Flounder

Since the old threads on changing the AC cabin filters are missing some pictures, I have decided to post a new one since I have recently changed mine.

The filters that I got was from Pep Boys for $21.99 for the pair. It is model #C15390, manufactured by Micron Air the same ones as the stock filters.

Flounder

First thing to do is to remove the screw that holds down the glove box dampener.


Next, look inside the glove box & you'll see 2 plastic pieces that prevents the glove box from falling all the way down. You need to remove the 2 clips that's behind here, do this by using a needle nose pliers & a screw driver.

Flounder

Remove the 2 screws that is attached to the glove box & take out the box.


This is what you see on a car w/ the original filter once the box has been removed.

Flounder

I used a Dremel to cut out the plastic covering in order to get to the filter. DO NOT THROW AWAY THIS PIECE, YOU'LL NEED IT AGAIN.


Now you have access to the filter. Lift up the cover to the filter box & take out the old filter, clean the inside of the chamber and then put the new filters back.




[edit] Make sure you do not throw away the white plastic filter holders.

Flounder

Close the filter cover & use the trim piece that I told you not to throw away to cover up the filter box. Place it back in sideways & screw it down.


Now you are almost done, just reverse the steps to put back the glove box & enjoy the cleaner air from the new filters.

Flounder

My original filters were NASTY, all black w/ almost full air restriction.



Those that have changed out the filters can really appreciate the fresher air.

fsttyms1

Great DIY!

ronvanr

Great DIY, this is something that is very easy to do and will save you some bucks. I've heard of people being charged 40 bucks for parts and labor for doing what you described so well.

ResidualFreedom

Perfect DIY... this should be stickied in a DIY section..
This has been a topic of discussion recently however it was not explained as well as ou have done here.. I didn't know I had to take out my glove box.. and I think it's pretty neat to be able to see if it has ever been done on your car, I'm going to check today....I'm pretty sure it is the origional one.

Well if it is 1/2 hour of labour and the part.. I wouldn't say $40 bucks is a rip off... much cheaper to do it yourself, but mostly everything on your car is cheaper to do yourself, if you have the knowledge, and thanks's to this DIY here's another job we can take from the Mechanics..

Thanks again Flounder.. Much appreciated

Patrick

shawn744

wow only 40?...i heard like 100+.....cuz it's all labor and i think acuras labor rate is like 80 or 90 something....one hr...plus parts....into the 100-150 range...

anyway, i did this also, and it's a great diy project

ndawood

thats a great diy... i would definately attempt to change my own filter and i probably would be able to take everything apart but knowing me i wont be able to put it all back together. if the dealer is going to charge me over 100 to change it for me i might just have to attempt to do it myself...

bkzjimmy

this is great....i think a-tl should have a section just for diy's......anyone else??

fsttyms1

Yes i do

ResidualFreedom

You know we'll help you out there..... I've just got to find the filters.. I'm going to check Canadian Tire today...

Message me when you're back in town..

tl-s4now

Thanks for the DIY I have been putting it off but hopefully I'll get it done this weekend. Mine are 2 and 1/2 years old (original) and have 27,000 miles on em. Yuk!

magnod

Great job. I changed mine a couple of weeks ago. I discovered that instead of unscrewing the arm that holds the compartment shut (dampener) there is a little button on the back that lets you unhook the arm from the glove compartment. When you're done, you just pull the arm and plug it back in. I'm not sure if its better, its just my 2 cents.

subtledreamer

absolutely
i think the FAQ section should be renamed as FAQs/DIYs... hope to see that happen in the future. There have been so many good DIY threads that have just been pushed down... I see the need for that new section.

BTW sweet guide, one of these days im gonna do this too!

heresisnowhy

Just thought I would add my 2 cents. Autozone sells the cabin filters in stock on the sales floor for 12 bucks a pair. Bosch PN# P3600.

bkzjimmy

how many miles does the original filters last???

ou sig

you really should change them every year or about 10-15k miles. of course that depends on how much you use your air system and if you live in the city/dusty area. I would say every year at the most.

BTW great DIY!!

bkzjimmy

thanx for the info!!

ndawood

thanx guy I think I might have to take you up on that when Im in town next!!!

acutee

Great instructions. Credits to the creator.

scottt

Worked like a champ for me, did it in 20 mins.

Thanks!!!!

MikeTL-S

This DIY is one of the top dealer rip off's. I cringed when I did it because of how simple it was compared to what the dealer would have charged.

ou sig

there are many DIYs that the dealers charge way too much for - thats why I try to never go there if I can

for example - on my mom's '02 Avalon, the dealer quoted her $90!!! and it was even alot easier than for the TL - I had no idea what I was doing, and it took me less than 5 minutes to replace hers!!!

repsol

i assume this is the same procedure for all 1999-2004 TL's?

by the way great info

thx

ou sig

'99-'03 TLs not the '04, it will be different, but Im sure it is a DIY also

fsttyms1

my dad was quoted 80 to do it on his caddy. i did it in less than a min. now thatis a rip off. all you have to do is pop the hood, flip the lid pull the old one out slip the new one in, close the lid. i couldnt believe how easy it was. i wish the TL was that easy

ou sig

the AC filter is in the engine bay??? or are you talking about the engine air filter?

MikePA

FWIW, the cabin air filter on my wifes New Beetle is in the engine compartment, up near the dash, so it wouldn't surprise me that the Caddy's is too.

fsttyms1

yes teh cabin filter

open the hood and up by the firewall is where teh motor is for the hvac. pop open a littel lid and swapping couldnt be easier

Bxscig

Instead of a dremel, just crab a pair or strong wire cutters. faster and dont have to worry about the burning plastic smell.

ou sig

hmm interesting. If dealers wouldnt be so damn shady about stuff like this, they wouldnt have such a bad rep. and more people wouldnt mind taking their cars in for service - but I dont think they care what my opinion is, as long as ignorant people take their cars in

wanker256

Thanks Flounder. I just used your guide to replace my cabin air filters at 30K miles. Took me 40 mins since I had a little trouble with those two little blocking clips and did not have a dremel tool (used a Miracle Blade utility scissor). Next time, it would probably only take 15 mins or less to take everything apart and put back together. The guide was an immense help and only cost me $21.99 at Pep Boys and not $$$ from the dealer. I am in your debt.

dwboston

Thanks for the great guide. Changed my filters at 17,500 miles last night and they were really dirty. Took me about 30 minutes. The Bosch filters only cost $12.99 for the pair at AutoZone - I picked up another pair for next time b/c they were so cheap.

pixrob

Well this project was much simpler than I would have thought.

Purchased the filters at O'Reillys brought them home and it was a 15 minute job and I had "help" from my 8 and 6 year old.

Here's the work in progress:


Here's what came out of the car. Yes - '99 and they were original....note the difference between these and the very white ones going in the car above.


Tools required - wire cutters, needle nose pliers and a phillips screw driver.

I won't be waiting this long again.

Rob in Nashvegas

saad12

How do you screw in the plastic cover that you had cut out using the Dremel.

Flounder

You turn it sideways & use the 2 screws that are already located there.

Look at the before pics of the cover & you'll see 2 screws to the right of that cover.

russian_in_TLS03

I did it myself and was amazed how simple, the dealer wanted $21.90 for a single filter (not a pair) plus $120 for labor. The dealer also told me that they do not offer this kind of service to customers due to the "complexity" quoting, however, when I looked at their service offering list, the change of the cabin filter rang at $70, but not sure if they include their $21.90 per filter part charge. Go figure...complexity