How to remove the Cowl and Vent Grills?

LAURI LINDSCHMIDT

MEMBER
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA
225,000 MILES

My vehicle listed above (convertible) was parked at a friend's farm for about a year. It now stinks of mice, especially when I use the climate control (heat/AC). Where can I find diagrams showing how to remove the cowling (near the wiper blades?) And the vent grills so that I can look for and remove mice nests/mess.

Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 1:18 PM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

Before you remove the cowl, have you checked the cabin air filter? This is one of the places mice love to make nests. Plus, if it is worse when you use the climate control, this is my first suspect. It is located on the interior of the vehicle behind the glove box.

I attached the directions for replacing it below. See the first three pics below.

Next, the cowl isn't listed in the manual. So, I had to go to replacing the wiper motor to get the directions. The remaining pics explain how to remove it. Note: The wiper arms need to be removed. There is a cover over the nut holding them in place. They may be difficult to remove by hand. You may need to get a wiper arm puller for removal. See the remaining pictures.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)