centre console i might give it a try ... but only after my DAMN thesis ... 15000 words due in 2 1/2 weeks

someone pls hurt me physically so i can get an extension !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :boxing:

It's fixed! and its easy (15 mins).
-Remove the glove compartment (six screws)
-Behind the GC is the vent cable. All you have to do is tighten this cable and bob's your uncle or aunt or whatever....

It's fixed! and its easy (15 mins).
-Remove the glove compartment (six screws)
-Behind the GC is the vent cable. All you have to do is tighten this cable and bob's your uncle or aunt or whatever....

Congrats!

:clap: :clap: Good work.. :D