AC/Heater airflow knob not changing air flow direction

[cllown]

Hi there buddies,

My 98 VT Executive is giving me so much shit lately. Latest one is the air flow for the air con is not changing the direction even when I turn the knob. It is only throwing air in the car through the windscreen holes (Not sure if I am using the correct terminology here). I have checked the knob, it does move. The AC/Heater work fine.. it just seems that the air flow does not want to change from where it is stuck. Funny thing is i didn't had the air flow towards windscreen when it stoped working so not sure if that is the default setting when something is wrong.

Any suggestions? Is there anywhere I can check for loose wires ? not sure if I need to take the whole dashboard out to get to the wiring.

Cheers,

[accentstencil]

It is most likely a vacuum leak. Check the thin vacuum hose at the rear of the intake manifold. You will also find a one way valve on that hose, check that it is working. The vacuum leak could be anywhere but that is easiest to check.

[cllown]

i had it checked by a car mechanic today and he reckons everything else seems to working so the problem must be behind the Dashboard. He says it will cost me atleast 3 hours labour to pull the dash out and put it back in to check the problem. Anybody knows if this is the case ? and is it hard to pull the dashboard myself or tweak some settings to force the air flow direction to the front so atleast i can still drive around for some time before i can pay for all the proper fixes ? it is a 98 VT Exec. i have searched all threads but couldn't find any guide or pics to pull out the dashboard.

Also if i was to do this myself
1. Is it really hard & messy ?
2. Do i need to take the whole dash out or maybe just the AC/Fan bit ?

any help is appreciated.

cheers