Can anyone help with my HVAC problems ?

[333-Fitter]

Hello, I have a '98 SLE and the the actual temp coming out of the vents doesn't turn down (Still has hot air coming out of the vents from the winter) even though the A/C comp. is on and the temp on the display is down to 60.

Also the air won't change from def. or floor to the dash vents.
Any help is surely appreciated.Thanks ,,,,,Doug

[nicklikesmilk]

There is a problem with the airmix door actuator (probably), it is a common problem with these vehicles.

For the 2nd problem, having it only aim at windshield and floor, I found in my bonneville that this was caused by a vacuum leak. The doors that open and close are controlled by the engine's vacuum, and one of my fittings was broken. There will be a hose from the back of the intake manifold connecting to the brake unit, a large thick hose. On top of the connector on the Intake manifold will be a tiny hose. (I might try to find a picture, this is kind of hard to describe). Anyway, that was the culprit in my case. Hope this helps

[333-Fitter]

Thanks, yea a friend of mine came over and he/we determined that is was the temp. actuator and that is right behind the glovebox.
Is it hard to disable the air bag and replace this actuator ?

I'll look in the next day or two for the vacuum leak you describe.

[willwren]

You don't disable the airbag. You remove the hush panel above the footwell, and do it blind from below. The first time will take you about 4 hours and pain. It gets easier from there. I can do them in 20 minutes now.

[myfirstbonnie]

I witnessed this and there is a picture of him upside down in Tyler's car somewhere.

[1oldman]

You don't disable the airbag. You remove the hush panel above the footwell, and do it blind from below. The first time will take you about 4 hours and pain. It gets easier from there. I can do them in 20 minutes now.

If that's true of a car with Automatic Climate Control and dual air bags, I'd like to know the tricks as pulling the dash to get the the air mix door actuator is getting to be a bit much for me. - BC

[willwren]

Adjust the RF passenger seat all the way back and fully lower and recline it. Remove the hush panel. Reach up underneath and work blind while you recline head-down in the RF passenger footwell with your feet over the headrest.

That's the trick.

[1oldman]

Adjust the RF passenger seat all the way back and fully lower and recline it. Remove the hush panel. Reach up underneath and work blind while you recline head-down in the RF passenger footwell with your feet over the headrest.

That's the trick.

contortionist!!! lol! I would probably never walk again if I even attempted to get in that position.

Thanks for the tip any way. I will definitely pass it on. - BC

[333-Fitter]

so the actuator is mounted near the center of the dash ?
I see the cable thru the glovebox (after pulling the liner)

[willwren]

You don't see a cable. You see the rod, which is part of the actuator. My instructions above will cause you pain and success.

[333-Fitter]

O.k. I see the rod but looking up like you say is don't see hardly any clearance to get my hands up & in to reach & remove it.
Almost seems like it would be easier to cut the brace behind the glovebox liner.
if you have anymore detailed tips or instructions I'm all ears or
I live in Mt. Pleasant Mi anyone want to make some extra $$$$

[willwren]

333, please don't use private messaging for help. It prevents the help from being posted publicly for everyone's benefit.

What you have to do is what everyone does when this happens. Follow the instructions I posted above and dig in. Do NOT cut that brace. It's a critical structural component of such importance, that if you removed it your insurance may deny any personal injury claims in an accident. It would take you as long to cut it out and bolt it back as it would to simply do the job the way I described.

Don't write it off until you try. Stick your arm up there and feel around while you're reclining upside-down with a fully retracted and reclined seat.

[333-Fitter]

o.K.
Does the actuator mount inside the air box with only the rod sticking through the top ?

[Virginia]

My car is not cooling either. A/C compressor is running and fully charged and line is cold aand sweating. Air moves properly from heat to cool to defrost etc inside passenger area. the problem is that the are is hot. It is like air is passing through heat instead of cold coil. When I turned a/c off and back on it worked for a while but now that trick wont work and blower only blows hot air. any ideas?

[333-Fitter]

Sounds like the same problem I'm having.

[willwren]

Virginia, can you start your own topic so we don't get these two problems confused?

333, correct. You're working with fingertips. You may need the little thumb-ratchets to put your socket/bit on.

[willwren]

o.K.
Does the actuator mount inside the air box with only the rod sticking through the top ?

No. It mounts outside. Please, just take the time to attempt the job exactly as described. If the actuator replacement required further disassembly, we would clearly describe that. You can best prepare YOURSELF for the task by simply going out there and trying it.