Climate control problems

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Feb 28, 2005 | 10:39 AM

dtoppi

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Cruising

Joined: Feb 2005

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Climate control problems

I am having a problem with my climate control on my
1999 corvette. Recently,
I noticed that I no longer have control of where my A/C
or heat comes out. When I press the mode button to
change the exit to the vents or floor, air comes out
equally everywhere...vents, floor, dash. All buttons
function as usual, but I have no control of where the air
comes out!!! Please help if you have any suggestions or
if anyone has had a similar problem!

Last edited by dtoppi; Feb 28, 2005 at 10:42 AM.

Feb 28, 2005 | 10:45 AM

iteachflyin

Racer

Joined: Jan 2005

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From: New York

Vacuum line eaten through by battery acid

I'm no technical genius but I just experienced the same problem in my '00 targa coupe. Seems a very common problem in earlier cars was a battery that leaked acid below it to the wiring harness and vacuum lines controlling the heat doors for all the vents. Turned out that the acid ate through a plastic housing of a vacuum line and then through the vacuum hose causing all my probs. Was a bear to fix. They had to remove the passenger fender and wheel well access panels to get at it. The dealer said it took a day and a half of tech time (read that at about a grand). Luckily I had just gotten my car under a GM Certified warranty and got it fixed without charge. According to a brilliant Corvette specialist that I know, this is very common.

Feb 28, 2005 | 10:49 AM

dtoppi

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Cruising

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Thanks for the advise...I have noticed a bit of corrosion on my positive terminal. So, a simple hose that needs to be replaced, but all the effort to get to it? Sounds like a fun afternoon for me since I believe my warranty is out!

Feb 28, 2005 | 10:54 AM

iteachflyin

Racer

Joined: Jan 2005

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From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtoppi

Again, I don't want to imply that I'm mechanically inclined, because I'm not but ... the tech said that the acid trail apparently followed the firewall down to the plastic housing on the vacuum hose, where it and the wiring harness go through the firewall. It seems that because the line was ruined right at the firewall, it also made the fix more complex. Just trying to clue you in on one of the issues that you may get in to.

Feb 28, 2005 | 11:49 AM

dtoppi

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well, I have a starting point at least! We'll see if that's the problem or not. Thanks again!

Feb 28, 2005 | 01:09 PM

dtoppi

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Cruising

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Does anyone have any personal experience with exposing the mechanism(are they vacuum hoses or wiring?) that open and close the vents for the climate control?

Feb 28, 2005 | 04:32 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 32,910

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From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

Ohhhhhhhhh Yea!! If you have acid leaking out of the battery, a bad vacuum line is your least concern.

I recommend that you remove the battery, remove the passengers front tire, remove the plastic access panel on the rear portion of the fender well. After you remove the panel, you will be able to see the main wiring harness, PCM, TAC Module and other wiring harnesses. That should give you a very good idea if there is any acid damage. Look at the frame and see id it is corroced and look for white powder on the wires and harnesses. You can apply some baking soda disolved in tap water to the area. If it reacts, you need to do a LOT of cleaning, inspecting and repairing.

You might only have a disconnected vacuum line at the back of the intake manifold. It is a very common problem but a BITCH to get the line back on!! Here is a picture of the fitting where the HVAC vacuum supply line attaches to.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

BC

Mar 2, 2005 | 12:42 AM

dtoppi

Thread Starter

Cruising

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Thanks so much for the descriptive picture of that possible disconnected vaccum hose. That doesn't look like a lot of fun to get to though as you had said! I hope it is that simple though!