Toyota Repair: Airflow 1997 Camry, chilton manuals, center vents

Question
QUESTION: When set on the 'Panel" setting, I have very weak airflow through the two center air ducts (the two just above the radio).  The two near the doors have strong airflow.  On all other settings, everything seems to work fine - but still very weak on bi level, also.  Any Suggestions?  Thanks

ANSWER: Kevin,
the cable and the trap door isn't moving far enough to change
the air direction. get a flashlight and look up under the dash
on the drivers side and watch the door and cable moving.
If need be get a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual from a local
auto parts store.

good luck
Tim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tim,

Thanks for your response.  I, however, don't see the correct cable or a trap door.  The only cable I see moves with the temperature control.  I don't know if different models had different air flow controls, but mine is an XLE V6 that has a servo motor on it.  The servo seems to working fine; it’s just that whatever is supposed to open for the center vents isn’t opening.  I can see the linkage move, but can’t tell if it’s hooked to anything.

 I have two other Toyota’s that I’ve been trying to compare with.  My 1989 truck has the cable system – I can’t see a trap door there, either, but can feel and hear it open and close.  I also have a ‘99 Solara – quite similar, but it has the pushbutton electronic controls.   The servo and linkage on the Solara appear to do the same thing as that of the Camry – only difference being the center vents on the Solara work fine.  It does seem, however, that high speed on the Solara blows more air than high speed on the Camry.  Matter of fact – it seems that one speed up from low on the Solara is about equal to the output of the Camry, and the middle speed on the Solara (it has 5 speeds) is more than that of high speed on the Camry.

As far as books on the subject go, I went to the library and looked through about a half a dozen Haynes and Chilton manuals, none of which had any information on the servo.  I think I would need something more sophisticated, such as an official Toyota Service Repair manual.  

Any other ideas, besides taking it in to the shop?

Thanks again,

Kevin


Answer
Kevin,

Go to Chilton manual #68201, page3-19. If you have auto air then go
through the procedures for checking error codes, see if it comes
up with 31,32, or 41. Go to a Toyota dealership and find a technician
that works with A/C units. If they don't have one go to a different
Toyota dealership and find one.

Good luck,
let me know.

Tim