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Old 08-25-2011, 02:00 AM
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Default Air Conditioning problem

So it looks like my car hates me.. Monday was one of the hottest days of the summer here, and my a/c decided it wasn't going to work. It will only blow warm air. Even with the a/c off, and just the normal temperature set on cold, it will only blow warm air. I'm taking my car to get a check up tomorrow, but I don't really want to over pay for something that could be done quick and cheap. Is there anything that I can do or check? The condenser does cut in, so I don't know if the refrigerant leaked out or what..

Thanks in advance guys.
Old 08-25-2011, 12:34 PM
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Sounds like the blend door is not functioning, allowing hot air from the heater core into the mix with the the A/C or the outside air. Could be stuck. Could be a bad actuator.
Old 08-25-2011, 01:44 PM
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I second that notion. This thread may be of some help: https://www.gmforum.com/1992-1999-91/ecc-blinking-air-mix-actuator-fixed-installation-pics-274213/
Old 08-25-2011, 03:36 PM
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My 98 Buick Century is blowing hot air on passenger side and cold on drivers side. Settings are set to cold air. I tried adding more R134a, but it would not take any more. Can anyone help?
Can someone post an exploded view of the system, or component locations, etc... Any help would be greatly apreciated.
Old 08-25-2011, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 2kg4u
Sounds like the blend door is not functioning, allowing hot air from the heater core into the mix with the the A/C or the outside air. Could be stuck. Could be a bad actuator.
Originally Posted by ymmot04
I second that notion. This thread may be of some help: https://www.gmforum.com/showthread.php?t=274213
Thanks guys. So I would assume its in the same general location as in that link? I'll have to take a look tomorrow, if I can. I really hope its just stuck, if thats the problem.. It just randomly started doing this..it was fine a couple days before, and it doesn't make any strange noises..
Old 08-25-2011, 10:25 PM
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If the blend too is stuck, how do I get to it? Where is that actuator located? What is the correct name so I can ask for it at the parts store? Is there an exploded view or step by step instruction?
Old 08-26-2011, 01:47 AM
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Take a look at the thread ymmot posted, if you haven't already. That should give you the general location. As for the part name, I would guess its called an a/c actuator? I can try to take some pictures if I attempt to fix mine tomorrow.
Old 08-26-2011, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 2k2cse
Take a look at the thread ymmot posted, if you haven't already. That should give you the general location. As for the part name, I would guess its called an a/c actuator? I can try to take some pictures if I attempt to fix mine tomorrow.
Thanks a lot for replying for what some people would consider stupid questions, but even though I have plenty mechanical experience, I am totally clueless when it comes to AC'* and automatic transmissions. Specially on this type of AC'* (climate control) that is a little different from the conventional AC'*. (or so I've been told). I know pictures will help a great deal.
I have not seen YMMOT'* posting, I am new to this forum system and am still learning how to navigate and find stuff in it. Please bear with me while I learn. Thanks.
Old 08-26-2011, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Waldy
Thanks a lot for replying for what some people would consider stupid questions, but even though I have plenty mechanical experience, I am totally clueless when it comes to AC'* and automatic transmissions. Specially on this type of AC'* (climate control) that is a little different from the conventional AC'*. (or so I've been told). I know pictures will help a great deal.
I have not seen YMMOT'* posting, I am new to this forum system and am still learning how to navigate and find stuff in it. Please bear with me while I learn. Thanks.
There are no stupid questions when you try to learn something I'm quite unfamiliar with working on a/c systems too, so this is a learning experience for me as well. This is the link ymmot posted: https://www.gmforum.com/showthread.php?t=274213 It seems like a similar problem to yours. I would assume that essentially, everything is similar between the car in the link, and our Centuries. I didn't get to do anything with it today.. I'm going out of town for the weekend tomorrow and I had some things to take care of, so I'll dig into this on Monday hopefully.
Old 08-26-2011, 11:23 PM
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Okay, so I did manage to take a look at it today after. It appears that the actuator is working properly. I took this video..
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhAbDRMc4Fw[/YT]

I never realized how hard it is to record a video while holding my phone (camera) and a flashlight, while working the controls. lol

So could my problem be something as simple as refrigerant leaked out and it needing to be recharged? From what I could see, everything looked like it was working properly..

Waldy: Its not really that hard to get at. Its behind the glove box. You need to remoe the carpet cover on the bottom part of the dash. There are 3 christmas tree style clips keeping it up. Once you take them off, you can remove the panel after disconnecting the footwell light. You should be able to look up through and see a small orange going to a black plastic cylinder. I assume this is the a/c actuator. Here are some pictures I took of mine.

Here is the whole assembly



and this is a little closer view of where the hose connects.

Attached Thumbnails Air Conditioning problem-0826011626a.jpg   Air Conditioning problem-0826011629.jpg  


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