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So my AC didn't want to blow strong air
through the center and side vents. The fresh air blows and the heat
blows, but no AC. I hopped on the highway and played around with it
and the AC started blowing again. It worked until I turned the car off
and restarted it. I've had everything else [except the compressor]
replaced in the AC system under warranty. The compressor was kicking
on, idle goes up and you can feel just the slightest amount of cold
air trying to come out. Almost like there is blockage.
Well after investigating and looking
at all the dampers that control the air flow, I found that the cabin
damper on the driver side footwell was not opening and closing
properly and this is what was blocking the airflow. Before going
and buying a new actuator I figured I'd research the problem first, so
I started disassembling to find a solution.
Parts:
- None - yeah, just a little time
and I was good to go....read on and you'll see.
Tools:
- Phillips head screwdriver
Enjoy, and remember ALWAYS work safe and I assume NO
RESPONSIBILITY for your actions, mechanical abilities or
anything that may occur during the nature of the repairs.
Disclaimer: Not for
distribution, redistribution, sale, re-sale or otherwise without my
written consent. This information is presented with no liability or
guarantee expressed or implied, work at your own risk.
Copyright © Magnum / Magnum1.com 2003-2008. |
First things first, if you open the hood
the hood you can push open the black flaps and get a vantage point of
what dampers are opening and closing. You'll need a helper to
flip the AC on and off while you look. Be careful though of body
parts, loose clothing and the like if you have the engine running!
This is looking down the flaps under
the hood. #1 is the fresh air / heat & #2 is the AC / Re-Circulating
Air damper:
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I started with the passenger side
footwell because it is the easiest to get at. I use a stick to
hold the glove box up: |
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I started with the passenger side first,
easy access, and found that the cabin damper near the reciculating
filters was not opening. This thing almost wouldn't budge, but I
pushed on it a little to open it a crack and I started getting cold AC
air from the vents:
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A visual inspection of the passenger
side did not turn up any problems that I could see. So I moved over to
the driver side. Simply take the cover above the gas and brake pedal
off. I was quite surprised when I took off the duct work piece
to find the plug that plugs into the actuator on the drivers side
hardly connected. Easy enough, I'll plug it back in, well that
didn't work: |
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So I took the actuator out, simply
remove these 3 screws: |
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Removed:
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And what do I find? An actuator that has
a damaged plug. Take a look at this pic. I was able to get it
"repaired" and will probably put a new one in when I'm due
recirculation filters again:
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After I put the actuator back in, bammmm
both cabin dampers started open and closing. Here a pic of the
passenger side one right behind the recirculation filter. FYI, #1 is
the fresh air / heat damper and #2 is the AC / Re-Circulating Air
Dampers:
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Here are some miscellaneous photos I
took along the way. Actuator
Pics: |
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Actuator, different view:
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Actuator again, the arrow points to
where the plug goes in: |
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And as a side note, while I was there
and had this stuff apart I changed the cabin filters. You can
buy these at the dealer or get standard filter at a hardware store and
cut to fit. I double up the material and cut to fit: |
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Trace it out: |
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Install in the filter cartridge and
re-install in the car:
TOP
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Disclaimer: Not for
distribution, redistribution, sale, re-sale or otherwise without my
written consent. This information is presented with no liability or
guarantee expressed or implied, work at your own risk.
Copyright © Magnum / Magnum1.com 2003-2008. |
|