A/C Vent Solenoid? Help!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
A/C Vent Solenoid? Help!
Hi all --
The vents on my '95 won't work.... which, from searching the archives seems to be a common problem. Everything on the ECC seems to work ok -- temperature control works, fan control works, and I can switch between floor, windshield, and vents just fine except when I push 'vent' the little light above the button does not go on (though the other one's do go off) and no air comes through the vents (it stops coming out everywhere else, except for maybe a trickle).
From what I gleaned from the archives I suspect the solenoid that controls the vent door, or the door itself, is at fault. To be sure I checked the check valve that supplies vacuum and it's ok. Before I go tearing everything apart, has anyone had this problem? Was it the solenoid? And where's the solenoid and vent door located, anyway?
Thanks a ton,
Jeremy
The vents on my '95 won't work.... which, from searching the archives seems to be a common problem. Everything on the ECC seems to work ok -- temperature control works, fan control works, and I can switch between floor, windshield, and vents just fine except when I push 'vent' the little light above the button does not go on (though the other one's do go off) and no air comes through the vents (it stops coming out everywhere else, except for maybe a trickle).
From what I gleaned from the archives I suspect the solenoid that controls the vent door, or the door itself, is at fault. To be sure I checked the check valve that supplies vacuum and it's ok. Before I go tearing everything apart, has anyone had this problem? Was it the solenoid? And where's the solenoid and vent door located, anyway?
Thanks a ton,
Jeremy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Same solenoid is used for the dash whether it be for a/c or Econ (Vent) - so if it works in one but not the other, it's probably the Control Panel. Test is to hook up a Bi-Directional Scanner and through the Serial Data Link to the BCM (CCM), emulate the Control Panel and see if it works. If it does, you need a new Panel. If not, it's the Programmer. I'd see how much a Dealer wants to check it out for you - hopefully the flat rate is no more than an hour.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
95 A/C control
I had a similar problem (manual A/C, C60 rpo) and eventually traced it to a blown transistor in the A/C control panel. Even though the service manual shows a mechanical rotary switch, there is transistor switching inside the manual A/C control panel.
First, get the system checked as SunCr suggests.
Second, if it's a failed control panel you can fix it yourself if you can trouble-shoot transistor logic. That's not so difficult (the transistor in mine was actually exploded) and it only cost about $1 for parts from Radio Shack. If you remove the A/C control panel, there are lots of how to's for removing the bezel (use 'search' above). One word of caution, the temperature control for the manual A/C is not connected the way the service manual shows, so be very careful springing the connector loose or it will break. A set of hemostats or long needle nose pliers really come in handy.
Third, if you can remove but can't fix it there are a lot of scrap yard parts that are much more reasonable than a new panel. I've used contemporarycorvette with good success. They're quick, accept credit cards, and have given reliable advice.
Fourth, if you have deep pockets have the panel replace with a new one.
Fixing it is much more fun. I put off digging into mine for a couple of months but once started, the problem was enjoyable to fix and took only a couple of hours. Cheap too.
Good luck
First, get the system checked as SunCr suggests.
Second, if it's a failed control panel you can fix it yourself if you can trouble-shoot transistor logic. That's not so difficult (the transistor in mine was actually exploded) and it only cost about $1 for parts from Radio Shack. If you remove the A/C control panel, there are lots of how to's for removing the bezel (use 'search' above). One word of caution, the temperature control for the manual A/C is not connected the way the service manual shows, so be very careful springing the connector loose or it will break. A set of hemostats or long needle nose pliers really come in handy.
Third, if you can remove but can't fix it there are a lot of scrap yard parts that are much more reasonable than a new panel. I've used contemporarycorvette with good success. They're quick, accept credit cards, and have given reliable advice.
Fourth, if you have deep pockets have the panel replace with a new one.
Fixing it is much more fun. I put off digging into mine for a couple of months but once started, the problem was enjoyable to fix and took only a couple of hours. Cheap too.
Good luck
Last edited by IRAraid; Jun 21, 2006 at 07:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Unfortunately, won't work on the C68 - Electronic Controls. They rely on a processor called the Programmer. It communicates with the Control Panel through serial data lines. Programmer is linked to to the CCM. Some have taken the Dash Controls apart and cleaned up the Contacts, but you need to know what part isn't working first.
