Removing parts of the HVAC area

[thisis200]

So I'm clumsy. I had to replace one of the light bulbs that were behind the HVAC, and I reached in, almost had it and... !$#! The bulbs fell down into that limbo space below/behind where the shifter is. How do I open that up and fish them out? I know how to take off the panel above the air conditioning controls, but I don't know how to get rid of what's below it. Help!

[Wolfman213]

Not knowing how much you have disassembled so far, I'll start from here:Pull out the center knob and remove the screw.Slowly and carefully start lifting the silver plastic area around the shifter.Once you work your way up the the HVAC area, those parts are a lil more diffucult and require more pressure yet finesse to get them out safely.At this point, you should have access to two screws holding in the top of the bottom console. Remove them.The little compartment door below the shifter, remove that by simply pulling it out further than normal.This should put two more screws into view now. Remove those.For some reason I'm thinking there is another screw, but I can't remember as I'm doing this strictly from memory.I believe now yo uare able to pull that console towards the rear of the Vibe and you should hopefully be able to locate the bulb.

[L5K]

I DID THIS SAME EXACT THING!So, I got the bulbs out, one is still in the car, under the shifter or carpet or... somewhere... I even pulled the whole console out around the shifter and could not find it for the life of me. The new ones are really difficult to get in. I know the white piece behind the controls comes out somehow for for the life of me couldn't figure it out either! So I had to CAREFULLY put the new ones in, backwards with my hands bunched up inside the dash. It can be done, just be very careful, and use a short flathead screwdriver (or even a bit out of one of those universal screwdrivers) to turn the bulbs once you get them into place to lock them.Sorry I'm not much help, but just know you are not alone and I feel your anguish. Also, if you have not gotten the bulbs yet, the Toyota dealer here had them for 10 bucks each, and the GM dealer wanted 25 each... so watch out for that.

[thisis200]

I hear ya. I ordered some from Toyota though and.. drumroll... they didn't fit!Now I have a stupid new problem- I thought I'd put everything back the way it was when I finished, but apparently not. Only one of the vents on my dash blows cool air! Anyone know where the flapper selector is? Help!

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by thisis200 »Anyone know where the flapper selector is? Help!The "flapper selector" is on the center console accessible from under the drivers side.