The vents in the center console for the rear seat are not blowing any air out on my 1998 XJR. Front vents work on all fan speeds, but nothing comes from the rear center console vents. Any idea on what the issue could be?

 

Hi xjrjag,

The ducts connect to the plenum in the fascia and run along the sides of the center console/transmission tunnel:






One possible cause of your issue is that the center console has been bumped at some point, causing the forward ends of Parts 2 and 3 in the diagram to become misaligned and disconnected from Part 1, the Primary Rear Air Duct.

Another possibility is that foam insulation in the main Air Conditioning/Heater unit has deteriorated and the crumbs have fallen into and plugged the narrow ducts in Part 1.

I'll look forward to the thoughts of other members.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks, Don. Seems like it may be plausible. How would I go about getting to those parts? Take off the entire center console? The part numbered 1 in the diagram...is this underneath where the stereo and climate controls are?

 

I think Part 1 in the previous diagram is behind the A/C control panel and wraps around the radio, but the joints where Parts 2 and 3 meet it may be below the radio. You may be able to access those joints without removing the entire center console - it is possible they may be accessible for inspection by removing the "ski slope," or center veneer panel (Part 6):






Worst case, it's actually not that difficult to remove the entire center console - it's just a matter know knowing where the fasteners are and the correct order in which to remove parts. I assume the X308 Workshop Manual contains the procedure. I think it's available free either in the 'HOW TO' quick links thread near the top of the home page of this X308 forum or in the large file download area.

Cheers,

Don

 

Before you go to disassemble the center console, note that the airflow to the rear is low at best.
Even if I close all front vents, and turn the fan to max., the airflow in the rear is rather low.
And mine is not obstructed.

Read about this as well from other members.

 

Duly noted. I will probably not attempt to take much apart