Today my digital camera's SD memory card slid into my 2009 HHR's windshield defroster vent.
I can see it looking straight down into the vent through the windshield from outside the car with my flashlight. It is about a foot down in.
Any suggestions about how I can retrieve it?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Dave in Ithaca

 

Since you can see it, I would suggest putting a small ball of tape on one of those telescoping magnets or something like that. Stick it and retrieve. No actual experience, but something like that should work.

 

A piece of 2 sided tape stuck on the end of a skinny stick. If you can see it, you should be able to snag it.

 

Thanks for your reply. The defroster vent is right down there along the angled bottom edge of the windshield, making the reach a very sharp dog leg. So I dunno!

Also, there is a triple-slotted vent grill in the way. Does anyone know if that grill pops out?.

Can I take apart the the dashboard to get in there?

Dave

 

Thanks. Unfortunately I can only see it while looking in from outside the car through the windshield. That's the only way to get a straight view down the vent. The angle is too steep from inside the car. This is the long, narrow vent for defrosting the windshield along the base of the windshield atop the dashboard.

 

If you have to make some bends, then a piece of wire that can be bent as you snake it down to the card.
Something like that I would use a piece of 14 gauge cooper electrical wire. Solid AC wire, not stranded stuff. You stated you can see it, so you should be able to reach it.

 

Thanks. I will give that a try! It would be easier too if I could pop out the three-slotted grill. Even if I snag the card, I doubt I can maneuver the wire to pass through those narrow grill slots with the card attached.

 

The entire waterfall comes of if you put your fingers in the vents and yank. Held on with spring clips.

 

Thanks. And if I just ignore and forget about it, and the SD card slides further in, could it possibly foul anything else?

 

If you choose to retrieve it, please do NOT use anything magnetic!
Media storage cards ARE magnetic devices and you have a fair chance of destroying whatever is on there.