Hi all.

The centre air vent in my KL has come loose - it's sticking out at the RHS about 1cm. Can anyone tell me how it's secured as I've tried pushing it back in, but it won't stay in.

Hi all.

The centre air vent in my KL has come loose - it's sticking out at the RHS about 1cm. Can anyone tell me how it's secured as I've tried pushing it back in, but it won't stay in.

the clips are probably broken... or like mine, the hole the clips go in, slightly screwed... common problem... if its the first one (clips broken) just have to replace the vent section... try a wreckers...

sorry if i cant help to much...

Have you had your console out recently? You'll need to remove it again to straighten it up.

Thanks for the replies.

The console was out when they fitted a hands free kit a few weeks ago, so that might be the cause of it. Guess I'll have to take it apart...

Thanks for the replies.

The console was out when they fitted a hands free kit a few weeks ago, so that might be the cause of it. Guess I'll have to take it apart...

Should take you only about 5 mins. All you do is chuck the car in N (safely), lift at the console near the shifter and it will pop up, then follow it along to the armrest where it pops up at the end. Then, lift the armrest end a bit and pull it towards you and it should just slide out.

Then, open the ashtray section, and put your hands on the inside and pull it towards you and up a little bit. It's tight, but it will pop out. Then once it comes out, you can pull at the centre console trim where the clock is and it will pop out, then just pry it forward going down the sides and it will pop out. It may be easier if you disconnect the hazard switch and climate control sniffer either side of the radio.

This will allow you to pull it out, swing it around and pop your vents back in. Then it all goes back together in the same order. :)

aaahhh why does he have to take off the bottom sections?? you go in under dash on drivers side and release the cable that comes from the center top vent, then pull it strait out, it will take a bit of force, you will find the clip or hole is broken. simply get a new one from the wreckers and slot it back in and reconnect the cable. there is no need to remove the gear shifter surround, stereo/climate panel or ashtray.

robssei, as the OP has a KL, he has to take the whole climate fascia out, not just the section surrounding the vents - as it's a one piece unit.

Rob, The OP has a KL which is a little bit different - the centre-vents are not in their own seperate panel, the radio/air-con and centre-vents are all a single panel in the TL-TW (and Verada equivalents). Your advice is kinda right, except that removing the lower panels is probably worthwhile in this case.

OP, check that the cable from centre-vents to heater-box in drivers footwell is routed correctly, the stiffness of the fresh/air-con selector cable may be making the cover fascia pop out of its clip-hole. If they have broken your clip, I'd imagine thats a pricey fascia-panel to replace. If you need to re-fit that cable - its best to remove the lower dash cover panel from below steering column (below the dash, not the bit on the column itself)...... it seems like a hassle, but its only about 6 screws to remove.

Check the "console removal" threads - although for earlier 3rd gens, they have excellent pics and describe what you need to remove and check....

Yeah being a KL it's a little different, I've pulled the dash apart in my KL to play with the stereo a few times. Basically, you have to remove the centre console to remove the ashtray/lower storage box, and you have to remove that to remove the dash panel. Also, there isn't a cable for the heater from the centre panel either - just the hose for the climate control sniffer motor (just pops out), the connector for the hazard light switch (also just pops out) and the two harnesses that plug into the climate control module (I have had no luck popping these off - they're in there pretty well lol). But yeah when the panel is free you'll be able to swing it around and see that there are (I think) 6 or so screws and/or clips holding the vent assy. in.

I could take photos for you guys if you think it would help.

Cheers

ahhhh my bad!!!

Sondar, a nice guide for you

http://members.optusnet.com.au/miltonf/car/mitsu/console/stereoremoval.htm

edit: whoops you have a TL, but some of this guide will be helpful

The cable I referred to is related to the centre-vents themselves, not the climate-control panel lower down.

However, I am only in TJ's - so possibly this has changed in TL/TW. My centre-vents have two thumb-wheels on either side - the pass side thumbwheel is a simple vent open/vent closed control, whilst the drivers side thumbwheel varies the centre-vents from fresh air to air-con air.

This drivers side thumbwheel has a short stiff control cable - only about 30cm long - which needs to be threaded down through the dash support brackets to the side of the heater-box in the drivers footwell. There is a springy clip on the side of the heater-box which clamps the cable sheath, and there is a small cast alloy ring on the end of the cable which fits over a small pale plastic arm coming out of the heater box.

Because this cable is so short, it is quite stiff and if it is routed the wrong way through the maze of crap under/behind the dash it has at times encouraged my centre vents to sit funny or not stay clipped in.

My apologies if the TL/TW series have deleted the "fresh/air-con" control from the centre vents. If that's the case, then "Mea Culpa".

The cable I referred to is related to the centre-vents themselves, not the climate-control panel lower down.

However, I am only in TJ's - so possibly this has changed in TL/TW. My centre-vents have two thumb-wheels on either side - the pass side thumbwheel is a simple vent open/vent closed control, whilst the drivers side thumbwheel varies the centre-vents from fresh air to air-con air.

This drivers side thumbwheel has a short stiff control cable - only about 30cm long - which needs to be threaded down through the dash support brackets to the side of the heater-box in the drivers footwell. There is a springy clip on the side of the heater-box which clamps the cable sheath, and there is a small cast alloy ring on the end of the cable which fits over a small pale plastic arm coming out of the heater box.

Because this cable is so short, it is quite stiff and if it is routed the wrong way through the maze of crap under/behind the dash it has at times encouraged my centre vents to sit funny or not stay clipped in.

My apologies if the TL/TW series have deleted the "fresh/air-con" control from the centre vents. If that's the case, then "Mea Culpa".

AFAIK the cable control still existed in the TL/TW. It is a flimsy POS that Mitsubishi failed to rectify throughout the life of the 3rd gen

Easy Peasy, Ease (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0224.jpg) out the gear surround ( includes P/W controls and Cup holders), Prying (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0225.jpg) upwards all around and it comes off, the very front is the only bit that doesnt unclip. that slots in at the front, Disconnect (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0226.jpg) the Power window connection plug,
Apply hand brake, Chock if not on level ground, Place car in neutral and pull surround sliding to the rear of the car.
This is the hardest bit, removing the compartment above where the cup holders were. With the lid open place palms facing upwards Gripping (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0227.jpg) as well as you can manage (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0228.jpg) with both hands ( dont grab the door) and pull to rear of the car. This exposes (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0229.jpg) two screws to remove and the last panel prys (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0231.jpg) off. Disconnect (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0232.jpg) aircon controls, hazard lights and air temp sensor. And the bracket holding in the stereo is right before you, take (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0232-1.jpg) care with the top screws, they require a metal clip to secure themselves and are like ly to jump off when reattaching. Tape them in place.....

Search

I still dont understand why he has to remove it all when the vent will pull out without removing climate surround etc, done it so many times just unclip cable.

There is definitely no cable connected to the vents in anyway whatsoever in a KL, they are just crappy black plastic sitting in the surround. To remove them, they push backwards out of the surround (ie towards the front of the car) No thumb wheels either:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9453/vents.jpg

EDIT: just saw your post SH00T - interesting to note your vents don't come out with the dash panel.

My vents dont come out with the fascia either. as the vent has clips that clip in to the piping behind the vents. You have to make sure the vents are clipped in properly so the fascia goes on without drama.

Oh well that's weird. Are you in a KL too grelise? Mine are clipped on to the fascia and connect to the air pipe by means of foam... lol...

I'll take some pics tomorrow so you don't all think they just let me out or something hehe.

Yeah I got a KL too. Had it for 3 yrs now. Every time ive taken the fascia off the vents dont come with it.

ok i see, im KE diamante (verada) so who unit comes out as one. sorry for confusion. is it different spec levels that differ.

Rob,

It's the later models (TL and TW, KL and KW) that differ. I wasn't sure (but it is now crystal-clear) the models after TJ do NOT have the thumb-wheels beside the centre-vents.

In addition to this, the TL-onwards models differ in the radio/air-con/centre-vents fascia panel is all one piece. The TL-onwards models have the position of radio and air-con swapped - radio is mounted higher, air-con knobs underneath. TL-onwards all have climate-control air-con, but is controlled by knobs (not the digital screen climate as in older models, which includes outside-air-temp display). The one-piece upper console fascia looks a bit more modern, and was silver-painted in lower-spec models (this, too, looks more modern - lightens the interior)...... Verada in KL and KW had woodprint fascia, but a very different grain and colouring to earlier models (TE/TF quite dark, TH not sure, TJ darkish but with a gold fleck in it). The TL and TW was quite an orangey-red woodgrain colour ( I think.... I don't own cars this modern!).

In TJ and earlier models, air-con varied between manual (several levers and switches) and climate-control (digital screen) versions according to trim level - eg: an Executive was guaranteed to have manual air, a Verada (by TJ era at least) was guaranteed to have climate-control. I have a TJ (II) Sports, so it scored climate-control - as far as I know TJ (I) Sports had manual air-con.

Other differences are that the lower console (around gear-shift and between seats) in TL and TW differs from earlier models. Power window controls are no longer on drivers door - the "master" set of power-window switches is behind gear stick and in front of the oddment bin. In some TL/TW at least, the oddment bin between the seats sits higher and is slightly different shape to older models (ie TE-TJ).

At least some of the TL and TW don't get the ashtray panel of any type below the radio/air-con - there was a lidded compartment instead. This compartment is interchangeable for the ashtray panel, and some members swap this into their cars for a sleek "look".

Might be an idea to investigate "Members machines" thread, look for cars of various models/years, to pick the differences in interior styles.

I'll take some pics tomorrow so you don't all think they just let me out or something hehe.

OK, for those are interested this is my centre fascia/vent assy

Vents removed with fascia:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4938/photo0118l.jpg


Rear of vent assy:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/3181/photo0115fq.jpg


Air outlet where vents just slide into:
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/636/photo0113xd.jpg


Clip holding vent into fascia - most likely OP's problem:
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2824/photo0117f.jpg

Hopefully this sheds some light on it.