Oldsmobile When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

1997 Olds 88 HVAC/Vacuum question

Old Apr 7, 2020 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
Kmcbride's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Canton Georgia
Kmcbride is on a distinguished road
Default 1997 Olds 88 HVAC/Vacuum question

I know that vacuum controls where the air is directed as far as the defrost, or vents, or floor correct? I don’t know how the system works but here’* what’* happening. When I give the car gas to accelerate, the a/c starts blowing out of the floor vents, when I let off the gas or reach a speed where I’m not pushing the pedal very much, it returns to blowing out the vents on the dash. What’* causing this and what do I do to fix it? Thank you for any help!
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 10:24 PM
  #2  
carfixer007's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1,597
From: Flint, MI USA
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Which engine N/A or */C? Either way you are losing vacuum under load. You could plumb in a vacuum reservoir to help during high load conditions. I thought maybe you had one but it don't. I thought maybe the tank cracked. Other places you can lose vacuum are in any of the lines, brake booster or even the controller/actuators etc.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 11:04 PM
  #3  
CathedralCub's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 1,004
From: Earth
CathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to behold
Default

Check for vacuum leaks, and for vacuum check valves that may have gone bad.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 11:27 PM
  #4  
Kmcbride's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Canton Georgia
Kmcbride is on a distinguished road
Default It is a N/A 3800

I guess I just have to search around everywhere to find a leak huh?
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2020 | 11:57 PM
  #5  
CathedralCub's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 1,004
From: Earth
CathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to behold
Default

Look/listen for hissing while it is idling. You can smoke test it too, but that'* more involved. I've found some crazy vacuum leaks just by tracing and looking for stuff that'* out of place, cracked, and disconnected.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 01:41 AM
  #6  
Kmcbride's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Canton Georgia
Kmcbride is on a distinguished road
Default Is it possible that the leak may be in the car, like behind the control panel

For the hvac or is there any vacuum lines in the car at all? It has manual controls by the way, not digital climate control
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 01:58 AM
  #7  
WilliamE's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 589
From: VA
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I am not familiar with your system, but it should be vacuum controlled, with vacuum control valves, blend door actuators, etc...
Most likely the controls at the head unit have a hose going through the firewall to connect to a vacuum source under the hood, I am not sure how to find it without your cars service manual..
But you are on the right track, the issue is most likely vacuum related.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 02:04 AM
  #8  
WilliamE's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 589
From: VA
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

If you cannot find where your vac lines run, and inspect for any leaks, if possible inspect the actuators that open and close the vents, the arms on them are known to break...
The one that controls the front vents is located directly above the gas pedal, straight up towards the windshield. Its a pain to get your head under to see it, but I would check this.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 10:04 AM
  #9  
carfixer007's Avatar
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1,597
From: Flint, MI USA
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Looks like the 88 only had the N/A engine. Plumb a tank into it.


Last edited by carfixer007; Apr 8, 2020 at 10:06 AM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Big
Oldsmobile
4
Mar 1, 2015 05:43 PM
Saturn Simon
1987-1991
5
May 21, 2006 02:43 AM
JCurtis
1992-1999
15
Jul 8, 2005 10:57 AM
nathan
Everything Electrical & Electronic
11
Feb 2, 2005 07:00 PM
brminder
1992-1999
7
Jun 1, 2003 12:06 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:10 AM.