No Air Flow to Screen

[Sally007]

I have a 2005 Audi A4 Avant, 2.0tdi, S-line.

It has the dual control heater system (i.e., I can be cold and passenger can have heat) - mentioning this as I'm not sure whether there are variants that would affect any possible solutions.

Air comes out of all vents except the screen. With the blower is on half power (so I can easily hear it) I can click to floor and it blows, face vents and it blows, then screen and it suddenly sounds quieter and as though the air is being stopped/blocked.

So I figure that the flap isn't working, or at least is not being opened. Of course I don't know if it's physically stuck and the motor is trying to open it (can't really hear anything - a few feeble clicks, but nothing like the sound of action from sending it off to feet or face) or that the motor is shot and is not doing enough. I'm for the moment assuming motor is shot or needs a bit of attention/WD40.

It does the same thing if I press the manic psycho screen clear button. Previously it would roar and and the screen would clear near enough instantly. Now it again quietens, not it's usual ROAR!

Starting point therefore is that it is one of the motors (or one of the arms are stuck - but that seems too much like wishful thinking).

As far as I understand it there are 3 motors behind the glove box. Tomorrow I will take the glove box out and have a look. I've seen photos online as to what the assembly and positioning of the 3 motors looks like.

I'm assuming that all 3 are slightly open when no specific air flow position is selected. Then when each individual setting is chosen, that one opens fully and the others either stay still or close.

So plan is to take glovebox out. Have blower on. Press foot blow - watch to see which moves, then rule that out, same with the face vents, therefore remaining one is the screen one and that's the one I need to remove, take apart, lose the bits, curse, then go and buy a nice new one. Job done.

However, I've also seen online reference to another couple of motors located on the drivers side. Do I need to look there?

I'm just looking for guidance as to whether I'm going down the right route or if I need to consider other things?

Any help very much appreciated as it's becoming a real problem in this colder weather. Plus I'm a girly with limited knowledge and will be tackling it alone.

Thank you in advance.

[niall campbell]

have you got pollen filters & are they blocked blocked ?

Can you see if in the scuttle there is anything blocking the air intake

[Sally007]

Miraculously, it has started to work. This morning I emptied the rather rammed glove box, ready to take it out. Drove up to my parents to get the car in the dry in their garage and noticed this odd sensation of warm air hitting the windscreen.

So I've abandoned fixing it and am currently assuming the the glove box may have been making contact with the motors or arms. Clearly this is a fairy story, but I have normal air flow to the screen, so will abandon the whole exercise.

I suspect in reality that there is perhaps a loose connection or similar.

Thank you for the advice though ��

[niall campbell]

Keep the controls on Demist position for the heater controls, incase its on its way out

[Sally007]

Too true!! When I noticed that it was actually working I started playing with all the buttons, reveling in the joy of having it work again. Then it suddenly occurred to be that this wasn't the best behaviour to keep it working, so set it back to all three working and haven't touched it since.

Such luxury to have a clear windscreen though

[bobcottam]

I have this exact problem on my 2005 2.0 tdi, exactly as you describe. I have removed the glovebox now on two occasions, and both times it has fixed itself and i cannot get it to misbehave to check what it is..... I do wonder if there is a dicky connection somewhere, as its mostly OK, but just now and then refuses to put air to the screen......annoying! Bob.

[mikeybutch]

These motors get temperamental as the grease inside gums up.I also freed mine only for it to seize again and the only longterm answer is to replace or overhaul.Not worth risking loss of demister