Cold on passenger side, warmer on driver side?

Tiny
ABLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
When a/c is on, cold on passenger side, warmer on driver side
Friday, July 17th, 2009 AT 8:20 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
The vents are run by an actuator it sounds like you have one that is not working here is a guide to help you see whats going on and how to fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, July 18th, 2009 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
  • 2002 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,777 MILES
My driver side AC is blowing hot air while the passenger side blows cold. I called around and believe it could be a actuator. I do have separate temperature controls for driver and passenger, but they are not digital. Any idea where to start? I am trying to see if can do this myself. When I push the AC switch on I can hear the compressor.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

There is a blend door motor on the passenger side that controls the heat and cold command. common issue for this issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

Roy

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

imageZoom/Print

1. Remove the right side instrument panel insulator.
2. Remove the instrument panel compartment.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the right air temperature actuator.

imageZoom/Print

4. Remove the screws which secure the right air temperature actuator.
5. Remove the electric actuator.

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
So I just want to make sure I understand correctly because the video shows the removal from glove box area from a different car but your reply reads " the right side instrument panel " is that the glove box?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Also, just an FYI, I had a code p0400 come up the other day when my service engine light came on. One of the items to check to fix was a vacuum hose leak. Could this cause the actuator to not open or close? I read that the vents are actuated by vacuum.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Correct. It is behind the glove box door when you remove it. It will be a clear shot to get to the actuator.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Sorry, meant to put p0440.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHOPPER12
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2000 BUICK CENTURY
  • 100,000 MILES
Dual climate control. Seems like a door is stuck but don't know how to get to it and check it out. Driverside works fine Passenger side only blows cold airIs ther a way I can fix this myself.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Once the failure is determined. There is a blend door motor that needs to be tested to verify that it is bad and not the control.
It is under the dash right side.
A shop with a scan tool and voltmeter can track down the failure for you.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
440 is an EVAP code for the vapor recovery system, this has no effect on your AC issue.

Roy

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The control module tests the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for a large leak. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor signal to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. When the conditions for running are met, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge valve OPEN and the EVAP vent valve CLOSED. This allows engine vacuum to enter the EVAP system. At a calibrated time, or vacuum level, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge valve closed, sealing the system, and monitors the FTP sensor input in order to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. If the system is unable to achieve the calibrated vacuum level, or the vacuum level decreases too rapidly, this DTC sets.

Image

The table illustrates the relationship between the ON and OFF states, and the OPEN or CLOSED states of the EVAP canister purge and vent valves.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
DTCs P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0443, P0449, P0452, P0453, P1106, P1107, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1121, or P1122 are not set.
The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 75 kPa.
The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
The start up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F).
The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 121 km/h (75 mph).

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The EVAP system is not able to achieve or maintain vacuum during the diagnostic test.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
The control module will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test ran and failed.
The control module will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC
The control module will turn the MIL OFF during the first trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
A last test failed (current DTC) clears when the control module turns OFF the MIL.
The history DTC will clear after the control module runs and passes 40 consecutive warm up cycles with no failure.
The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Use the J 41413 EVAP Pressure and Purge Station in order to pressurize the EVAP system to aid in locating intermittent leaks. Move all EVAP components while testing with the J 41416 Ultrasonic Leak Detector.
A temporary blockage in the EVAP canister purge valve, purge pipe or EVAP canister could cause an intermittent condition.
Reviewing the Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHOPPER12
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There is no problems with the air conditioning at all this is y I'm thinkung it is stuck. Not alot of money here so am triing to fix myself is there a way to bypass the dual climate control and just use the drivers side temp settings.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Great, thank you so much. I am heading to O'reily to get me a part and give this a whirl. I will keep you updated.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, no real short cuts.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHOPPER12
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Will the blend door actuator from my 2000 Bonneville fit as it is going for scrap soon.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMILLEON
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
So here is where I am at right now. I went to buy a new replacement actuator for my car and AutoZone sold me the wrong one, return home to put the old one back on and it is taking me forever. I cannot align actuator correctly, but noticed this piece keeps coming off when I turn on AC.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need to verify the part numbers are exact or it wont work.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It looks like the piece that attaches to the white part has the end broken off.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

For this, would you please do me a favor, please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

Some of the review of the system may indicate it may have thrown two codes but not turn on the light to indicate that. I am looking for codes DTC 80361 or B0441.

Please ensure you perform the above and get back with me.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHOPPER12
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
According to rock auto they are the same unit so looks like I'll give it a try this afternoon Thanks for the help will let you know.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:16 PM (Merged)

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