My car blows hot air on the D-side constantly. The P-side temperature functions fine (dual climate system). I poked around and determined the D-side temperature actuator was unresponsive, and had seized in the hot position. Since I can't afford the $300+ part (thank you GM for the price increase after your bailout) I wanted to see if I could just set it in the cold position for now (I live in Florida and we only have 2 seasons). When I manually rotate the shaft for the blend door, I get cool air on the driver side, but not nearly as cold as the P-side. Is there something I am missing? This is a 2000 SE.

-Shawn

I found an actuator from rockauto and installed it. It seems to rotate the door over the full range, but there is still no cold air on the driver side. What else could have failed in there?

If you installed a a new actuator and its still not blowing cold air from the drivers side i would think that either one of the doors is stuck or its possible it has a leak somewhere in there where not enough cold air is making through the ventilation system on the drivers side. try this since you already installed the actuator Turn the car off and Remove the battery positive voltage circuit fuse of the Instrument Panel Control Module. The fuse is labeled hvac batt and is located in the rear fuse block. The module memory wont clear if the battery positive voltage circuit fuse is installed in under 60 seconds. so wait for 60 seconds(basically a minute)and Install the fuse. after that the actuators should go through a recalibration process it is possible they didnt get callibrated right so its worth a try. if that doesnt work you need scan device to diagnose it properly to see what exactly is going on thats causing it not to throw colder air to the D-side.

Problem turned out to be an easy fix - more refrigerant. If the system is low, apparently the Pside will use the entire cooling capacity of the system.

Thanks for sharing your findings.