Info about air-mix acuator

[TDS-94SSEi]

Hey All,

Pretty sure that I've narrowed the problem down to a bad air-mix actuator. Hot air all of the time, first happened when wanting to run the A/C.

So I went thru fall without using the air, just relying on the windows and sunroof for cooling. Now that cold weather is approaching, I'm wondering if anyone has lived with a bad actator for a while? Can I continue to use the heat and defrost even though this part is malfunctioning/broken? Or would that likely cause some other problems?

Money is tight now, especially since I just had to put a new radiator in the car recently. And to be honest, the thought of goin in after this part kind of intimidates me, thinking maybe I should just pay the shop to do this one. . . .

If you have experience with this part failing, I'd like to hear what you learned about it. Thanks!

[sonoma_zr2]

you can leave it, it won't hurt anything.

[lash]

When you do decide to fix it there are a number of folks who have worked out the fix pretty well and can help you get it done for little cash, just a lot of work and swearing.

There is a "redneck fix" that is low to no cost.

There is a great write up for the complete fix here:
http://www.trialsnuts.com/ecc.pdf

Also, there are many here that have taken this on and have threads on it. If you want more reading than the above lead you to, just search on "air mix actuator" and you'll see what I mean.

Here's another write-up:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 37&start=0

Hope this helps.

[Vas62]

As previous poster said you can use redneck fix for a while.
When my actuator failed I was using that cheap fix for a while .
Later decided to fix it myself.
It was great pain in the neck to remove it and even bigger to install. But I did it.
I didn't even put new actuator ,just fixed plastic gear with epoxy (it was cracked and skip turning) on the old one and put it back.
It's been almost two years and it works great.

[Need For Steve]

i haven't been getting hot air for a while, and after checking the actuator, that looks like it's fine. hmmm...

[TDS-94SSEi]

Yeah, I found that my car seems to be in the same boat now. When I WANT it to blow out some warm air, it didn't the other morning. I need to mess with it again when I have a little more time, not on my way to work. But the temp gauge showed I was up to operating temp, and the system was blowing cool air.

i was all excited to get the warm air that I suffered thru earlier this year, but no. . . .

I swear, this car really hates us sometimes. . . . :(

[vassei]

OK Gentlemen

I have my new air acuator in hand. I removed the glove box, hush panel, and door. I can see the arm of my acuator though a hole in a steel bracket. It looks like the bracket is held by 5 10mm bolts. Can I remove this bracket to get to the acuator. How do I get around this bracket. In the links from the previous posts, there is no mention of this bracket.

[vassei]

Never mind. When I learn to read, I'll be dangerous. Followed the above posts and just finished. Dead on with the write up on the process.

[TDS-94SSEi]

So there weren't any hidden snags or anything beyond the techinfo article? That's good to know. I haven't really had the time or mind-set to get after mine YET, but hearing that you were able to do it without extra trouble is encouraging. I had almost begun to psyche myself out of trying to fix this part.

[TDS-94SSEi]

So there weren't any hidden snags or anything beyond the techinfo article? That's good to know. I haven't really had the time or mind-set to get after mine YET, but hearing that you were able to do it without extra trouble is encouraging. I had almost begun to psyche myself out of trying to fix this part.