Auto Reserve shows how to change the motorised dashboard vents on the XF, which can fail and stick open or closed
THE VENTS on the XF’s dashboard are an impressive sight when they automatically open or close upon switching the climate control or the ignition on or off However, they are known to fail, resulting in one or more of them remaining stuck open or closed. They are not too difficult to replace, but a new unit costs £505.40+VAT (£606.48) because it’s supplied as both the motor and vent assembly. Fortunately, they are also available much cheaper second-hand.
The reason for the vent failing to open and close is caused by a small plastic part that breaks and is attached to the motor’s drive. We’ve heard that some people have extracted the motor and fixed this plastic part with epoxy resin. Other people have replaced the motor.
The following steps show how Auto Reserve remove the four vents and their motors from the XF’s dashboard on the Mk 1 model (also known as the X250), which was produced between 2008 and 2015.
REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT MOTOR
1
The nearside (passenger side) outer vent motor is one of the easiest to replace. Mark at Auto Reserve begins the job by carefully prising off the lower dashboard trim using a trim tool
2
Next, he prises off the plastic cover on the nearside outer edge of the dashboard and removes two Torx T20 screws, which are part of the dashboard that houses the vent and motor we are replacing
3
Two more Torx T20 screws secure this part of the dashboard, which are hidden behind the lower trim that was prised off in Step 1. Mark can now access these two screws and undo them
4
This part of the dashboard can now be removed. There is an electrical plug to detach for the vent motor, then the entire assembly is transferred to a workbench to replace the vent motor
5
Turning the assembly over and placing it on a soft surface to avoid scratching it, Mark undoes five Torx T20 screws to release the front panel, which will enable the vent motor to be removed
6
With the five Torx T20 screws undone in the last step, the front panel is removed, which helps to expose the front of the vent motor and allow it to be removed by undoing its mounting screws
7
The vent motor is held in place with four Torx T20 screws, which were conc
