climate control problem

[randy merritt]

OK, I searched for quite a while, but found no answer to my problem. My fan is blowing mostly through the heater vent on all settings (a/c, heat, defrost). Verified all vacuum lines are ok. I removed the heater floor diffuser, and it seems the air diverter door, that controls where the air blows out of, has become unhooked from the vacuum actuator. I did retrieve a small clip from the actuator push/pull rod, but it is impossible to get under there and take a look. My question: does anyone have a diagram or picture or instructions of what the diverter door to actuator connection should look like? I can not figure out how to hook this back up. I also have no idea why it became unhooked. I do not know if something is broke, because I can not get my eye on it. Thanks in advance.

[DaveP]

Randy:
I JUST went through this on DesertSy. But I didn't take pics. Damn.

Take a mirror and look up there on the drivers side at where the dash-pot arm comes in. It's a threaded rod, that has a white plastic bushing that presses into the arm on the door. In DesertSy, this plastic bushing had disintegrated, and was gone. That was the problem. The metal u-shaped clip that you found holds this plastic busing over the threaded rod. The GM P/N for the white bushing is 52455693. There were no Google hits.

I took the IP out, to get the housing out, to fix this. I think I could get it fixed with the thing in place, now knowing how it goes together. But it would NOT be easy, or fun. At least remove the center console for some extra working room.

I'll go out and see if I can get a pic using a mirror. Check back later, and see if I added a pic.
DaveP

[randy merritt]

Thanks Dave. Somehow I knew if anyone could help, it would be you. My white plastic bushing must have also disintegrated, because it is not there. I can feel the threaded rod and door arm (with hole in the end). I can get my hand on the threaded rod and arm, and could easily thread a plastic bushing on it. I will do some more searching and will check for pics. Thanks

[DaveP]

The center consol is out of this truck. I doubt I could get the pics with it installed. Here ya go. At least it gives you an idea of what SHOULD be up there.



This is a GREAT pic. It's taken in the mirrior, using macro on the camera, zoomed-in. The white bushing is split. You can line-up the 'pin' of the busing into the door. Then drop the threaded rod into the bushing, push it into the door bracket, then put the clip over it. Maybe with it in place.

[randy merritt]

Perfect, thanks Dave. Now I just have to find the plastic bushing. Maybe pick and pull? Internet search got me nothing. Is the default position of the door (where I should position the bushing on the threaded rod) where it rests under no vaccum conditions?

[DaveP]

Originally Posted by randy merritt

Perfect, thanks Dave. Now I just have to find the plastic bushing. Maybe pick and pull? Internet search got me nothing. Is the default position of the door (where I should position the bushing on the threaded rod) where it rests under no vacuum conditions?

I sourced my bushing from pick-a-part. Took some time to get to it. I didn't even think of looking up the P/N before today. I'd try to order one from GM, first.

The door centers itself by the spring on the front of the housing. The actuator doesn't. It just 'drifts' to a somewhat neutral position. So you have to pay attention to getting the bushing on the rod in the correct location. The maximum travel of the actuator is roughly two threads in each direction further than the door moves. So you have about 1/4" to set it in and still have full travel to each end. On DesertSy, the threaded rod was discolored where it had been exposed all the years. I put the bushing back in the 'bright' area of the rod and checked it for full travel to each end. If that makes any sense.

You have my number. Call if you get confused while working on it.

[randy merritt]

OK, not best solution, but a solution none the less. After my time at pick and pull trying to retrieve the small plastic part to fix my problem, I quickly realized that cutting the front off the plenum was the easiest way, or only way, to get to the part. I did the same thing on my Sy. Please forgive me Dave. I made a small access hole, installed the needed part, and then replaced the cut out piece with some heavy foil backed duct tape. Should hold forever and not be seen. I have not to many regrets, as this is not a sy/ty specific part. Vents blow great now. Pics.

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[DaveP]

You should be working for Safeway, Randy........ I hear they have the best butchers in town.


Actually, I like that approach. I'm working on another Sy right now, have the console out, I was looking at that part thinking about your situation and going "glad I don't have to do that. I don't think it can be done in the truck".

Only thing I would do differently would be to put the cut-out piece back in the hole using the 2-part epoxy I use for cladding repair. You're right, you can't see it with the closeout panel installed, but Duct Tape?

Glad you got it done.

[HARMON]

dam rednecks

[randy merritt]

Originally Posted by DaveP

You should be working for Safeway, Randy........ I hear they have the best butchers in town.


Actually, I like that approach. I'm working on another Sy right now, have the console out, I was looking at that part thinking about your situation and going "glad I don't have to do that. I don't think it can be done in the truck".

Only thing I would do differently would be to put the cut-out piece back in the hole using the 2-part epoxy I use for cladding repair. You're right, you can't see it with the closeout panel installed, but Duct Tape?

Glad you got it done.

Not really duct tape, but the good metal foil tape called "intertape" by intertape polymer group. used on home A/C systems all the time for making plenums. two part epoxy would be better, agreed. If anyone has seen my scoop for my trans cooler, it has been put together with the same tape. very tuff stuff. that's how we roll in north fla.

[DaveP]

Originally Posted by randy merritt

that's how we roll in north fla.

I've gotta say, you rednecks gitterdunn. In SoCal we think about how we're gonna do it so bitchin' and all that, but never get around to doing anything at all. The chit stays broken.

Harmon will be proud. Gitterdunn.

[randy merritt]

:Thanks Dave. Any complementary comment from you speaks volumes. (not that you are rude, but you know your sh*t)