Front defrost/ a/c vent maps, schematics? Help!

[UpstateNY585]

Apparently my nephew dropped several gummy bears down windshield defrost vents, and I have no clue how to recover them. Does anyone have any ideas how to access the front defrost vents, or, where they lead to, so I can attempt to remove the gummy bears before they melt and bind things up? Thanks in advance!

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[Ducati1098]

It really depends how far down they have gone. I’ll attach the instructions to remove the vent panel, but some of them could’ve already made their way into the climate control housing, which would mean the whole dashboard and climate control housing would need to be removed.

 

[Ducati1098]

501-12 Instrument Panel and Console	2022 - 2023 Bronco​
Removal and Installation	Procedure revision date: 04/21/2021​

Defrost Vent Trim Panel
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Interior Trim Remover

Removal
NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the A-pillar trim panels.
   Refer to: B-Pillar Trim Panel - 3-Door (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: A-Pillar Trim Panel - 5-Door (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the screws, release the clips and remove the assist handle.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Release the clips and remove the instrument panel speaker grille.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the bolt.
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. 
   Remove instrument panel swtich pack.
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Position aside the bolt covers.

1. Remove the bolts.
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. Remove the bolt, release the clips and remove the instrument panel upper trim panel.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. Detach the harness retainer.

1. 
   Remove the bolts, release the clips and remoe the defrost vent trim panel.
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

 

[UpstateNY585]

501-12 Instrument Panel and Console	2022 - 2023 Bronco​
Removal and Installation	Procedure revision date: 04/21/2021​

Defrost Vent Trim Panel
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Interior Trim Remover

Removal
NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the A-pillar trim panels.
   Refer to: B-Pillar Trim Panel - 3-Door (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: A-Pillar Trim Panel - 5-Door (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
2. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the screws, release the clips and remove the assist handle.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Release the clips and remove the instrument panel speaker grille.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. NOTE: On both sides.
   Remove the bolt.
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. 
   Remove instrument panel swtich pack.
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Position aside the bolt covers.

1. Remove the bolts.
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. Remove the bolt, release the clips and remove the instrument panel upper trim panel.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. Detach the harness retainer.

1. 
   Remove the bolts, release the clips and remoe the defrost vent trim panel.
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

OMG thank you so much, if this works you are a life saver!

 

[Mario3241]

I dropped a nut down there and it made it’s way past the 4 small holes at the bottom of the gulley there. What does it go to after it clears those? I’m down to do all this, but can you go past those bottom holes from this process?

 

[hellahella]

I dropped a nut down there and it made it’s way past the 4 small holes at the bottom of the gulley there. What does it go to after it clears those? I’m down to do all this, but can you go past those bottom holes from this process?

Bumping this thread as I dropped a small allen key down this abyss.

Do we have any imagery beyond taking the top panel off? I heard the key move around as I take turns but not sure where the end game is.

 

[swooshdave]

@Ducati1098
Any other diagrams past getting the vent cover off? I’d kinda like to get the SD card back. I can’t see it from the top.

 

[Mlarv]

Any other diagrams past getting the vent cover off? I’d kinda like to get the SD card back.

An SD card is pretty lite. I think I would cover all the vents, but the one it fell down, and use a shop vac with an old stocking over the hose to capture the card. I have done this on sink drains when rings or earrings fall down them.

 

[swooshdave]

An SD card is pretty lite. I think I would cover all the vents, but the one it fell down, and use a shop vac with an old stocking over the hose to capture the card. I have done this on sink drains when rings or earrings fall down them.

It’s very narrow slot.

 

[Ducati1098]

@Ducati1098
Any other diagrams past getting the vent cover off? I’d kinda like to get the SD card back. I can’t see it from the top.

There really aren’t any other diagrams that will help. If it went past the defrost vents, it’s likely in the climate control housing which is going to be very difficult to get anything out of there.

 

[adam1991]

There really aren’t any other diagrams that will help. If it went past the defrost vents, it’s likely in the climate control housing which is going to be very difficult to get anything out of there.

 

[swooshdave]

There really aren’t any other diagrams that will help. If it went past the defrost vents, it’s likely in the climate control housing which is going to be very difficult to get anything out of there.

I heard it ping pong for a while so I don’t have a lot of hope.

Maybe I’ll put it in Max and pray it gets blown up?

 

[Ducati1098]

Love that movie lol

 

[Ducati1098]

I heard it ping pong for a while so I don’t have a lot of hope.

Maybe I’ll put it in Max and pray it gets blown up?

Yeah sorry, wish I had a better idea. Unfortunately that’s like a black hole. And a lot of work to retrieve anything in it.

 

[adam1991]

Yeah sorry, wish I had a better idea. Unfortunately that’s like a black hole. And a lot of work to retrieve anything in it.

I can't help but think a thin stiff reed or stick with chewing gum on it might be a decent hail Mary.

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