a/c probems

[alexcoqui]

My compressor dyed, & it made some terrible grinding noises when it happened. The compressor & dryer got replaced, & the mechanic told me he had to flush the sistem twice. I got the car & in about a day or two the drivers side wasnt blowing cold air, but the pasanger side was. I took the car back, more gas got added to the system & the mechanic told me that there where no visible leaks on the engine bay, so if it happened again that he would have to start tearing in to my dash. & to be honest this scares the crap out of me.
the air is starting to get warm again & I would like to know if there is something I should look for before I let this guy start taking my dash apart.

[Archon]

If the system is not losing refrigerant, the most likely cause is the driver's side air mix actuator, which is up under the dash.

[harofreak00]

Ya, sounds like an airmix actuator problem to me.

[alexcoqui]

& how hard is it to get to the acutator?

[harofreak00]

Not easy. The airbox is directly behind the dash. It also depends what actuator it is... there are 4.

[Archon]

Using Haro's picture, the arrow points to the driver's side airmix actuator. The other one is the mode actuator.

[The extension jpg has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

[WhiteArrow3800]

I'm a little uneasy going behind my dash too. I have the same problem, except mine doesn't blow heat and it's getting cold up here...lol

If anyone has any sort or write up or tips for getting to it at all I'd love to read/see it
Otherwise I plan to do my best at a write up when I replace my actuators, Taking off work on Wednesday to have a go at it.

[Archon]

Remove the lower shield, and the knee bolster under the steering column. Laying on your back, and looking up toward the center of the dash, you should be able to see the actuators. The instructions say to remove the instrument panel module, but you may be able to work around that without removing it. Remove the electrical connection, and the two screws holding the actuator.

[spoiledred94]

Alex, SSei, did you get anywhere trying to reach w/o taking of or out the dash panel?

I've got the same problem, although like 93-SSei I am not getting fully hot air out of any of the vents on the driver's side, the passenger side is fine. (so i guess I can't ask my rider to pay for it

[alexcoqui]

Its been crazy around here, so I havnt had the time. But looking at the pictures, it dont look that hard. If you do let me know how it goes.

[spoiledred94]

Well as universal given my 94 SE is "unique"

I checked all the vac fittings in the engine compartment. I found an HVAC one I didn't know about before, but it was good too.

Took out the dash panel moulding around the controls and over the ducts. Couldn't see much. My HVAC control knob panel is different than any I aw or have seen pics of. I looked all over for vac lines on the Vent selector knob. I could not find them until I thoughtt those big heavy colored wires were overkill for a few actuators. I pinched them and sire enough they proved to be vac lines. I traced them to up under the driver's dash close to the middle of the car. Getting in there was tough. I had Linda adjust the selectors with the engine running. They all seemed fine. All the vac lines were accounted for and good except one purple one that ran to the other side (passenger side) of the dash up next to the heater core box. I assume it controls something other than the drivers vents so I didn't look at it. I'll double check that before I put it back together. And I should say I don't really know why there is a drvr-psngr vent selector as I don't have independent control of that when it did work right. Also, if you read my thread on this topic I DON'T have any difference in flow from top to bottom for All AC and Heat. Only variation is left to right and the left (driver) side is less flow and less hot (for heater) and Less flow and less cold for AC. I'm gonna put it back to gether pretty quick, so let me know,

Kris


It occurs to me now I may be seen as hijacking a thread. Wasn't the intent. I'll keep following this thread.

[cpilkington]

I ran into a similar problem today. This morning while driving to work I had no temp control (only HOT) on driver's side while passengers had normal temp control. Crawling under the dash, while simultaneously moving temp controls (driver and passenger side) I could see that the driver's air-mix actuator would not move while the passenger's moved correctly. In the interim I've disconnected the driver's side actuator electronics connector and manually turned the actuator to the cold position. I tried to remove the actuator with the dash in place and there is just no room to get a 1/4" drive socket up there. Later this summer I plan on some interior repairs so that would be a good time to pull the center console and dash out to replace the actuator.

[cpilkington]

I found there is a control module next to the driver blend door actuator. I removed it and was able to replace the failed actuator.

[spoiledred94]

I hope that works.

[BrianR]

I am needing to replace the actuator door but I can't see how to remove the control module so that I can access it. Any tips?