Discussion
In preparation for replacing my HCV with a MK1 Golf one I've been checking my heater controls operate as they're designed to do and I've just had a look at the recirc flap
WTF 
What the
ing hell is that all about? What's it actually supposed to do? I can see this small flap moving about in the footwell behind the footrest to the left of the battery but how the is it supposed to recirculate anything when it lives in there?I take it when it's in the "closed" position with the knob turned fully to the right it draws air in from somewhere external but where the hell does the fresh air get into the car? Perhaps I'd be better saying where should the air get in as from a design perspective it's totally pants
Anyone know who designed it? I want to take his Meccano away from him!
If anyone can tell me where it's supposed to draw fresh air (with pictures) I'd appreciate it.
dnb said:
The fresh air comes from the hole immediately above and behind the windscreen. The heater controls, like the handbrake, are only there for the sake of bringing a vague feeling of something approaching normality to the car.
HTH
Ah, I generally use that particular method of fresh air recirc HTH
but I actually had to put that big black bit that lives in the boot over the car the other day when I got caught out in the rain 
TBH I wasn't too keen on the whole "driving in a sauna complete with misted up windows" effect it creates hence trying to get it all working after a fashion. There's gotta be a way for the air to get in there somehow, surely?
I had my heater controls working perfectly once. It lasted 2 days before they dropped "out of tune" again.
I looked all over the shell when I had the car apart, and could find no way for the air to get into the cabin other than by good luck. I'd like to talk over some ideas with anyone who'd like to solve the HVAC problem... I think the air may be forced in from behind the lights - it's the only place I can see.
I looked all over the shell when I had the car apart, and could find no way for the air to get into the cabin other than by good luck. I'd like to talk over some ideas with anyone who'd like to solve the HVAC problem... I think the air may be forced in from behind the lights - it's the only place I can see.
The Griffalo said:
dnb said:
TBH I wasn't too keen on the whole "driving in a sauna complete with misted up windows" effect it creates hence trying to get it all working after a fashion. There's gotta be a way for the air to get in there somehow, surely?
I find that opening the passenger side window usually helps (at least for fresh air)dnb said:
I had my heater controls working perfectly once. It lasted 2 days before they dropped "out of tune" again.
I looked all over the shell when I had the car apart, and could find no way for the air to get into the cabin other than by good luck. I'd like to talk over some ideas with anyone who'd like to solve the HVAC problem... I think the air may be forced in from behind the lights - it's the only place I can see.
You guys are either talking something completely different or have lost me totally.I looked all over the shell when I had the car apart, and could find no way for the air to get into the cabin other than by good luck. I'd like to talk over some ideas with anyone who'd like to solve the HVAC problem... I think the air may be forced in from behind the lights - it's the only place I can see.
On my precat the "cold" air is drawn in to the right of the of the radiator and is forced over the inner wing toward the foot well.
I think the 500 griffs have the fan somewhere near the footwell(in the wing) forcing (allegedly) through the heater box and into the dash for distribution.
The earlier griffs had the fan mounted right below the n/s headlamp.
They also have the additional fresh air fan on the O/S for air to the driver.
On mine I have make an adpator fitted onto the blower motor and feeding a pipe which goes over the n/s innerwing and straight to the heater box via ..........
a griff 500 air filter box , which is now attached to the heater matrix box.
If you guys are talking about something else then please exscuse my drivel...
Ant
Pics and initial info courtesy of a thread by DarkMatter
This is how it is on my '96 500. There's no seperate blower in the drivers footwell.
The first picture below shows the recirc motor in position. The flap is on the left, covered in foam. When in the position shown the flap is set to re-circulation mode. The air is drawn into the ventilation system over the passengers kick plate and down into this little flap which sits right at the bottom of the footwell. If your ECU is situated next to the battery, forget about this ever working as it will block the flap off completely anyway!
Note the small black disk, with three wires attached, hanging by the motor - this is a potentiometer and by turning it you can adjust the amount by which the flap opens and closes. It should be attached to the motor where it engages with a small flat ended spindle.
What can't be seen is the lever on the motor spindle which connects to the flap actuating rod.
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Rear view...
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So when it's closed there must be a supply of external air supplied somewhere in the N/S wing cavity but I haven't found where it's supposed to get in there... Yet
The blower sounds like it's located in a fairly normal spot somewhere central inside the dash but I haven't managed to track it down... I know it's there and it's connected because it makes a noise when I switch it on and more air comes out of the vents!!
This is how it is on my '96 500. There's no seperate blower in the drivers footwell.
The first picture below shows the recirc motor in position. The flap is on the left, covered in foam. When in the position shown the flap is set to re-circulation mode. The air is drawn into the ventilation system over the passengers kick plate and down into this little flap which sits right at the bottom of the footwell. If your ECU is situated next to the battery, forget about this ever working as it will block the flap off completely anyway!
Note the small black disk, with three wires attached, hanging by the motor - this is a potentiometer and by turning it you can adjust the amount by which the flap opens and closes. It should be attached to the motor where it engages with a small flat ended spindle.
What can't be seen is the lever on the motor spindle which connects to the flap actuating rod.
Rear view...
So when it's closed there must be a supply of external air supplied somewhere in the N/S wing cavity but I haven't found where it's supposed to get in there... Yet
The blower sounds like it's located in a fairly normal spot somewhere central inside the dash but I haven't managed to track it down... I know it's there and it's connected because it makes a noise when I switch it on and more air comes out of the vents!!
Second that Griffalo I changed mine a while back, it closes properly now giving cold air out but now the teeth sound like they've gone in the reduction gear box, I suspect because the new HCV offerd more resistance then the old one. Doh!!!!! 
It would be good to sort out the mechanicals because the electronics seem to work quite well.......btw mine is a '97 500 and I don't have the additional fan either.
A.
It would be good to sort out the mechanicals because the electronics seem to work quite well.......btw mine is a '97 500 and I don't have the additional fan either.
A.
Edited by Argent on Thursday 9th August 18:20
The only source is the hole beside the ns light pod for both the recirc and the heater box.
If your wondering why there's cold air entering the cabin,next to the ns top door hinge is a dirty big hole,which I have no idea what purpose it serves.
Griffalo,you will have a os blower in the wing feeding the os dash vent.
If your wondering why there's cold air entering the cabin,next to the ns top door hinge is a dirty big hole,which I have no idea what purpose it serves.
Griffalo,you will have a os blower in the wing feeding the os dash vent.
The Griffalo said:
If anyone can tell me where it's supposed to draw fresh air (with pictures) I'd appreciate it.
From an old thread, just before a very very hot trip in France & it worked
Take the p!ss if you want but i had dry nads
Seasider said:
You might get away with something like this
Doesn't look perfect (Actually not that bad from outside) but works!! 15mph+ Ambient air at a good rate at normal speeds much much better
Anyone got some silver flexi hose??
You can hook it under the steering column direct it backwards and no more sweaty
Shove some ice cubes in the end & instant Air-Con
Doesn't look perfect (Actually not that bad from outside) but works!! 15mph+ Ambient air at a good rate at normal speeds much much better
Anyone got some silver flexi hose??
You can hook it under the steering column direct it backwards and no more sweaty
Shove some ice cubes in the end & instant Air-Con
v8sag said:
The only source is the hole beside the ns light pod for both the recirc and the heater box.
If your wondering why there's cold air entering the cabin,next to the ns top door hinge is a dirty big hole,which I have no idea what purpose it serves.
Griffalo,you will have a os blower in the wing feeding the os dash vent.
[Panto]Oh no I haven't[/Panto] If your wondering why there's cold air entering the cabin,next to the ns top door hinge is a dirty big hole,which I have no idea what purpose it serves.
Griffalo,you will have a os blower in the wing feeding the os dash vent.
On mine recirc draws it's air behind the passengers foot plate to the left of the battery via the foam covered flap. When the flap is closed air is drawn into the cabin presumably via the wing.
I've not got the separate drivers side blower in mine, the O/S centre vent draws it's air from the same source as the N/S one via a T piece. I've also not got any holes around the N/S door hinge. You've gotta love TVR's they're all unique
And Del, that's bloomin genius mate, with a cursory glance you'd never ever spot that mod
I would even try it myself were it not for the fact that I now have a fully functional heating AND cooling system 
The Griffalo said:
Seasider said:
The Griffalo said:
I now have a fully functional heating AND cooling system
The cooling part of mine is fine at the moment Haven’t put the new Matrix in yet Still think the matrix gets warm & a summer by-pass is the best bet. When I put the new matrix back in line I will look into a pair of manual valves that can go in the feed/return pipe near the off-side rocker cover
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