Duel AC/heat problem
 

i have a 2000 sse equipped with dual AC/Heat. The problem is that the heat only blows hot on the drivers side. I only get cold air out of the upper dash outlets on the passengers side. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what the problem might be? thanx for any help.

The air mix chamber door is stuck.
Reach up under the drivers side / center console to feel for the door actuator. Some times you can hear it/feel it click trying to move over (this would be with the engine running and a demand for heat). Tap it a few times to free up the door.

i'll give it shot tomorrow and let you know how i make out. thanx a lot for your help!!!

rowlak... Do you mean an SSEi? j/k Welcome to the club sir!

Had the same problem - door mix actuator on the drivers side - replaced it at the dealer but cost $470 ! :shock:

Works great now !

- Carter

thanx for the input. i still haven't gotten around to finding the door you guys mentioned. i was wondering what it would cost to get it repaired by the dealer. looks like this is going to be another project i tackle on my own.

how anyone out there attempted this before? what all is entailed?

If you have trouble finding the air mix actuator for the passenger side, maybe this will help you.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/archon...e2.jpg&.src=ph

thanx for the pics. it does help. One quick question: can the actuator be accessed if i remove the glove compartment? if not, do you know the easiest way to get to it just in case i have to replace it? again, thanx for your help.

Deal HVAC problem
 

Archon: sorry, i was looking at the wrong actuaator. looks like the "air inlet actuaator" might be accessible from the glove box. But the "passenger air mix actuator" looks like its accessed from the driver's side (someone earlier had suggested that). I did a look today and couldn't locate it---i hope your picture will help. i will ask the same question as in my last reply: have you ever replaced one yourself? if you have, what all must be removed? if its under the dash, can the bottom dash panel be removed or must the whole center console be taken out? i have read other posts that seem to indicate the part is about $50, but labor at a dealer raises the overall cost to $300-$400. i would like to avoid that if i possibly can.

Sorry, I have not replaced mine so, I can't much help you there. The instructions that I have for removing it aren't very helpful, either. It says:

1. Remove the IP compartment.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the passenger air mix actuator.
3. Remove the passenger air mix actuator retaining screws.
4. Remove the passenger air mix actuator.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

1. Install the passenger air mix actuator. NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
2. Install the passenger air mix retaining screws. Tighten Tighten the fasteners to 1.4 N.m (12 lb in) .
3. Install the electrical connector to the passenger air mix actuator.
4. Install the IP compartment.

I don't know if the "IP compartment" they refer to is the glove box or not. The instructions for the drivers side is much more detailed, but from your post it sounds like you have a problem on the passenger side. You may want to try removing the passenger side hush panel then poke your head up there and see if you can view more. I haven't been in the passenger side dash area yet so, I don't know what may be accessible from there.

Glove box is on the wrong side for the actuator.

By 'IP' they mean instrument panel which includes the front half of the console, lower hush panel and front console trim.
This takes about 4 hours of shop time and why it cost carterb $470 to fix.

Sometimes however the door can get a little stuck (like mine) and all I do is wrap it with the handle of a screw driver and it works for a few more seasons.

I want to thank everyone for their help, especially Archon. I pulled the glove box and door. The actuator was right there. Pulled it and bench tested the unit. It wasn't working, although when i put 12v directly across the motor, it worked fine. My suspensions were that one of the components on the circuit board went bad. Purchased a new dealer part ($170.00 including tax), replaced it and everything works fine. Don't know what this would have cost at the dealer, but it was a matter of pulling a total of 9 screws. Took about 15min. to reinstall new part.

Again, thanx for all the help.

Great news! Glad to hear that you got it fixed, and now I'll know how to do it if mine goes out. ;)

I have this same problem. The drivers side is hot and the passenger and back is cold. So the problem would be the passenger air inlet actuator or the pass air mix actuator? Does anybody know the part #'s for either? The air inlet you said you went though the glove box, sounds easy. What if it is the air mix. How would I find this? And what would I have to remove. I called the dealer and the guy gave me a price for the air mix for $202. Someone said the part was $170 or $50. That why I need the part #'s. Any help from anybody would be great. Thanks.

I replaced the Passenger Side Air Mix Actuator. Part # 89018365, Price w/tax was $170.02. This was for a 2000 SLE.
Look up a couple of threads and there is a URL from Archon which will give you a picture of the two actuators for reference.
My suggestion would be: remove the glove box and door. The "Air Mix Actuator" is just inside the hole where the glove box was. Mine was held on by 2 screws. Remove the unit. The acutator slides over a shaft, so just pull it straight off. That shaft rotates the air mix door inside the HVAC box. Start the car, let it reach a temperature where the HVAC is operating and turn the shaft manaually. If the "air mix actuator" is the problem, you should start getting heat when you manually move the shaft.

Thanks. Will give it a try soon. Will let you know if it worked for me.

I had the same problem but on driver's side. Found and removed the actuator, opened it up, removed 3 little plastic wheels and moved the motor shaft with light hand pressure .. It wasn't moving at the begining but i managed to loosen it up..

After 5 min of work, i tested the motor by plugging the connector in and watched the motor extract the shaft that operates the air mix door..

Assembled everything and no more problems...