Object fell in defrost vent. HVAC Diagram or Tips.

[Nifty50]

I had a small stone on my dash and it slid into my defrost vent. It now seems to be interfering with one of the flaps that controls the air modes. Any suggestions on how to get into the HVAC ducts to fish this thing out? I've been blindly fishing around with a 4 claw grabber tool but I'm not having any luck. The object is making it so one of the flaps cannot move freely and thus interfering with the motion of the air mode door motor. Not to mention I have the woodgrain bezel that cracks into pieces when you remove them. I have a Haynes on the way, but I was hoping to check out the FSMs but I cant access them. Anyone have a copy they could share or any tips on how to get in there with out removing the entire dash?

[macgiver]

Maybe one of those flexible , small " snake cameras " can be used in conjunction with that "grabber" - like you could see where the hell it is down there AND a best visual adjunct to using any kind of grab tool ?
I know , and I don't have any knowledge nor experience buying , or any clue where to rent or get a hold of one . Wouldn't it be great though if you had that working for you ?
By hook or by crook figure that out .

p.s. If you need illumination , I can tell you there's many small skinny snakelike flex-lites that probly can accompany the other two gadgets ? Hopefully

[VStar650CL]

If the FSM's aren't up by Wednesday I can pull them up for you at the shop. Post a reminder Wed morning if still needed.

[macgiver]

Mean time try to " freeze " the movement of those flaps , I mean NO unnecessary fiddling NOR usaeage of the HVAC maybe ??
Another tip say some diagrams show it's somewhere fairly 'safe' BUT can ROLL around into flaps ( THE problem ) , It may be possible to "glue" it off to a 'neutral corner' by using a long 3/8" hose on the end of clear silicone caulking gun - you "coccoon" it to the side solid , out of the way , also access ( using a diagram ) by 1 1/4 " hole saw can be made in a 'safe' area and then it's easily retrieved OR glued safely out of way , the 1 1/4 " hlole you simply epoxy a thick black plastic patch - hey under dash won't show! Remember you say " disassembly likely to DISINTEGRATE ducting "
I know...........these out o' the box suggestions are out- there ,IF 'n you can't win using " normal' "people's ideas

[VStar650CL]

The FSM's are back up. The diagrams on HA-27 show the door for vent/floor moving downward, so anything there would fall to the bottom of the HVAC. However, the defrost door moves upward, so anything there will be trapped with no way out. Looking at the duct layout on HA-20, I'd say you should be able to reach it. The defrost door will need to be in a non-defrosting position or the stone will be jammed between the defrost door and the housing. So foot-defrost might be best, because that only raises the defrost door partway. That should make the stone slide down into the "V" between the defrost door and the wall of the housing. With the stone in the bottom of the V, it should constrain the locations where you need to fish and make it a bit easier to locate.

https://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual ... 2%2Fha.pdf

[macgiver]

These VStar's diagrams look extremely helpful (p. 28 ). One more 'method' I thought of but left out is to take vacuum cleaner and tape together nozzle and making a "reduction hose" which HAS to be able to snake through the particular grilles you attempt to utilize in " vacuum retrieval " method . Whereas you're fishing like a 3/8" hose down around twisting turning action and pulling rock out that way , ya also have to hear the suction noise change in trying to determine if ya got a 'catch' or sucking HVAC wall !!!

I mean how big was this damn rock........approximately.........????

p.s. You can tell I NEVER do things the " conventional " way

[VStar650CL]

p.s. You can tell I NEVER do things the " conventional " way

You're kidding, right? We had no idea.

Honestly, a shop vac with a "fishing hose" sounds ideal. Great thought!

[macgiver]

And how far the stone dropped , on what " landing " it's on , there could be closer access by unscrewing & removing, temp sensor , an actuator motor , remote possibility the cabin filter opening may " get on thru " ( to the other side) GET ON THRU ! some how to the stone for 'snake vac ' to reach, or lastly the hole-saw to reach -remove -then epoxy a plastic 'patch' on the drilled hole .
ya got's a lot of methods and helps in your toolbox now Nifty50

Nifty50 be careful & thrifty , Nifty50 no need to pay fifty , Fuzzy-wazzy waz a bear Nifty50 really don't care , look long into that vent hole & give a good stare , all the while being aware , your saving a Buck so you really don't give a F..k !

Please don't be 'waiting' for me

[Nifty50]

Thank you Macgiver and Vstar650CL. Thats all good advice. I was wondering about a snake camera, but have yet to go down that path. Probably a decent thing to have for a lot of things. Great news that the FSMs are back up I will grab those. Going to need them. I did pull out the AC vent in the center and yes they did break in many places. Looks like I'll be dusting off my model building skills for that repair. The size of the stone is about 3 inches by 1/2 inch. Cylindrical shaped. Ugh so stupid. But yea, I think it is floating around the defrost vent flap. It has moved since it fell in. Drilling a hole is a good idea. I may go that route soon. Didn't;'t think of that. Thanks!

[macgiver]

Not exactly a " LUCKY " stone I guess..................is it ? No more
Next time you goto Puerto Vallarta buy the Big fuzzy dice - hang on your mirror .

[Nifty50]

Not exactly a " LUCKY " stone I guess..................is it ? No more
Next time you goto Puerto Vallarta buy the Big fuzzy dice - hang on your mirror .

Yea! Exactly! Never again will my dash be home to any chotchkies. I wanted to give you guys an update. I think I have it fixed... or something like that. The move was to detach the motor from the vent mechanism so that I could move the levers freely. I flipped them back and forth until they seemed to be free of said lucky object. Think foosball. I believe I heard it drop down into another section of the HVAC and it has not been a problem. Another thing that was helpful was parking it in the sun so that I could see what doors were opening and closing through the milky heater plastic. The sun shining down on the dash and though defrost vent made it easier to understand what vents were opening a closing in the different lever positions. The FSM was hugely helpful to visualize what goes on in there. OK. Until next time.

[VStar650CL]

Glad you got it fixed, happy motoring!