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1 of 4 HVAC vents not blowing air

jedwin

jedwin

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Location
Kennebunk Maine
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25 Air Touring
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It looks like I may have my first actual service issue, 17 months into ownership of my ‘25 Air Touring. One of the four dash-level air vents seems to have lost its fan motor. I just noticed it a couple days ago; though it seemed unlikely to help I wanted to wait until I made sure the car had a good deep sleep before I reported the issue.

My main question for forum members is whether anyone has experience that would confirm whether if this is something that can be dealt with by mobile service. I’m a couple of hours from the Natick service center, and would rather not do two round trips.

Part of me hopes that this has been going on for a while, and that fixing it will increase the meager heating and cooling power of my system by 33%! (or 20% if we count the foot blowers) But I suppose the dead fan is just sending the available HVAC air through the remaining vents that are working, like how shutting off the feet vents pushes more air through the dash…so I won’t get my hopes up on that front.
 
typicaly that is caused by something called a blend door actuator, which opens and closes vents inside the dash to move airflow. Some manufactures have a reset proceedure they can do that just resets them when they get out of whack. think of a little electric motor with a flap. No sure if mobile can repair it or not, but there might just be a reset they can do. GM has a lot of issues with these but I haven't heard many issues with Lucid on them
 
huh…. I did not know that a bent could be shut off if I got too fiddly with the knob!

I’ll check that tomorrow, thanks.

And if it’s not that, thanks for the tip about a possible reset… I’ll report back.
 
Pragmatic said:
You do know the dash vents can individually be turned off/on by turning the knob that aims the vent
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Yup, it was that simple. I guess I could have guessed there was some way to close a vent!

That makes me think it may be worth it to close the far right vent, to boost flow in the other 3 vents that reach me…. (I mostly drive alone)
 
jedwin said:
Yup, it was that simple. I guess I could have guessed there was some way to close a vent!

That makes me think it may be worth it to close the far right vent, to boost flow in the other 3 vents that reach me…. (I mostly drive alone)
Click to expand...
my secretary got me a sign that says "Hang on, let me overthink about it"
 
jedwin said:
Yup, it was that simple. I guess I could have guessed there was some way to close a vent!

That makes me think it may be worth it to close the far right vent, to boost flow in the other 3 vents that reach me…. (I mostly drive alone)
Click to expand...
Shows the value of the forum with many eyes on your problem.
 
jedwin said:
That makes me think it may be worth it to close the far right vent, to boost flow in the other 3 vents that reach me…. (I mostly drive alone)
Click to expand...
I think I configured mine this way on delivery day, since it was the middle of August. Vent #3 can be aimed toward the driver, Vent #4 closed. Rear OFF. It doesn't "cool the cabin" as quickly, but it keeps a lone driver comfortable. I'd still recommend enabling climate control in the Lucid App a few minutes before entering the car in a sunny parking lot, a process which does use the Rear vents. Crack windows briefly, then switch to Recirculated after closing.
 
I saw an article today that said the best way to cool down a hot car was to open the driver's window, then open and close the passenger door to pump the hot air out of the car quickly. Sounds plausible. I've not tried it, however...
 
jedwin said:
That makes me think it may be worth it to close the far right vent, to boost flow in the other 3 vents that reach me…. (I mostly drive alone)
Click to expand...
That does work, fwiw. In the Gravity, you may find some whistling caused by turning off various vents, but I’ve never heard that on the Air.
 
chazglenn3 said:
I saw an article today that said the best way to cool down a hot car was to open the driver's window, then open and close the passenger door to pump the hot air out of the car quickly. Sounds plausible. I've not tried it, however...
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Ooh, science! This is basic fluid dynamics.

When you open the door it pushes out all of the air in its way, creating an area of low pressure in its place. That sets up “bulk flow,” where the hot air inside the car is drawn outwards. But now the only way to refill that air is the window on the other side that you opened, which streams in cooler air.

You don’t need to do it very many times; 2-3 usually does it, especially if you do it fast, or 5-8 in the absolute worst case.

Works great. Science!
 
chazglenn3 said:
I saw an article today that said the best way to cool down a hot car was to open the driver's window, then open and close the passenger door to pump the hot air out of the car quickly. Sounds plausible. I've not tried it, however...
Click to expand...
I wonder why the suggestion isn’t to open the passenger window (with controls on the driver’s door) and open/close the driver’s door instead of walking around all the way to the other side of the car… 🤣.
 
with tiktok and Khaby Lame, our lives have become monkey see monkey do
 
Saksak said:
I wonder why the suggestion isn’t to open the passenger window (with controls on the driver’s door) and open/close the driver’s door instead of walking around all the way to the other side of the car… 🤣.
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How else am I going to get my steps in ?
 
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