[Nate2023]

Hi there. Thanks to a combination of being a klutz and an idiot, I fumbled a flash drive under my 2022 Malibu driver seat and then, while groping to retrieve it, managed to lose it in the under-driver-seat air duct. (I didn't even know those things were there. I just moved to the Malibu from a 2013 Impala, which has fewer meerkat holes under the seat apparently.) My desk ruler is telling me that this network of vent goes at least 10" back and then who knows how much farther. I feel like Indiana Jones trying to reach for the grail in Last Crusade.

Anyway. I can live without it, but would obviously rather not. Is it still somewhere in the car? If so, is it retrievable? If so, can I access it myself? Or find a pro?

Thank you for any advice. I feel clueless.

 

[campb292]

That is definitely a crud. If this were mine I would try a wire hanger if you can find one. It's bendable and you can make a hook out of it. Start up and pull down to not push it back further. The duct runs under the carpet and has a dip about 12" back. Unfortunately for this case, flash drives aren't magnetic. My problem wouldn't be the contents it would be the chance of it rattling!

Another idea - if you have a shop vac or any strong vacuum with a narrow attachment stick that in there and see if it can suck it out. Try and seal the opening with your hand to create maximum suction. Maybe even turn the car on with floor blower on max. I'm not sure if floor vents change the flow to those under seat vents but maybe!

 

[repairman54]

Set the heater to floor before using a vacuum so you get max airflow through the duct from the dash side.

 

[cp-the-nerd]

@campb292 before reading your comment, I got out my magnet wand and tested two flash drives. Both were highly magnetic on the usb connector side.

@Nate2023 if you have a strong magnet attached to something with reach, you might be able to fish the drive out as long as the magnet doesn't find something else in the duct to attract itself to.

 

[campb292]

@cp-the-nerd I tested a bunch of my flash drives - samsung, kingston, sandisk, not one of them were. Which brand are you using?

By all means that is also worth a try if you have a magnetic one!

 

[cp-the-nerd]

@cp-the-nerd I tested a bunch of my flash drives - samsung, kingston, sandisk, not one of them were. Which brand are you using?

By all means that is also worth a try if you have a magnetic one!

Both drives were sandisk. One is an old 2 gb keychain with slide-out connector, the other is a 16 gb compact nub that I use in my SS. 🤷‍♂️