That information is at the beginning of this thread. It controls whether the cabin air is mostly fresh or recirculated. It is different in function from the dial to the left of the a/c controls, which just mixes fresh air into the center dash vents.

Actually I have determined that the damper motor is non-functional, and I have since ordered a replacement. The motor is over $150 new, so I scoured the junkyards online and found one for $35 plus shipping. Even if it only works for a couple of years, it's worth the savings.

Good to know there are only two screws holding the motor in place. Hard to tell when looking through the glove box opening. Once again, to all who have provided their advice - thanks.

The easiest way to find out if the air damper is operating is to press the button and listen. If you hear motor noise for a couple of seconds, then the motor is working but the damper is not operating.

If you hear nothing (as I did), the problem could be electrical - bad motor or power related ...

Got to see the air damper by opening the panel under the windshield wipers and it was definitely open. Once I removed the glove box I could see the servo and linkage. I have two problems. The arm is not on the servo, and the servo is not operating. There is power to the connector, that switches on ...

That's great info - now I know where to look. Seems like I have part of Saturday morning planned out for myself. Chores can wait when there is a Swede in the garage that needs attention.

A newbie to this forum,

Just got a 94 850 wagon with manual air and I have ahd a couple of problems that are related. In slow traffic or idling, there was a smell coming through the vents that reminded me of blow by. Closing the recirculating air damper had no effect on the smell coming in. As it ...