Removing heater duct to fix yellow htr clip?
 

Before I destroy anything. I have a 1997 Ti (Auto). I've found why there is no heat in the car, as the heater cable mount is not secure to the heater box. (I can see the red cable with yellow clip free). I know the clip should mount on the side of the heaterbox, but have read about the service bulletin where a small screw should keep it in-place...etc

Question. The heater duct assembly has a "down tube" of sorts that goes into the driveline tunnel. There is a recessed elongated slot in the carpet for it. It basically keeps me from pulling the unit downward so I can slide the duct to the right then out?

(Any suggestions, or am I must missing something real obvoius here?)

I recently had to do the same repair.
Getting the black plastic duct out is a pain.
I think swearing and yanking was what finally removed it for me !!
You actually have to exert enough force to deform it slightly if i remember correctly.
I think i pushed the whole thing down a bit, then pulled the top towards the passenger side.

Enjoy pulling it out, because getting it back into place will be even more frustrating!

When you are done, enjoy the heat and the fact that the repair only cost 5 cents for a screw. :)

Here is what I did earlier today.

- Pulled out the glovebox and lower kickpad area (few screws) and disconnected the lights from the box and lower foot area.

- ALSO (this time) removed the metal backing area (3 - 10mm bolts) that are directly behind that lower section by your knees. 2-bolts on left side and one on the right.

- With the metal backing removed you can now have a bit more wiggle-room to the right for the ducting. Over-up-out. Takes a little work but it can be removed. (While I was at it, I trimmed that lower section that mounts into the drive tunnel, just enough so it is in there by 1/4" (vs 1-2") so it can perform its function. Possibly it is a tunnel for rear heat to the passenger area.

- I could then see the yellow clip DID fall out, but was able to snap it up into the heaterbox with no issues. It was in perfect condition. I also tapped in a small screw just at its base (the yellow clip) so it can not move downward and come loose again, but also that the head edge was holding the clip in.

Long story short. Full heat again!

BTW. Max thanks for the quick reply earlier today.

Glad to hear that you successfully completed the repair !
Good idea about trimming some of the plastic off of the lower vent tube.

I should have taken some photos and notes when i fixed my car.
Once I had it back together, i momentarily thought about skipping the screw addition.
But then I turned the heat control knob fully back and forth while watching the cable end with some good light. I could see that right at the end of the throw, there was some vertical force being exerted onto the yellow clip that holds the bowden cable.
I feel better now knowing that there is a screw securing the cable end.

cheers,
max

...at some point I need to post-up my fix for the glovebox, where most seem to snap off the left-side stub. (Using a barrel-bolt). Perfect and just about indestructable fix.