TorqFix

Removing and installing air distribution flap control motor V428 with potentiometer G645 — VW

Removing and installing air distribution flap control motor V428 with potentiometer G645 on VW: 12 steps.

Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.

12 steps

🧭 Before you start

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  • Check operation of flaps and hinge mechanism before fitting.Make sure levers and shafts are properly fitted in the mounts.
  • Rotate the receptacle in the control motor if the mount and actuating arm do not align.
  • If the bolts cannot be fitted, the control motor is not completely seated on the housing.
  • Rotate control motor until it reaches a convenient position for installation. The direction of rotation can be changed by changing polarities.

📋 Procedure

  1. Remove dash panel General body repairs, interior 70. Dash panel: Removing and installing dash panel.
  2. If fitted, remove entry and start authorisation control unit J518Electrical system 94. Entry and start authorisation system; Overview of fitting locations - entry and start authorisation system.
  3. Remove footwell vent on driver side (see the separate procedure).
  4. Unscrew bolts (arrows). [Note: The bolts are accessible from underneath behind the central tube. Use a magnetic screwdriver to unscrew the bolts or have a second mechanic hold a magnet over the bolt. If the bolt drops out it will fall out of reach into the duct trough.]
  5. Pull off air distribution flap control motor V428(4) and remove it.
VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Disconnect electrical connector (1). [Note: Check operation of flaps and hinge mechanism before fitting. Make sure levers and shafts are properly fitted in the mounts.]
  2. The mounting of control motor (1) can only be fitted on actuating arm (2) in one particular position. [Note: Rotate the receptacle in the control motor if the mount and actuating arm do not align.]
  3. Switch on ignition, connect respective control motor to vehicle wiring harness and select a setting on operating and display unit to set control motor to desired position (e.g. mid-position). Wait until control motor has moved to desired position and switch off ignition.
  4. Fit control motor on air intake box. The actuating arm (2) must engage in mounting (1) while doing so. [Note: If the bolts cannot be fitted, the control motor is not completely seated on the housing.]
  5. Route wiring harness so that it cannot come into contact with any moving parts (e.g. actuating arm on control motor). [Note: Rotate control motor until it reaches a convenient position for installation. The direction of rotation can be changed by changing polarities.]
  6. Read event memory and erase any entries displayed. Then perform "“basic setting”" in "“Guided fault-finding”" mode.
  7. As a final step, check operation of heater and air conditioning system.

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.