This is the latest little foible.

 

The car has now decided that I can't have fresh air, I must only have recirculated air! Out of the blue the recirculate switch has lit up and won't go out no matter what setting the a/c or heater is.

 

Anyone any ideas please?

Flap is stuck, very common, flap motor potentiometer failure usually. Irritating and tricky to fix.

I take it access is not easy then?

The air distribution unit is up under the dash/glovebox area and the flap is inside it, the motor may be reachable from the outside world, but not easily.

 

Mine is stuck open rather than shut so I don't really care, it's only a nuisance in tunnels.

Had a quick look and I can't get to it without at least some dismantling, so it will have to stay.

 

Strange that it when it failed it went to recirculate - I never use that setting - whilst yours failed open?

It automatically goes into recirc when you're in reverse, maybe that could be something to do with it? 

• And this morning the light has gone off! Nothing altered or changed - and I don't intend to either.
•  

Your reversing light switch could be intermittent ? next time it comes on have a look to see it the reversing lights are on !

 

@CoCo 26 I think @sparky2 has a point; this would be an unusual failure, but it does seem to fit all the facts stated so far.

On 5/16/2017 at 08:06, Coco76 said:

• And this morning the light has gone off! Nothing altered or changed - and I don't intend to either.
•  

 

I've been having similar problems with mine. I'm thinking it might just be the light (in the switch) that's intermittent. I've turned it on before and the light has not come on, but I've heard the flaps open. The main problem with my car is the smell of fumes in the cabin - which is common for me in traffic! I usually have the air circulation button on at all times unless I'm on the motorway.