Low Air Flow Out The Vents - No Heat

Got A/C? Well this guy didn't and he didn't have any heat coming out of the vents either. Matter of fact he didn't have any air flow at all! The blower motor was running so I had a pretty good idea as to what was going on. Lets have a look.
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South Main Auto Repair
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Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not South Main Auto Repair.

[@milfordcivic6755]

The new advertising slogan for your business ought to be "Well there's your problem lady!". LOL

[@jfbmax]

+Justa Hondafan funny lol

[@dst6619]

i now use that myself ! :-)

[@kthwkr]

In my Ranger the blend door motor was dead. Over 1k$ to fix at the dealer. Similar at local shops. Everyone was going to take the whole dash out to get to it. But I found some youtubes which explained that by using a flat squeeze wrench you could get to the motor bolts via the very thin half inch clearance at the top of the unit. The wrench and new motor cost me about $100. It worked. Hooray for youtube. I doubt I'll ever find a use for that wrench again. I dissected the motor and found the brushes had burned up. It was the OEM part. It should have been designed so that no matter how badly the door was stuck due to freezing weather or whatever, that the motor could just endure the stall indefinitely. I'm jealous of the cabin filter. My Ranger doesn't have one. The AC evaporator is full of leaves and pine straw and the only way to clean it out is to remove the blower motor from the under the hood firewall mount position. Takes about 30 minutes the 3rd time you do it. Much longer the first time.

[@geraldhinson]

"What the heck? I spent days dragging that insulation out of the house and now someone stole it!" - pissed off NY mouse

[@wyattoneable]

That's one visual that should get everyone off there chairs and go check there filters. Crazy, but your right. It's an overlooked filter. It's always a pleasure to hang out with you Eric. All the best to you and your family.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+wyattoneable Welllll did you go check yours!?

[@wyattoneable]

I'm three States away form home but you can believe I'll be checking my cabin filters ASAP brother!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Haha perfect!

[@jdigitalseven7]

If only every mechanic had the integrity of this guy.

[@thatamerican3187]

All mechanics have integrity it just gets beaten out of them by cheap crooked lying customers..

[@Rhonda858]

My thoughts EXACTLY! I'm dealing with a crooked mechanic that installed the Wrong size engine in my 2016 Jeep Patriot latitude 2.0 he installed a 2.4 by "mistake" or so he said and he caused all types of other issues on my Jeep. He installed the correct engine in my vehicle after I told him it wasn't the correct one but for some reason its still stuck in limp mode and claims not to know why or how to fix it! Smfh! Hoe does that happen anyways?!?

[@atlhammer]

Thanks for this video. I had a 2006 Toyota Camry and wasn’t aware it had a cabin filter until a female friend told me. My repair was exactly like you showed. High probability what you removed was a rat nest.

[@Aristotle2000]

11:28 is pretty funny, how Eric says it like he is a little excited about it.

[@melissapeck3089]

OMG thanks so very much !! I've been driving around in the dammm cold here at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.. I cleaned inside my hood few days back but it didn't do much.. After watching this video I went straight outside to my SUV and I got my partner to open up the glove department, I cleaned it out and haven't tested if it made any difference, I went inside to grab a smoke and my partner stayed outisde.. As I was getting ready to go back outside he came in so so happy !! He's like "fkn rights love I got it going.".. I was like what the !! how did you do that? He said he banged on it a bit and the air suction part turned on.. oh my what a damn relief. I know if I went in to see the Mechanics I know for sure he would of ripped me off and add some more parts blah blah blah.. I don't trust Mechanics... DIY'ers who share on youtube/online are the bomb.. Thank you so much

[@MarzNet256]

Some cabin air filters come in two flavors: regular and charcoal activated-which cost more but gets rid of odors really well. Remember kids: Don't leave Popeyes or Chinese sitting in the car too long!

[@VvsJules]

Maaaan you saved my ass. I had a plastic bag in my blower. Lol Would've never thought to look there until I saw your video after watching at least 40 others. THHHANKS BRO.

[@williamdaniel6802]

I thought for sure you were going to run into a critter or two. That had to be the original cabin filter. :) Now she will return complaining about too much air coming out of the vents. Great video Eric O.

[@robertbell525]

I have an old Buick it had no airflow turned out the evaporator was covered in black oily dirt so thick at first I thought it was a filter.... until I started spraying brake cleaner on it and scrubbing, and I started seeing evaporator fins appearing. I was able to access it through the hole where the blower control module sits. AC works awesome now

[@jacobschrenk6946]

Dealership “you need a cabin air filter” customer “no dont try to sell me stuff i dont need so just only do my oil change

[@hattakhomma6133]

Jacob Schrenk lol soo TRUE!! I’ve gotten wiser both for me and the customers sake..to take the filter to the service advisor to actually show the customer how bad it actually is. Works 85% of the time.

[@fathan16]

I'd like an air filter but I don't want to pay 30 at the auto parts store so I think I'll pay 80 for someone else to poop it in.

[@ceeceebizzell4110]

I read my manual and changed mine myself for the 1st time. After seeing how easy it was, I realized Toyota has been ripping me off big time.

[@alexpuls8219]

Lol. Had something like that happen today. Recommended spark plugs on a truck about 6 months ago cuz they were past due. Gap was getting excessive on the plugs. They denied the plugs. Truck came back again today about 10,000 kms later. Check engine light on and misfiring. Had a bunch of misfire codes of course and a P0420. Bank 1 catalyst below threshold 😂 should have listened to my original estimate cuz now it's gonna cost him big time. Needs spark plugs and a $1500 catalytic converter.

[@chrism340i]

@@hattakhomma6133 I do the same but the customer still wont do it , maybe because we charge 150 for cabin and engine filters

[@vstabill36]

Just changed the one in my daughter's Jetta. Hasn't been changed for a few years. Was surprisingly... Clean.

[@yeahboiii6640]

Funny. I had this exact same thing in my 04 Lexus....Was a mouse. You could see the impression of where it was nested on the top of the filter and it made a nest using the inside sound damper from somewhere behind the dash. At some point as well the amp fuse is blowing and there is no radio because the fuse keeps blowing. I have a sneaking suspicion that while the mouse was chewing all his nesting from the dash that he probably clipped some wire....I still have to pull the radio cover to see where that missing sound proofing is....

[@frankielisag5516]

That was absolutely hilarious! And you kept saying what I was thinking when I replaced the cabin air filter in a 2006 Camry we bought recently! Ridiculous....Thank you.

[@Ididathinng]

Eric, that was the best opening intro to one of your videos I've ever seen. You should do the black and white stills more often. Great job!

[@James_Hough]

Sitting here in judgment not keeping up with maintenance...realize that I've never changed the cabin air filter in 11 years of owning my truck.

[@stevesvendsen8861]

I can't stop sneezing,what the thunder? love your lines.

[@bigrigchristfollower9020]

Thank you for this video and being an honest mechanic

[@JeffDeWitt]

My 1960 Studebaker Champ has a cabin air filter. It's made out of the same kind of metal mesh that's often used in range hoods so when it gets dirty it just goes into the dishwasher.

[@scrappyhustler7467]

This is why I do all my own services every spring I check my belts my plugs and replace my air intake filter cabin filter as well as my plugs if they need replacement I load test my battery and I test my alternator all of these things are maintenance and common folk always think ur trying to upsell lol! Also check ur brake pads and rotors I ended up replacing my knuckles my hub assembly's and all new brakes!

[@neechieandthebrain4481]

"There's your problem lady"! "She's just not a good blower"! 😆 🤣 😂

[@jstutz101]

"She's not a real good blower.." - LOL

[@drvnucrzy]

that's what he said

[@mutthead1444]

.....................HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@marwanmawahib7118]

Pun intended >>>>,

[@jameswagoner3810]

sounds like my ex wife

[@ravipateluk]

Atleast he had a good sucker (vacuum)...

[@robertwilson5660]

Good man, took the filter out and the air from the vents nearly stripped the skin off my face lol .

[@baxrok2.]

I've seen a bad one before but man, bad enough to bust the blend door off, jeez! Nice catch Mr. O.

[@b50richard]

Your guys videos are great, VERY HELPFUL!!

[@ManicMechanic007]

Always something interesting going on over there at SMA.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+ManicMechanic007 always something for sure

[@maintenanceman6526]

Why I'm I hooked watching these videos

[@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic]

I had a similar problem with an 06 Nissan Sentra even looks like the same general setup, but I couldn't keep the mice out to the point I had to block off the outside intake with a piece of plywood. I can't stand mice.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

On the older videos like these love the photos at the beginning before the video starts good work as always Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@zombieblaster5754]

Most fords from around 2010 and beyond will have one. Most of the cars I've seen them in are behind the glove box or some are under the center of the dash behind a panel on the passenger side floor. That panel is usually held in by 1 torx/star head screw at the bottom. Hard part of those is getting the new one in

[@ningen1980]

Digging the home made, manually adjustable schmoo remover attachment!

[@johnferguson7235]

I spray some Lysol disinfectant spray into the duct when I change the cabin air filter and wipe the filter box with some disinfectant wipes. My cars are more than 12 years old and THEY DON'T STINK INSIDE. My Acura puts out a reminder to change the filter. The activated carbon air filters work well if you live around smelly places like milk farms, sewage plants, oil fields, etc...

[@guyazbell7437]

Great Video Mr.O!

[@stevenhoop9009]

My opinion on cabin air filters... people shy away from replacing them because at the dealership they are outrageous. They wanted 89.99 for the filter and that didnt include labor. Went to AutoZone got an STP max for 29.99 and did it myself!

[@ragandoil]

Mate i live in the UK been watching all your vlogs , im not a car repair guy .. just a plain old painter airless , had me a dodge nitro 08 for a few years never new we had a filter , thanks for the heads up

[@mudfish091]

Cars that set around a while show will draw nests builders and then the stuff that in them.enjoyed

[@jamespn]

Just like a you tube video on how to change an in cabin filter on a 2004 Camry. Great video.

[@AdnanKhan-lu9yh]

Very helpful. Vent system cleaning with isopropyl alcohol or Lysol disinfectant, is necessary to circulate clean air. Mold and mildew cleaners should be used too, once every year. .. unless you drive like me, with the windows down. I don't have an AC in my car. Open air is cleaner than a sealed passenger cabin with all sorts of gases. Just my opinion. Fresh air is golden.

[@georgeholmes1490]

Nice one , appreciated much!

[@krugerblue]

Left headlight definitely on the to do list for some polishing, or glass replacement. I so hate it when i see headlights in this state :)))

[@brandonlink6568]

I had almost no heat or AC for years, running the blower on high made it come out like on low, not great in Minnesota winters with rust holes in your doors. One day I finally took apart the blower assembly under the hood and found the metal grate on the firewall blocked up with maple seeds, I don't think that car has a paper cabin filter.

[@tednugent7625]

03 Camry, yea 1903 by the looks of that filter.

[@andrewlaw]

I work in an Indy garage and I've lost count of the number of times I've serviced vehicles and found the cabin filter to be clogged up with crap blocking air flow. Most of these cars are 4-5 years old and been to main dealers for the start of their lifespan. I'd urge anybody getting a car serviced to put a box in the trunk and ask the mechanic to put all used service items in the box (except oil filter) to ensure the job is done correctly. We put all used service items in the boot (UK) as a matter of course.

[@commonsense2469]

I say delete the filter all together! Old cars never had them and never needed them. Great job as always by the way!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Good video Eric.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I'm glad that was a "new" Kleenex!

[@SouthMainAuto]

+The Disgruntled Mechanic Used ones don't flap as well...duh

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

I never thought of that! I thought maybe you were afraid of getting hit by flying debris from a used one.

[@aaronwallace4931]

The Disgruntled Mechanic this is a professional channel. No shenanigans.

[@187WCB]

I used to drive a 97 CRV that was owned by my boss who never maintained it. We get -20-30C temps on a regular basis in winter and the heat barely came out just like this so it was a big deal. I eventually found the filter and it was as bad as this one. I figured it was never changed since the car was brand new but who knows.

[@job38four10]

12;50 Yes who the heck knows about heater air filters, I never heard of it and I been around cars since the early 70's, thanks for showing.

[@vinnybruce2874]

heard it your the best mechanic out there where I live and I live in Pennsylvania there's hardly no good mechanics I live between King of Prussia Norristown there's a few but I heard that you were the best I used to live in Buffalo I wish I would have bring my car over to you when it comes to repair

[@jasonparker8908]

good stuff every video gets better and better

[@mikechiodetti6737]

That's the worse cabin air filter I've seen! After 2 years mine get dust in them, but not like that! Great Video!

[@motorcyclesandridingfree2899]

I don't remember pulling one ever that bad out yet and I've been doing it about 18 years now.

[@ndowroccus4168]

“There’s your problem lady!” I wonder if this guy ever had a plumber say the same thing to himself about him. But really congrats, you cleaned a filter. Go have a beer and call it a hard work day 😂

[@Cheesycook]

I didn't know I had a cabin air filter in my Rav4 until I order one for my 4runner and Amazon said it fit my Rav4. I pulled it out and some knucklehead shoved it in sideways crushing it in with a large area open. Explained my dusty vents here in the Oregon desert.

[@Tzkje]

My mom: "It smells like dead cat in the car everytime I start the car." I looked at the cabin airfilter: It changed its color from white to black due to fungus. Smelled horrible.

[@MyassesDragon]

Dorman probably has a replacement kit for that blend door, it just requires a little cutting.- haha.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+MyassesDragon Hahaha NO -_-

[@paulcarroll750]

+South Main Auto Repair aww come on eric. Dorman throws in free shiny foil tape. haha

[@UBBERTANKER]

Always a good idea to pull the easy ones when you do oil changes, almost always filthy and good ad on sale to boot.

[@63256325N]

Mice, gotta love em right? Thanks for the video.

[@ericcorse]

I've had a mummified mouse in my Trailblazer blower twice. It is obvious either by smell or the blower sounding like it will take off. Thank goodness its a piece of cake to pull the blower.

[@MrToni99]

this video was very good , Thanks so lot

[@hammerhead7344]

Great job 👏 👍

[@ASHAAY]

Awesome Video! You're a boss Ty

[@compscilaw]

Thank Dog you didn't keep doing that intro thing. For most people an intro lasting more than 5 seconds and I'm gone. Country music, I'm pausing the video, leaving a comment with lotsa swears, and then "Don't show me videos from this channel." :) Kidding. Love this channel.

[@jeromebrotton9785]

At the 6:00 mark you should have gotten your trusty leaf blower and forced air down the vents under the back of hood or below the windshield wipers, that would have forced all dirt and crap through that system. Just a thought, I do that with my household clothes dryer so lint doesn't cause a fire.

[@leehodge2415]

when im in my shop, i run your videos on random play. i think im lonely. lol thx sma

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Um No haha cool

[@albakanas3558]

Thanks Eric !

[@nighthawkj30A4]

My friends 2010 Honda Accord EX sedan had a similar problem With low air flow. Replaced the Interior cabin filter for her and after that maximum air flow. Ac was cold as well.

[@denniswilkinson1118]

Nasty!! Nough' said. Great video as always.

[@PeteyG708]

Holy hula!! Gotta check the one in the Elantra! Luckily my 98 Chevy doesn't have one!

[@rhkips]

H-hey! Careful with that vacuum! You sucked my face into the monitor! LOL Man, that poor cabin air filter had filtered ALL the cabins! Great find, Eric! :D

[@SouthMainAuto]

+rhkips it did a great amount of filtering for sure!

[@joea2274]

Nice work

[@JonesBrothersProductionsiac]

I should get my vents checked out soon. I might have a similar problem.

[@lonwillis783]

my 2009 Honda element I bought used had about the same problem had to replace the blower motor too wow

[@bborkzilla]

Supposedly my Subaru didn't have one - the manual made no mention of one. It turned out it did, but I had to remove a bunch of plastic on the passenger side in order to get to it. I ended up cutting a hole through the inside of the glove compartment to make changing the filter a 15 minute quicky instead of a 2 hour cussfest.

[@jayb.2164]

Wow !!! Its amazing that someone would send their car in for such an easy fix. Mechanic rates are on average $100 an hour !!! I hope the owner was elderly or atleast didn't have access to KZbin in the last 10 years.

[@normansmith7806]

That cabin filter is a mess !! Nice easy fix .

[@guy1637]

I remember you doing a stinky pickup truck that mice were living in.My boss had a 3 series bmw with the same smell.The radio did not work and it looked like the mice had a bit too much to drink one night and relieved themselves ontop of it.I told my boss I am not cleaning or working on that dash or hvac system.lol..He laughed when I told him about what you found..lol..He got rid of it instead..lol..Saved me time and a few showers that day..Enjoy :)

[@billymccagh5800]

never new they had a filter lolyiu learn something new everyday nice one

[@mondragon9282]

I learned about cabin air filters last year. My impala had 178k miles before I knew it was a thing. Lmao

[@Fahrenheit38]

I normally go for the cabin air filters that have a little baking soda or something in it. Dunno if its worth while. Surprised to hear about Purolator being trash. They are my go to brand if OEM is not on hand or priced to high.

[@geojor]

good for DIYers, thank you ...

[@g2macs]

You could of cleaned that filter with a spray of the good stuff!

[@SouthMainAuto]

+g2macs just spray tap and go

[@rustynail2783]

* could have

[@yepper1165]

@@rustynail2783 could've🙂

[@stuartshapiro6626]

I am just a average"civilian" and am very impressed by your work..I can't help but be wondering roughly how much you earn yearly for all your good work.. just curious

[@samrugtiv5563]

good video Eric, sam

[@hakaluku]

Propably safe to say its time for a new filter 😂

[@idrobinhood]

Everyone that buys any type of vehicle should get a training course of replacing cabin filters and air filters. Saves money and saves the cars down the road.

[@aaroncampbell9290]

Some of the Ford trucks with heated and cooled seats have filters to and the dealer wants a pretty nickel for the job. I change a few of there cabin air filters a day. It's always nice to teach customer something new about there car. Nice video once again sir. Look forward to The next one.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Aaron Campbell heated and cooled seats have a filter to huh?

[@aaroncampbell9290]

+South Main Auto Repair yes sir. There in the Ford trucks with heated and cooled seats.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh I know that but didn't know they had a filter

[@mikemai8568]

Hello, I have been watching your videos and they're very helpful. Thank you for posting them. Also, I have the 2008 Honda accord V6 and the air doesn't blow in the center. What could be wrong? I went the auto part to get the info to fix this problem. They told me that could be the blend door actuator not working. I've checked the main actuator below the dash and it does not rotate at all. I've bought the new actuator and put it in but it also does not rotate as well. Is anything else that could be wrong? Show less

[@dst6619]

it's surprising how many people do not know they even have one. but, never saw one quite that bad ! :-(

[@SouthMainAuto]

+d st yeah this one was pretty bad haha

[@applejacks971]

My sister doesn't know how to check her oil :( She thinks she can stop faster in the winter because she has 4wd Those are both TRUE stories, I kid you not...and she doesn't want to know. Grr!

[@papalouie5187]

Hello from Toronto! My story goes like this. I bought my 2010 Fusion in 2011 from the Ford dealer. The (original) manual doesn't mention a cabin air filter. Replacing one never came up during any of the warrant service at the local dealer. I buy most of my OEM Ford service parts from Rock Auto... they list a cabin air filter... but why would I by one when the manual and the dealer don't mention it??? Fast forward to spring of this year I see a KZbin video on changing the cabin air filter same model year, same model Fusion. I checked behind the glove box... and voila! One disgusting 6-yr old cabin air filter! It wasn't as bad as this one, but wow! If it got wet I'm sure some flowers would sprout from the dash. The thing I don't understand is the Ford manual and all of my Ford dealer never even mentioned it. For the record, I know about these filters. My 2006 Freestar minivan has a cabin air filter that I change regularly and it's in the manual. Same for my Dad's 2002 Saturn wagon. Ummm.... Go Eric!

[@flyboy2610]

The cabin air filter is one thing I don't have to worry about on my '04 Trailblazer EXT, cause there ain't none!

[@markryl-kuchar2373]

When I replaced the cabin air filter on my 2006 vibe when I got it, that cabin air filter looked a lot worse than that one, mainly because I was the first person to replace the cabin air filter almost 10 years later.

[@ozzstars_cars]

when shes not a good blower i just continue to move on down the road lol Enjoyed the vid

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Ozzstar good advice haha

[@TheOne-ql6cf]

Guess I gotta check mine now, damn!

[@dpeagles]

What about the evap coil? Could be dirty.

[@davidstreling3690]

had the dealership change one in my 2011 journey $23 for the filter plus install, after that i bought a k/n cabin filter for $38 and used till i bought my 2014 journey and switched it over to my new one and still using it,,,,.same for the engine air filter k/n has saved me boo koo $$$$$

[@bestbest2]

Scan Tool Recommendation. What is a good scan tool to get, that would show live data?

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

Holy crap!!! they use the car as a vacuum cleaner?

[@lrdisco2005]

Looked like something you would find under a teenager s bed.I had to go out to the shed and spray some brake clean, just to make it a real SMA post.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+LR Disco Haha glad you got your fix :)