Ventilation Recirculator

Are any of you good folk familiar with the 406 (1999) ventilation system.
I have noticed that the motor operating the recirculation
flap/valve/whatever runs continuously and, when it is set to permit air from
outside, there is also a regular clicking sound. My assumption is that the
motor should turn off when the valve/flap/whatever reaches the required
position (i.e. open or closed) but the turn off bit does not seem to be
happening. Can anyone tell me what is likely to cause this and how
difficult it is (indeed how) to fix it. Needless to say there is zilch
about this in the Haynes manual.

Many thanks,

Keith Willcocks

 

Quite a common thing. The recirc motor requires renewing. It's held in
by two screws, but getting to it is not easy. Remove the panel on the
end of the dash (just lever it off) and the trim panel under the
glovebox. Lever out the passenger air vent and gently manoever the air
duct out. Then you can just see the motor at the top of the heater.
Just. Then before you disconnect it, turn the ignition on and let the
motor work one way or the other. If you look on the new motor, you
will see an arrow on the wheel. Try and get the old motor in the same
position. When it's there turn off the ignition.
Disconnect the electrical connector (follow the wire down from the
motor) and remove the screws (you will need a stubby cross head
screwdriver). Put the new one in the same position and replace the
screws and plug it in. Test it before you put everything back. Make
sure the flap goes from fully open to fully closed as per the switch
position (you need to remove the pollen filter to see this).
Don't forget there are two types of motor depending on whether you
have the standard air con, or the fully automatic type, but the method
is the same. Should take around an hour to do.
Good luck!!!

 

Many thanks Nigel. I will give it a go and cross my fingers (except that
it would be even harder then).

I was worried that it would involve taking out the facia or something even
more terrifying. You have put my mind at rest.

Regards,

Keith

 

Keith,

On my daughter's 405, the flap servo motor was doing the same thing. After
getting it out and dismantling it, I found a stripped gear inside the servo.

Fortunately the servo (made by Valeo) is identical to that used on the
1995-2002 Range Rover HSE which I own and on which I had recently replaced the
blend flap servos. So I was able to strip an old RR servo and fit the gears
into the Pug servo.

Instant fix at no cost.

The 406 uses a different servo but the problem may still be a gear.

Ron