04 L300 Sedan HVAC Stuck on Defrost

[carpfisher]

New to the Forum.
I located a thread in the VUE tech that recommended a HVAC RE-CALIBRATION by holding the A/C & Recirc 3x in 2 secs. No joy for my car.

Here is my data
HVAC Air flow is stuck in the defrost mode.
Rotating the selector to all other positions has no affect.
Fan speed varies with Selector positions
Temp varies as selector is rotated.

Car is old but only has 64K Miles. 25K of those have been in the past 2 years.
Dad didn't drive much.

Any help would be appreciated before I succumb to a trip to the dealer. Is is currently 13d and my feet were pretty cold driving tonight!
Thanks in advance.

Greg

[02 LW300]

There is a mode servo high on the passenger side of the hvac box. I will post a picture of the hvac box so you can see where it is. I have a couple cars apart and in the shed for spares.

[carpfisher]

perfect. I figured there was something like this. I have replaced this type of motor on my ford Flex. Looking forward to your follow up!

[pierrot]

I agree with 02 LW300, the mode actuator is at fault here. There is a cam attached to it and it can separate from it. Be sure to keep it intact for attachment to the replacement unit. The part is listed as NLA from OEM sources (see the parts breakdown pages below) so you'll need to pick one up from a wrecking yard. I did just that a couple of years ago to have spares available for both the mode and vent actuators. If memory serves correctly, you'll need to remove the glove box to have space to access the mode actuator for replacement. Be sure to let us know the results of this repair.

https://www.gmpartscenter.net/auto-p...omponents-scat

https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.c...category=19390

[02 LW300]

I took a couple photos but they willnot upload today. The drawings are pretty good. The mode motor is closest to the drivers compartment. The recirculate motor is next to the firewall.

[fdryer]

02 LW300, check file size to each image. If several megabytes each, they're too large for attachments as thumbnails. Resize each one, using your favorite image program, to around a megabyte or so and in jpeg format. I do this all the time when inserting images either from my camera or online sources. Attachments as thumbnails are supposed to be less than 150kb but I have attached jpeg images around a megabyte in size without rejection.

[pierrot]

It would appear that 02 LW300 and I are in disagreement about which mode actuator it is that carpfisher is needing. It depends upon which control unit is used in his car. The one mounted nearest the glove box is for a manual climate control, and the other at the driver side is used with an automatic climate control.

Example of a manual climate control unit
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SATURN-L-SE....c100677.m4598

Example of an automatic climate control unit.
https://www.ebay.com/p/01-05-Saturn-...78754438&rt=nc

[02 LW300]

I assumed he had manual air when he refered to turning two knobs for temp and mode.

[02 LW300]

83D285CC-7622-48C7-A6CC-9F328E3BDA9E.jpg

E8287749-FDF5-4CBD-94AE-BB07FEAB0BA8.jpgthanks for the photo help.

[carpfisher]

Wow, Thanks for the info Gents!
I do have a manual system. Using the exploded diagram Pierrot provided, it looks like I need part 002
ACTUATOR. AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) Control.
ACTUATOR,VENT VLV. Required: 01For: J (2000-2005) (2000 - 2005).
GM PN 22732652.

L2LW300. Your initial post seems to infer you have a couple of this in the garage. If so, are you willing to sell one?

[carpfisher]

Originally Posted by 02 LW300

Attachment 51979

Attachment 51980thanks for the photo help.

Where is the mode actuator in this picture? Does the whole unit need to be removed to do the replacement or is it accessible ?

[pierrot]

Originally Posted by carpfisher

...
I do have a manual system. Using the exploded diagram Pierrot provided, it looks like I need part 002
ACTUATOR. AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) Control.
ACTUATOR,VENT VLV. Required: 01For: J (2000-2005) (2000 - 2005).
GM PN 22732652...

Not so, carpfisher. Item #002 from the wholesalegmpartsonline website is the vent actuator. This actuator is operated by the recirculation switch on the manual climate control unit. The actuator you're concerned with is #006, p/n 22732653. In your car it will be located on the passenger side. It can be seen from below after removing the vent ducts and shining a flashlight straight up between the HVAC case and the glove box.

If you've not ever visited a self-serve wrecking yard like LKQ Pick-Your-Part, well, it could be useful in helping you practice how to do this job! When I purchased my "reserve" actuators I was charged about $5.00 each. (The price for small parts not listed on the price schedule.)

https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/locations/

You could also visit the website below and order one from a wrecking yard listed at there.

http://www.car-part.com/

Since your interior vent selector is stuck at the defrost location then any time you turn on the fan it will engage the air conditioning compressor. This is a default feature of the defroster setting.

[02 LW300]

This unit is serviceable in the car. I would take different length phillips screw drivers. You need to remove the complete glove box to gain access. I do not have any parts for sale.