2003 Chevy Cavalier Heather and AC controller will not swit

LIFE24523

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

Air Conditioning problem
2003 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

When I woke up this morning, there was frost on my winsheild so I reached over to turn on my defrost. For some reason the knob would not turn from the top vent position to any other position. I could feel the knob jerking when trying to turn to the defrost. I kept trying to turn it and the knob finnally went as far as defrost with bottem vents, but it wasnt working properly. Air was still only coming from the top vents. When tryin to move the controller knob again, it is not going to the extreme left setting or extreme right side setting, it will bounce back to the top vent setting.

1 Reply

BRIAN 1

MECHANIC
1,030 POSTS

This was a common problem on these vehicles. Here is a bulletin. Subject: Difficult to Change HVAC Mode or Air Blows Through Upper Vents Only (Replace Foam on HVAC Mode Valve)

Models: 2003-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

2003-2005 Pontiac Sunfire
Some customers may comment of difficulty in changing the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) mode or that air blows through the upper vents only. This condition may be caused by the foam on the HVAC mode valve (mode door) coming looseDo This
Don't Do This

Replace foam on mode valve.
Do not replace the HVAC control head unless damaged. Remove both instrument panel outer trim covers. Remove the instrument panel trim padRemove the instrument panel accessory trim plate
Remove the air distributor duct Install a new piece of foam on the mode door valve, P/N 89018656. Refer to the instruction sheet that is included with the new part for detailed foam installation instructions and part illustrations. Install the air distributor duct. Install the instrument panel accessory trim plate
Install both instrument panel outer trim coversVerify proper operation of the HVAC system. You might want to check or replace the mode door cable, when the mode door gets stuck it bends or breaks the cable that operates the mode door.