New electric blend door acutator not working

Tiny
ALMNOP
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Trying to show my 16 year old how to work in his car. Its a 91 Buick Regal GS. The ac/heat barely blows out of the vents, but is coming out of all of them. This is not the dual temp type. The blower works great. The controls do no change the air flow. All vacuum actuators work fine. Disassebled the dash and watched each one cycle. However the electric blend door actuator was not working. Bought a new one and replaced it, but still not actuating. I did check the door with the actuator off, and it worked without a glitch. What powers the electric actuator? Are there any relays or fuses I may have missed? Is the electric actuator controlled at all by the vacuum manifold which powers the vacuum actuators? Studied the chiltons, and everything I could find in every buick forums, gm forums etc. I now know waaaay more than I ever wanted to about blend door actuators, etc. But still no answer. We live in Wasilla, Alaska and it is getting cold out. At this point I'm tempted to remove the actuator and wire the blend door open, (although I dislike this kind of fix) just so he doesn't freeze on the way to school and work. Any info or help would be appreciated. I feel like I'm letting him down not being able to figure this out. Plus his car is being parked in my garage because of no heat, and I want my spot back. :) Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Alan W. Stott
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Saturday, November 8th, 2014 AT 12:38 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
You actually don't have a blend motor you have what is called an air temp valve motor which power is sent through the light blue wire to it. That leads to the blower motor switch which powers both of the blower an d temp valve. It is controlled by the ecm so you either have a bad motor or connection and or maybe even the ecm. I'd have a pro search it out for you there also is a resistor in the wire that eh air temp motor connects to probably for reduced voltage. I'm sending along on how to check air temp motor.
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Saturday, November 8th, 2014 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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Wow! Thank you so much for your prompt reply. Did I write that this was the manual temperature control type heater not electronic? Not sure if that would make any difference regarding your answer. I did replace the motor 2 days ago. I appreciate the list of tests. I will try the couple I feel capable of, but yes, figuring it's time for a pro. I know when I have reached the ended of my limited knowledge regarding this problem. Much appreciated!
Alan W. Stott
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Saturday, November 8th, 2014 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
ALMNOP
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I apologize. I'm still a bit confused. The wiring diagram that I have is for a 92 regal and does call it the air temp valve motor. Is this the same as a 91 without the automatic temperature control unit, just the manual one? When I bought the replacement part it was labeled Dorman blend door actuator. All the other info I read called it that also, including the heater breakdown diagram. I'm sure I'm just mixing terminology. I'm just trying to clear this up to be sure the tests you sent were the same for either one. Yes, the connector does have the light blue-black-pink/black wires on the connector. Thanks again.
Alan
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Saturday, November 8th, 2014 AT 11:13 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
What I sent is for a 91 buick regal
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Sunday, November 9th, 2014 AT 6:20 AM

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