2012 Honda Civic EX

This just seemed to start ...but not sure when it started since most of the summer I've had the A/C running I noticed today that when the A/C is off, barely any air blows thru the vents. But, if the A/C is on it blows fine.

The blower motor runs with AC off...and you can here it get louder as you move it up....but very little air comes out of the left most vent (by your left hand) and virtually zero from the vent by your right hand. Changing the controls from face, to legs etc doesn't seem to make much if any difference.

Then...if I turn the A/C after a second or so, cold air starts cranking out the vents like I'd expect. Turn the A/C off, then the air flow dies again.

I did check the cabin air filter and it's not that for sure.

The A/C runs well (gets cold). I had that worked on earlier in the Spring (new compressor).

Just now...figured out the air is coming out the side defrost vents (by the mirror) and the front defrost vent no matter what button is hit...again, unless the A/C is on (then all the buttons work normally).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks!

 

Cabin air filter clogged? I'm guessing with AC on it's on recirculate and grabs air from the passenger foot well and with it off it's opening up to outside air and none can get in? It's a theory, never been in a 2012.