When I bought my car the driver side defroster vent (the long vent that runs along the bottom of the windshield (interior)) was broken towards the drivers side closest to the VIN plate (US Model). I am looking to replace this vent but can't locate one on eBay and was hoping someone on here for some strange reason might have a spare black one...... I know it's a long shot to even ask but you never know. I have gotten very lucky with this forum before. I'm not sure what broke it. I am thinking the person that installed the Sirius receiver (since removed) tried to remove the vent thinking it was something else(?) and was not aware of the removal procedure (as I'm not either). If anyone has a black one let me know and we can work something out.

 

Garrin, talk with Ken at Britishparts (ken@britishparts) on this forum. He can get you whatever you need at a good price. I recently got a backup sensor through him. Had a great experience.

I have the same sort of problem with my car and what it appears to be wrong with mine is there appears to be fastener in the corner near the A-pillars. With those removed, the vent just kind flops around. The new fasteners should be fairly cheap to buy and installing them is easy.

 

I agree with Bruce, the dealer would probably fork one over for nothing if they have never been swapped out. Even with mine replaced, I still ended up having to put just a little bit of glue on the fastner to keep the one corner from popping up when it gets cold. Annoying.

 

THERE ARE UPDATED VENTS AND THE ROUND RETAINERS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT A FEW YEARS FOR THE POPPING UP PROBLEM. THEY HAVE A LARGE TAB ON THE VENT THAT WASNT THERE BEFORE, AND THE ROUND RETAINERS HAVE LARGER TABS THAT REALLY BITE INTO THE DASH SO THEY DONT COME UP AGAIN

 

I'm assuming the *********** is where I can get these updated vents?

 

Yes, at the dealership. The vents run about $45 each and the new plug is like $4.
I'd try a new plug first. My right side vent was popped and a new plug fixed it.

 

Sorry Garrin, I had a set of Charcoal vents (old style) sitting around but ended up chucking them. You want the updated version anyways. Check with Ken and he should be able to get them for you. The dealership didn't do mine for free. By the way, if you have an older X-type, it likely has a red "sensor" on the outboard side of the drivers side vent. You won't find anything about it in the owners manual but from what I understand, it's a sunlight sensor that has something, but very little, to do with the cliamte control. It was discontinued on later models so just tuck it in the hole and use the new clip to hold the vent down.

 

I'm Navless but had the "sensor". I did read somewhere it had something to do with sunlight but more to do with a minor heat, rather than light compensation.

 

Yup. Driver's side on NA '02 model, closest to the pillar.

 

I have an 02, no nav, and no sensor light thingy. Mine passenger sidevent continued to pop even with the updated vents and fastner. I chalk it up to low profile tires and terrible roads. A very little dap of gorilla glue and that sucker hasn't moved or made a noise since.