No Cold Air flow

70sthrowback · Jul 5, 2011

Did a quick search and didn't see anything, but apologies if I am going over old ground.

Due to the recent warmer weather I have had need of colder air (at this point not tried the a/c). With the fan on 4 and temp set to the coldest I got a lot of noise, however the air flow from the vents is about the stength of an asthmatic 90 year old. Certainly not enough to keep you cool.

If I turn the temperature up to anything over 17 degs, so allowing hot air in, suddenly its like there is a warm gale in the cabin. So basically it seems like the fans are working on cold but no air is coming in.

Has anyone else experienced this? is it just a 993 thing, or does anyone know of a fix. I am just sticking to open windows and sunroof at the moment which is fine, just more an annoyance.

Many thanks in advance

John Maddox · Jul 5, 2011

The aircon on the 993 is not brilliant but mine can pull the cabin temp down to a comfortable level even when towards the South of France. Things I would do is to remove the two pollen filters and see if that increases the flow through the aircon. Is the compressor clicking in ok. Also check the flap servo motors are ok and fuses if they have one (Can't remember) If that fails you need to get it checked out by specialist for leaks/gas levels etc.

Mark Elder · Jul 5, 2011

There are quite a few flaps, each with its own electric motor to open and close it, around the ventilation system. I can well imagine there are different flaps/motors for "reduce temperature" vs "increase temperature". These flaps have a tendency to jam (and are often the cause of flat batteries as the motor keeps trying to work to finish the flap movement even when ignition is off). So quite likely one or more have jammed and so you are getting no air around the "cold" system. It's a lot of work to get at some of them so first step is to connect up a diagnostic tester - fortunately each flap is tested on the 993 diagnostic system so you can find out which ones have jammed.

zwhitea · Jul 5, 2011

The common Flap/Motor which fails is the recirculation flap, as it is constantly in use... Every time you turn off the ignition, it closes to prevent outside air from entering the cabin, then opens when you start the ignition (assuming you dont have it set to recirculate) This can be seen easily by removing the plastic cover in the bonnet under the windscreen.. Start the car and get someone to turn it on and off and see it it moves.. adam

clyde · Jul 5, 2011

Sounds like the motor in the recirculation flap as Adam suggested. Easy but expensive (for what it is) fix

zwhitea · Jul 5, 2011

some info which could be useful.

70sthrowback · Jul 6, 2011

thanks for all the advice, will look into the recirculation motor. I tried the a/c this morning and that works without issue at all temperatures, but exactly the same when I turned to cold, nothing came out. The noise you hear is like that of a vacuum hose when something is stuck. So definitely something blocking the airflow, so I guess a stuck flap would fit that. Anyone know how much a new motor is? I amy have to live with it for a while if its too costly. Thanks again

vitesse · Jul 6, 2011

I can't remember when it was precisely,but there has been a post on here-possibly 964 related which gave a good account of repairing these servo motors at low cost-Steve Brookes may be the man to ask.Sorry can't be more helpfull.

zwhitea · Jul 6, 2011

A repair or secondhand motor is normally just short-term as the tracks on the PCB have normally lifted or burnt away.. I have replaced a number of different motors on our 993.. from memory...[8|] one 2nd hand - Â£40 (still working...) others were Â£100-140 from OPC.. even though they all look basically exactly the same units just with different arms/levers ? [&:] Adam. PS when our re-circ went, I temporarily just removed the motor and tied the level so it was open..

clyde · Jul 6, 2011

I may have seen a new one not too long ago on ebay, from either Jasmine or Porsch-apart - not sure if it sold but may be worth giving them a bell as I'm sure it only Â£90 with free P & P. Or keep an eye out on ebay if you're in no rush. I got a couple of footwell motors, flaps and a section of ducting for Â£15 just a couple of days after I diagnosed why I was only getting heat in half of the car. A new motor alone was Â£120 plus VAT and delivery if I remember correctly. Only needed one so now have a spare just in case.

bobrabagliati · Jul 25, 2022

I undertook the excellent Great North Run yesterday, but suffered the lack of any cold air ventilation post our lunch stop. The car was parked in the hot sun for about 2 hours. Upon restart, wanting to use the air on, nothing came out of any vent, even though the fans could heard working. I thought a leading vent pipe had become detached or there was a blockage in the system. Reading the manual it talked vaguely about condensers being switched off automatically under certain temperature conditions, though the manual instructions were far from clear. we used good old window ventilation for our return journey. The manual talked about the heat of the engine shutting down various ventilation and air con functions, or battery power being low. However, to my pleasant relief normal ventilation operations resumed this morning, presumably because the engine had cooled down. Can anyone explain why this should have happened? It seems bizarre that at a time when you most need air con and cool ventilation, it cuts itself off. Is there a simple solution to prevent this closure of the ventilation system? My car is a 2.7L 2013 Boxster 981. Any thoughts would be welcome.