XJ vent cable question and goof off

[bradleyheathhays]

Couple questions.

All the air, both a/c and heat, in the old '96 XJ is vented up at the windshield now no matter what position the control levers are in. I assume its b/c of a cable or something that's come unattached. What's the most likely cause of such a disastrous occurrence and how much trouble is it to get at?

and 2...

I got a plastic/rubbery body trim panel (lower pass door) coming off and need to know whatd be a good loosening agent for soaking and then pulling the rest of it off. Appears to be held on by 1" strips of 2 sided sticky foam tape from the factory. Goof off? Or would something else work better?

 

[98Chero]

I think I can help you with one question. to the best of my knowledge the vent doors in your dash are controled by vacumm, you may want to check in your engine compartment and trace any vacumm lines going into your firewall. I had a jeep onetime that the gasket around the blower fan was not installed at the factory right and over time let dust and debris in and clogged the heater core and made the air vent doors stick in place. be forewarned that taking the dash apart is a huge job.

I hope this helps.

 

[JPNinPA]

Start with the Vac lines. Besides the line that goes to the Heat system if there is no another large leak that is stealing from the heat. Often the connection at the intake or the reservoir under the battery is an issue.
Besides looking you could start the engine then slowly spray WD40 in the vac lines listening for the idle to change. When it does you found a leak.


JPNinPA
Using Jeepz.com app

 

[k-2]

defrost, vent, floor is MODE selector. As mentioned vacuum operated and check vacuum first.
I underlined in red where to start

PS defrost is the default mode.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks yall that's gotta be it. I was messing with my battery this winter and somehow broke the vac line that goes to the front air bladder in the bumper. My cruise stopped working so I thought it was only associated with that.

Any ideas about the goof off and removing that panel?

 

[mark sr]

I would think careful pulling/prying would be all that is needed to remove the panel. Any special reason for removing it? I'd probably get some adhesive behind the loose part and use masking tape to hold it in place until the adhesive dries.

 

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks mark sr. I'm all ears on this one. The panel has been coming off for a while and is mis shapped / bent. I'm gonna either have to get it off and try to let it resettle back to straight again, or just get another one and paint it the right color. Any suggestion for an adhesive?

 

[mark sr]

3M weatherstrip adhesive works well, just make sure you don't get it where you don't want it and if you do - clean up promptly. I wonder if a heat gun or hair dryer would help the panel regain it's shape ??