Cabin air intake plug - should it be there?

[MJL944]

Hello all,
On removing the long plastic trim above the glove box (in order to remove and repair the digital clock) I found that there was a plastic plug over the cabin air intake hole that is behind the small rosette grill to the left of the cigarette lighter (see photo 1 below). I can push this plastic plug out very easily using a biro (see photo 2 below).

Should that plastic plug be there?
If so, why is it there?
The pipe that connects up behind that hole joins to the little cabin air intake sensor and fan unit behind the glove box so I don't understand why there would be a plug there as surely this would stop cabin air being drawn through the pipe towards the sensor.

Many of you will have taken off the trim in this area so did you all have this plug or should I remove it? I've ordered a new long trim piece as my current one has a small crack in it but if I don't need the plug I won't transfer it across to the new trim.

Many thanks.

 

[IanK]

Pretty sure mine had a spigot and a hose connected where that hole is and definitely no plug. I remember because it was a devil of a job getting the hose back on when refitting the panel.

Ian

 

[Mikebarry202]

Mine definately doesn't have this plug. As you mentioned, it seems illogical to block the tube?

 

[MJL944]

Thanks for the confirmation fellas. I'll ditch the plug on re-fit of the hose and trim. Think of the weight saving!

Previous owner to me had the dashboard swapped for a non-cracked replacement and I eventually noticed that the rubber pipe between the intake fan and the hole in the pictures above was missing so I sourced a used one and fitted it. I assume the plug was placed over the hole at the dash changeover as they either lost or damaged the rubber tube and didn't have a replacement to hand so just filled the hole with the little plug. The little intake fan is often a little noisy for a minute or two after start up and the presence of this plug won't be helping as the air won't be flowing as easily into the unit as it should.

And, yes, I can see that the rubber tube will be a pain to reattach to the back of the trim but just getting the trim off in the first place was a nightmare - I counted the removal of 9 screws and 6 various 'bits' of trim followed by the inevitable cracking of the brittle long trim. Nearly £40 for a new one - ordered today.

 

[Frenchy]

Should have a hose connected to a pump which I believe samples the internal air temp, dash trim used to be £18 from Opc, someone flogging them on flea bay at £70............. No !

 

[IanK]

I replaced the long strip last year - it was £33 + £20 for the heater panel strip.

Ian

 

[9four4]

Pretty sure mine had a spigot and a hose connected where that hole is and definitely no plug. I remember because it was a devil of a job getting the hose back on when refitting the panel.

Ian

Fine fishing line or sewing thread is what I use (getting pretty handy at it after repairing so many lcd clocks).. loop it around the tube so you can pull the tube upto the vent hole. Alternatively, it can be done by taking the glovebox out.

Never seen a plug there as above.

 

[Mikebarry202]

It's easy with the glovebox out, which is simple to remove. Can't remember the amount of screws (6 or so iirc) then gently move sideways the glovebox lid to the side to allow it to unclip from its runner all the way.

 

[jellytott]

While your talking about this, I don't have the "hose connected at all" from this dash vent which doesn't have a bung in either to the pump,,, I found this out when I changed the complete dash out last year. When I was going it I couldn't find/see or hear a pump running either for the pipe to locate onto (I assume its located passenger side behind the glove box ??).
Some-one had been there before me as some muppet had an additional vacuum tube from the inlet manifold routed to appear behind the centre vent (where you reset the mileage on the clock) with a small multiway for power,,,,very odd!

Any chance of a picture of where this pump is located gents?

 

[Waylander]

up behind the glove box, you need to get upside down to see it

 

[jellytott]

Cheers, if I'm late replying I'm stuck in that position still

 

[Diver944]

I imagine that when the dash was swapped, it came from a car that did not have the automatic temperature control that an S2 does. Therefore it would not have the hose going to the temperature sensor and hence the hole was blanked off.

You should have more accurate temperature control now the bung is removed []

 

[MJL944]

Paul, that's interesting, thanks. That plug did look as though it was specifically for that hole so your explanation makes sense.
I've just finished refitting the new trim and have removed the bung so we'll see what impact it has on the temperature control.