how to check air mix door actuator - troubleshoot

[Tamara]

Hey... long time no see guys/gals.

Its Drifter420. I wasn't able to register for some darn reason ( no confirmation email )

So I"m going to steal Tamara's identity

I"m having issues with the A/C system. So Apparently I"ve been leaking Freon. So when I topped it back up ( the AC condensor kicks in ).

The line and canister gets cold.. but it barely feels cold in the vent. ( laser temp guns shows that too ). So I decided to put it to highest heat.. well.. it barely gets warm ( or not much warmer then ambient ). So I'm thinking I have a sticking air mix door.

Problem is I can't find the CD with the service manual. So I need some help in finding out how to get to and troubleshoot the air mix door

Its for a 97 SSEI with auto climate

[tpulliam79]

you have to pull the glove box assembly out and there will be a little hole behind it you can look through to see the metal arm of the air mix actuator. As you change the temp watch the arm and see if it moves smoothly or not if it moves smoothly back and forth with the change of temp then its probably ok if it is jerking or doesnt move at all its probably shot

[Tamara]

well.. I have the glove compartment out and I don't see any arm. just bunch of wires :sad5:

[tpulliam79]

should be the hole on the left you may have to try to push the wires out of the way but its back there

[willwren]

Hey, Hoser. Long time.

Look through the hole in the black steel dash bracing. Round hole. With a flashlight. You'll see the arm.

http://www.bonnevilleforum.com/showthre ... k+actuator

(I've since repaired this, and have honed my skills to sub-20-minute changes on the actuator.....tpulliam79 in this topic was my last victim)

[willwren]

Drifter, I activated your account. No email worries.

[drifter420]

Yay !!! Thanks for re activating my account crouching bill Wren; Drunken monkey

Ok.. the pics definitely helped.

So I an rule out its not the air door mix actuator.. it moves bout what seems like 2~ inches from hot to cold.


So either I have a clogged heat exchanger ( but I cleaned it bout 2-3 yrs ago.. and why would the canister and line get freezing cold if it was plugged? )

and or I need to get the system evacuated and re pump in with freon/dye


EDIT
WTF ?!?!?!?
I'm only an LE?? What happened to my certified bonneville nut :sad5:



Any other ideas? A sweaty Canadian is not a good scene

[drifter420]

Where's that link that use to be around bout cleaning the evaporatore core and whatever the heck that lil rad thing is? I"m lookin to see what cleaner I should use on it

[willwren]

Techinfo is still recovering.

Use carb cleaner or castrol SuperClean. Rinse CAREFULLY so it doesn't overflow into the passenger footwell.

FYI, I need to do the Zilla again after about 4 years since the last cleaning. Both cars, actually.

(read the sticky in the lounge or the NOTICE about post counts)

[drifter420]

Just wondering now after a lil more googling.

How would I know if the orifice/ expansion valve is gone?