1996 Honda Accord Cabin airflow selection

ANDYMASON

MEMBER
1996 HONDA ACCORD
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
229,000 MILES

I just purchased this Accord, so not sure how long this has been happening. When I tried to select defrost the other day, I noticed that some airflow did move to defrost, but most of the airflow was coming out of the "face" vents. This car has the push button selection - floor, floor and face blend, face, floor and defrost blend, and defrost/defog. I stuck my head under the dash and when I push each of the buttons I can see the motor moving the linkage and was looks to be the airflow damper, but some air always comes out of the middle "face" vents, it never completely switches over. I am unsure where to go from here.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Are the actuators operated by engine vacuum?

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 AT 5:05 AM

ANDYMASON

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Sorry I didn't make that more clear. The actuators are a linkage connected to an electric motor. I can hear the motor and I can see the linkage move. It is as if the damper were actually stuck or has limited mobility.

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 AT 5:45 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

I would check to see if the actuator is actually closing or opening the entire way. If it isn't, check to make sure the linkage isn't damaged or the actuator itself is fully functional.

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 AT 8:52 AM

ANDYMASON

MEMBER
3 POSTS

OK. Not sure how I would actually verify that. When I push the button, I can watch the linkage being moved, and the cam on the box being moved as the grooves in the linkage go past. Not exactly sure how to explain it. But from watching the linkage, it looks like everything is moving as it should. I am not a mechanic, just very mechanically minded. And, with the help of people like you, I have been able to fix anything I have set my hand to, just not sure how to verify where the problem actually is. I guess I would have to post a few pictures or something.

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 AT 9:05 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Since you are getting air flow through two places, one of the vent doors can't be closing properly. Can you manually close the one you see and check if the problem is resolved?