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A/C Recirculate door actuator or control head?

B

bobbiemartin

Author of The DB2 Conversion Guide
Messages
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Location
Jacksonville, Florida
I've got the air conditioning charged up on the Suburban (1995), but its not as cold as it should be. After doing some checking, the recirculate door is stuck on outside air. And it has been 90 degrees here, so you really need recirc to get the air cool.

There are three wires going to the motor, one is ground, one is 12v+ (when key on) and one called Recirc Door Input. The ground and power are working, but I can't tell any difference when the recirc button on the control head is pressed, although I really don't know how or what type of signal is used to move the door. I know these control heads have problems and I replaced it a while back for another problem, but it didn't help. I saved the old one and both operate the blend door and everything else properly, but neither operate the recirculate door. I suppose its possible they both have the same issue, but I'm leaning towards thinking the door actuator is bad. It looks like changing the actuator motor that drives the door is a real pain.

Anyone know how to troubleshoot the motor/control unit to figure out which is bad? Any tips on changing the recirc door actuator? Just to clarify, this is the flap right behind the blower motor, not the one that controls the heat/dash/defrost vents. That one works fine.
 
There is a service bulletin about being the wrong actuator. Incorrect actuator part number on tag is 16163982. The correct number should be 16167292. It says the recirculate will remain on the outside position even if operator chooses recirculate. I wish I could just copy and paste it for you but All-Data won't let me highlite and paste.
 
Step by step with pics on Dash removal, would be a GREAT thing.....Boy, maybe someone that has done that job more than once......and has to do it again, OH Sorry just thinking out loud....

Hint, Hint..
 
bobbiemartin said:
Yes, 1995 had their own control head. I think I have it narrowed down to the actuator door motor. Looks like the dash may need to come out to replace.
Click to expand...

I had a problem with mine (1995) a while back and it was the control head failed. It would cause the a gate to move to direct air flow to floor no matter where the setting was, the A/C compressor would not engage and something else weird (can't remember) all started acting up at the same time and the control head was the problem. Price not bad and easy to change, don't rule it out as they do fail. Good luck
 
I've been through this with my 95 before and it was the control head. I could turn the temp setting about a 1/2" warmer and turn it to the floor and it would go to recirc. Put in another control head from GM and it wouldn't go to inside air either. My 4th one has been in for a few years now. I posted in here awhile back for a fix for the no inside air problem on later control heads, but I don't know if it will work on the 95's as it is a one year red headed stepchild.
 
Did you ever change the blower motor out with the burnt wires going to it?
 
Let me tell you, replacing the actuator is a horrible job. I cannot believe they designed something like this. With a small amount of reworking, this could have been a 15 minute job. In any event, if you have to do this, I feel sorry for you.
 
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