AC Troubleshooting Help

[otto.t4r]

The other day I needed to use my defog/defrost setting. Since then I haven't been able to switch back to body level air flow. Here's what happened when I click on each AC setting (starting at top going clockwise on dial):

defrost: full defrost vent
defrost + feet: defrost and feet vents
feet: defrost and feet vents
body + feet: full defrost vent
body: full defrost vent

There is no problem with the temperature or flow of the air, just problems with switching between settings. I need help figuring out what part to look at first. I think it may be the vent control servo or the actuator (are these the same thing??). Let me know what you think!


Note: I have no experience with car AC systems, but like to learn how to do things myself (cost driven choice). I do also have an OBD2 reader if you think this has to do with codes.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I've not had any problems with mine but I think you're right is saying it's the servo/actuator. I'll just take a guess and say they're operated by vacuum and there's a leak in a diaphragm and it's the one that switches from defrost to the front vents.

Just a guess, however.

 

[AuSeeker]

What controls the location of where the air comes out is the "Mode" actuator, not a servo, they're electric powered.

There are 3 actuators unless you have a Limited which has an additional "blend" actuator on the driver's side, on all models there's one for "mode", one for "Blend/temperature" and one for "Recirculation", all 3 are behind the glove box, 2 of them "1 mode" and 1 "blend" just right of the center console, 1 is lower and 1 up higher on the right side of the evaporator housing/box and a "Recirculation" actuator is to the far right on the side of the cabin air filter/fan housing.

Of the mode and the blend I don't remember which is the higher one or the lower one, but once you find them just either adjust the temperature or the vent selection and see which one is activated, one of them has a known issue with the plastic arm jumping out of the "track" which could possibly be the "mode" actuator and could be your issue from what you're saying it's doing and you may be able to get it back in place if you're careful not to break the plastic.

If the actuator motor portion was bad it would either be not work at all or be clicking or buzzing.

There's numerous topics on these actuators on how to replace them, etc., do a search of this forum section and you should find many of them.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Very good info, thanks. I learned something