Bank holiday weekend DIY jobs

I've got two jobs planned for the bank holiday weekend and could do with a heads up before I start. The drivers side air vent open/closed knurled wheel is not working i.e. it wont close off the air flow, any ideas how you can access the mechanism it seems to have become detached I'm about to fit some retro HIDs and have printed off the DIY guide which is a great help, just one question though, Paul the author of the guide said he had to modify the clip in order to pass the bulb through, I can't make out from the photo how he did this and don't want to butcher the fitting in case I want to return to standard in future. Any ideas how he did this or where I can obtain the plastic part would be a great help. I think the OE light fittings are Hella but can't identify the part on their on line parts catelogue. Any help much appreciated

Take a look at the ignition switch DIY, which has instructions on how to take the vent off. You just have to tweak the bulb clips so that the new bulb sits snugly in the holder. Almost impossible to describe - easier when you have everything out and in front of you.

Thanks for the ignition switch tip Richard, re the HIDs I had a quick look last weekend, removed the headlight unit but couldn't see how the plastic clip would hold the bulb seated in place unless it was passed through the clip. The standard bulb is a push fit into the clip from the other side which then twists into place bayonet like. With the HID bulbs they are soldered to the wires so unable to assemble from that side due to the wires and the moulded connecter plugs that are too big to pass through the hole in the centre of the clip. Ar first glance it looked to me like a Krypton factor puzzle and I know Paul said he had to modify just not sure how he did it. [&:]

Sorry Ashley - I realise now - mine has metal wire clips (pre-facelift model - different bulbs). Why not drop Paul an email, and see if he can shed some light on the problem? (Excuse the pun).

Richard, I've already done that but he's not responded, probably hasn't picked it up yet. So I'm still in the dark(return Pun 15 all)[ ] Ashley

You just need a FLASH of inspiration, or a BRIGHT idea! Sorry, I'll get my coat.

Hi, I did my pre-facelift and don't remember the clips being difficult. The hardest bit is cutting the holes in the end plate for the wire to go through.. Good luck Stu

mine's a facelift car with the different fittings

Just done the air vents on mine. Very easy to do but not sure how long it will last as the whole setup is a bit flimsy. Don't know if anyone has any ideas but the rod that all the vent blades clip into is rather weak - can it be replaced or as usual is it a whole unit?

You guessed it - it comes as a complete assembly. From £53+vat for the basic black plastic one, up to about £340 if you have a fancy arctic/carbon/leather one.

I take it that this is a common problem then with the air vents?

Not really - I can't say I've heard of it much before - or maybe I haven't noticed.

When I first purchased my car none of the blades in either air vent were fixed to the rod, but I managed to re-attach them all using a hook set. It was rather fiddly, but 18 months later, they're all still attached and working fine, so I wouldn't worry too much...