Heating and Ventilation Control

All functions of the cabin heating and ventilation system in the Audi 80 are controlled from the unit located on the instrument panel.

Three so-called Bowden cables run from there to the air duct housing, often called the "air duct box". Air flaps inside this housing direct the air flow in the required direction.

The cabin blower rotary control (2) is rigidly connected to the heating and ventilation control and actuator unit (1). If faulty, the entire assembly must be replaced.

Removing the Bowden cable from the cabin heating and ventilation actuator unit: pull out the cable stop (1) with pliers, disconnect the cable end (2) from the lever (3).

Replacing Cable Actuators
PROCEDURE

Removal and installation are practically the same for all cable actuators.

Remove the left panel below the instrument panel (refer to Interior).

Remove the radio.

If necessary, remove the glove box.

Remove all three heating/ventilation rotary switch knobs.

Loosen the two Phillips-head screws located below.

Remove the panel.

Remove the four Phillips-head bolts now visible.

Now pull the heating and ventilation control unit out of the instrument panel slightly, just far enough to reach the Bowden cable mountings.

Using a screwdriver, release the cable stop of the actuator cable from the clip on the actuator unit.

The cable end is bent into a loop and loosely inserted into the actuator lever.

On the air duct housing, the Bowden cable sheaths are rigidly screwed to lugs or secured with plastic clips.

Unscrew the screws or squeeze the clips and remove the retainers.

Removing Ventilation Grilles
If a sheet of paper has caught on the rotary air guides in the ventilation duct:

PROCEDURE

Pry the ventilation grille out with a screwdriver at the top and bottom and carefully remove it.

When installing, note: the upper pivot hinge is thicker.