Jammed air recirculation knob | How to fix it?

ravin93 · 17th May 2024, 17:05

Hi all,
I have Maruti Alto Lxi. For last may be a year or so, I never touched the air circulation knob which is a horizontal knob on the dashboard.
It remained on Internal Circulation. The other option is fresh air from outside.

Now it has jammed. I tried pushing it hard to the right but it does not move much. If I push it harder it might break something inside.
Is there any DIY fix possible or I better leave it to the authorized service center?

There’s no immediate problem. It can continue to remain on Internal option. Just my OCD that everything in my car must be in perfectly working condition.

Any guidance would be great. Thanks

Geo_Ipe · 17th May 2024, 17:18

Most likely a mechanical issue. However you may need to open the centre console to get to the rear of these knobs and slider.

I wouldn't recommend a DIY. Take your Alto to an FNG or local AC specialist. Authorised service centre may not be required.

If it makes you feel any better, in my 2005 Scorpio, only the fan blower speed knob works. All other knobs and sliders have been frozen for a very long time!

NomadSK · 17th May 2024, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravin93

Now it has jammed. I tried pushing it hard to the right but it does not move much. If I push it harder it might break something inside.
Is there any DIY fix possible or I better leave it to the authorized service center?

This is mechanically actuated flaps, your best friend in such scenarios is WD-40, just put the nozzle in the horizontal crevice and spray a bit inside to see if it does the trick. Spray and leave it for sometime and then try to see if the knob moves.

At the most you might get WD smell in the cabin for few days even if it doesn’t work.

ravin93 · 17th May 2024, 18:37

Thank you. I tried WD40 but that did not help. The knob does not budge at all.

greenhorn · 17th May 2024, 19:54

https://youtu.be/QZUiG2TBK80

While it's in Hindi, hopefully the video is self explanatory

Shaktiman · 26th June 2024, 16:18

The same slider got jammed in my Dzire too. After opening the cabin air filter and checking inside, it was found that rodents had a party in the blower area and there was a lot of foam/insulation material/cloths and other garbage. The flap which opens/closes air recirculation duct was jammed because of this. I cleaned the mess and it was operational. You may give it a try.

17th May 2024, 17:05	#1
ravin93 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Pune India Posts: 31 Thanked: 10 Times	Jammed air recirculation knob \| How to fix it? Hi all, I have Maruti Alto Lxi. For last may be a year or so, I never touched the air circulation knob which is a horizontal knob on the dashboard. It remained on Internal Circulation. The other option is fresh air from outside. Now it has jammed. I tried pushing it hard to the right but it does not move much. If I push it harder it might break something inside. Is there any DIY fix possible or I better leave it to the authorized service center? There’s no immediate problem. It can continue to remain on Internal option. Just my OCD that everything in my car must be in perfectly working condition. Any guidance would be great. Thanks Attached Images
	(1) Thanks

17th May 2024, 17:18	#2
Geo_Ipe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vellore Posts: 1,085 Thanked: 3,657 Times View My Garage	re: Jammed air recirculation knob \| How to fix it? Most likely a mechanical issue. However you may need to open the centre console to get to the rear of these knobs and slider. I wouldn't recommend a DIY. Take your Alto to an FNG or local AC specialist. Authorised service centre may not be required. If it makes you feel any better, in my 2005 Scorpio, only the fan blower speed knob works. All other knobs and sliders have been frozen for a very long time!
	(3) Thanks

17th May 2024, 18:37	#4
ravin93 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Pune India Posts: 31 Thanked: 10 Times	re: Jammed air recirculation knob \| How to fix it? Thank you. I tried WD40 but that did not help. The knob does not budge at all.
	() Thanks

26th June 2024, 16:18	#6
Shaktiman Newbie Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Jaipur Posts: 5 Thanked: 6 Times	Re: Jammed air recirculation knob \| How to fix it? The same slider got jammed in my Dzire too. After opening the cabin air filter and checking inside, it was found that rodents had a party in the blower area and there was a lot of foam/insulation material/cloths and other garbage. The flap which opens/closes air recirculation duct was jammed because of this. I cleaned the mess and it was operational. You may give it a try.
	() Thanks