How do you fix the center vent on a 1998 C280 MB?

[Ahead60]

A/C is brand new. Now the center vent does not blow at all. Checked with MB
service and they say I need to remove entire dash ($1200 minimum to remove)
and find the broken plastic part which is blocking vent. Can this be the
problem? Does it really cost this much just to remove the dash, plus the cost
of finding the broken part and replacing that? Is there an easier way to find
out why the center vent is not working? All the motors for the vents were
replaced last year as well so I've covered just about everything. Hoping to
keep this car for at least three more years. Has just over 100,000 miles and
been garaged. Live in the desert so I really need the A/C to blow from center
vent. Right now the air only comes through the two side vents and the vents
going to the windshield. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Roland Franzius]

Post by Ahead60
A/C is brand new. Now the center vent does not blow at all. Checked with
MB service and they say I need to remove entire dash ($1200 minimum to
remove) and find the broken plastic part which is blocking vent. Can
this be the problem? Does it really cost this much just to remove the
dash, plus the cost of finding the broken part and replacing that? Is
there an easier way to find out why the center vent is not working? All
the motors for the vents were replaced last year as well so I've covered
just about everything. Hoping to keep this car for at least three more
years. Has just over 100,000 miles and been garaged. Live in the
desert so I really need the A/C to blow from center vent. Right now the
air only comes through the two side vents and the vents going to the
windshield. Any advice would be appreciated.

Perhaps the German motor talk is helpful:

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/mittlere-luftduesen-ausbauen-t2472632.html

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktion/Attachment.html?attachmentId=678968

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktion/Attachment.html?attachmentId=678969

http://www.c-klasse-forum.de/wbb3/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=52992

says that the vacuum pump for the pneumatics in the trunk could be
faulty. Another one found a faulty membran at the vent, still another
one had a blocked the vent cover. I once used a half bottle of Coke to
glue it.