Rick down under

For the search engines - re my Porsche MY02 996 - the pictures and descriptions in this thread were helpful as I removed the driver's side vent panel to re-attach the air vent opening and closing wheel's link arm to the air vent valve. It had either popped off at some stage, or had never been connected properly at the factory. I have some additions for the disassembly instructions. - to remove the light switch (25 in Loren's diagram above) use a torch and look for the metal tab right at the leading edge of the slot that's revealed on the underside of the knob when it's pulled out. This tab needs only the slightest push inwards with the tip of a small screwdriver to release the knob from its shaft. The screwdriver will be perpendicular to the knob when you do this, rather than angled as shown in the diagram. There should be no effort at all with this step, so go gently. - there are three screws labelled as number 21, all Torx 20. Two are easily seen on the outside of the side vent, near the A pillar. The third is in a hole revealed once the light switch knob is removed. Be sure to take all three screws out. The side vent panel is now ready for removal. - now for the real reason I'm writing this post. There are two, strong clips holding the side vent into the dash; one at the top and one at the bottom. You'll feel their resistance as you try to work the side vent free. I was removing the side vent for the first time and those clips were holding on tight! With clean, mechnanic's nitrile gloves on for good grip and with my arms extended to avoid over-travel I tugged to release the vent from the top clip, then again for the bottom clip. Nothing broke, probably because I was careful to avoid over-travel when the clips released. The clip system consists of metal, female clips embedded in the dash, which receive plastic male probes moulded into the inner surface of the side vent. These went back together nicely upon reassembly. As for my problem of the open/close wheel not operating the valve inside the air vent duct, the link arm had fallen off the valve. I snapped it into place. I'm not convinced it will stay there. If it falls off I'll add some kind of pin to keep the plastic ring at the end of the link arm riding on the plastic ball at the end of the valve's shaft. I hope this helps anyone pulling these side vents off. Regards, Rick. edit - once the side vent panel is removed it will dangle from the attached electrics. There will be sticky glue residue from the tapes and rattle insulation materials around these electrics. Some of this glue will get onto the dash surfaces in the area. I used warm water and mild soap from the bathroom to clean this up, with fresh, warm water on a cloth for wiping clear a few times. Better to do this than experiment with solvents, which can ruin interior finishes in a second or two.