HVAC Recirculation?

[Threehz]

I believe my the recirculate function in my E30 doesn't work. The button can be pushed, lights up, but I don't think it functions properly.

For instance, with recirculate on I still smell any outside smells.

Any way to check and see if it's actually functioning?

I feel like it's also having a negative affect on my air conditioning because it's trying to cool down 110 degree outside air instead of 60 to 80 degree inside air...

Thanks!

[vpilarrt]

With the fan on 1 you should be able to hear the motors and flaps moving. With the fan on 3 or 4 you should be able to hear the pictch of the blowing air change.

[e30 gangsta]

turn the ac on high, step out of the car, if the vents under the wipers are still sucking air in its not working. Its normal for it to suck a little bit of air through those vents. Im sure changing the hvac seals will better the performance.

[jeffnhiscars]

OK...while replacing the blower resistor I found whats in the 1st pic which was clearly left behind by what ate the part in the 2nd pic. After taking it all apart I found the flaps that are in the 3rd pic.

If you remove the firewall cover you can see the flaps which are connected by a plastic arm to each other. The smaller one is connected to an arm attached to a servo motor that sits inside the car on the HVAC unit. The arm snaps in to the metal socket you can see.

You can listen for the servo inside or check the flaps moving behind the firewal cover.