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Weird AC problem....need some help please

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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 11:41 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by YO-EL
First of all, if your system was simply low on refrigerant, you wouldn't be getting the actuator door codes..

Secondly, if only 1/2 the coil was getting filled with refrigerant, it would eventually ice up.....

Index the teeth by 2 on the actuator. There is an internal TSB on this.
How do I find out the TSB number and get a copy of it????
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Old Jul 4, 2006 | 02:31 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Joel Forman
How do I find out the TSB number and get a copy of it????
Because its an "internal TSB", only a GM Tech can get it thru GM Tech Support, and they will have to specifically ASK for it
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Well,, try this experiment. Turn the temperature to hot and see if you get heat on both sides!! The actuator can fail in either direction (hot or cold). If one side is hot and the other side is still cold or cooler than the hot side, you have proved that the actuator is stuck in the cold position or is out of range in the cold position.

Let us know how it turns out.

BC
This is what mine does after playing around this weekend, about 85 degrees.
Both sides turned to cold (ac on)- Driver: mild, pass: very cool, but not cold.
Both sides turned to hot (ac off)- Driver: hot, pass: hot.
Both sides turned to cold (ac off)- Driver: ambient, pass: ambient.

Have not checked codes yet. Is it possible that the driver's actuator is not fully opening? And how difficult is it to access?

Last edited by plaster; Jul 5, 2006 at 01:14 PM.
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 01:44 PM
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is the compressor clutch cycling on/off frequently? if so,you are low on refridgerant
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by dpd
is the compressor clutch cycling on/off frequently? if so,you are low on refridgerant
No, I do not believe so.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 12:00 PM
  #26  
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Just started exhibiting the same problem. I have the gauges to check the pressure, I just need to go do it. I do know I have a leak at the rear of the compressor that I used some stop leak on last year and it has been good since then but maybe now I'm low again. I haven't looked for any codes and I recently blanketly cleared all codes. I'll check again for any HVAC codes. My compressor does not seem to be cycling but I am again getting a faint 'cooing' sound that was evident when I found the leak last summer.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 12:40 PM
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What should the pressure be? I would like to get a cheap a/c setup from Autozone.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 03:54 PM
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The high and low side pressures vary with ambient temp and humidity. There is a table in the service manual. Whatever gauges you get make sure they have high and low pressure hookups and gauges. I got mine at Harbor Freight.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 05:15 PM
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Default Same issue

Not trying to hijack your thread, but have the EXACT same issue on my 2000. Lots of good info here but how about a answer to WHERE the actuator is actually mounted so it can be checked ????
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ICUALL
Not trying to hijack your thread, but have the EXACT same issue on my 2000. Lots of good info here but how about a answer to WHERE the actuator is actually mounted so it can be checked ????
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 07:03 PM
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=b0441

Take a look there for where the drivers side one is.

I was convinced through all of my reading on this site that my actuator was done for. I had both B0361 and B0441 codes. My drivers side was warm and the passenger side ice cold. I tried resetting the HVAC system and it only got worse, so I figured I had reset the actuator but instead of fixing itself, it just got more jammed/stuck closed.

But guess what, I added one can of R134 and it is ice cold on both sides. I dont know why, but I did it all myself and it fixed it.

It is worth a shot. Check your pressures first, obviously.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by John600rr
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=b0441

Take a look there for where the drivers side one is.

I was convinced through all of my reading on this site that my actuator was done for. I had both B0361 and B0441 codes. My drivers side was warm and the passenger side ice cold. I tried resetting the HVAC system and it only got worse, so I figured I had reset the actuator but instead of fixing itself, it just got more jammed/stuck closed.

But guess what, I added one can of R134 and it is ice cold on both sides. I dont know why, but I did it all myself and it fixed it.

It is worth a shot. Check your pressures first, obviously.
Are your codes coming back???
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ICUALL
Not trying to hijack your thread, but have the EXACT same issue on my 2000. Lots of good info here but how about a answer to WHERE the actuator is actually mounted so it can be checked ????
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by longdrive70
Are your codes coming back???

I checked this morning, and this afternoon. (I added some R134 last night, ran it for a test, then went to bed).

I got no HVAC codes this morning. But after all day, I got the B0441 to reappear. AC is ice cold on both sides, I played with the heat/cold and passenger/driver too and it is still working.

I really don't understand why it fixed, but it did.

The link I posted has a very good explanation where the actuator is.

It is pretty much underneath the steering wheel, but up against the firewall. Where the steering shaft goes into the engine bay. You should remove the plastic knee piece under the steering wheel to get to it. Check the link, its got a good picture from a service manual what the actual actuator looks like.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 09:13 AM
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Thanks for the info, John.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 10:10 AM
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I've been following this thread for sometime since I've had the same problem. My AC started blowing hot air after my battery died and I needed to jump start it. I've since replaced my battery with a Red top Optima.

I tried all the suggestions here, pulled the fuses, shorted the battery terminals, disconnected the battery overnight. Without any success. I figure before pulling the actuators, I'd try adding more FR134 and SUPRISE - now I have AC again. Seems really strange. But that fixed my problem.
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by RalphC5
I've been following this thread for sometime since I've had the same problem. My AC started blowing hot air after my battery died and I needed to jump start it. I've since replaced my battery with a Red top Optima.

I tried all the suggestions here, pulled the fuses, shorted the battery terminals, disconnected the battery overnight. Without any success. I figure before pulling the actuators, I'd try adding more FR134 and SUPRISE - now I have AC again. Seems really strange. But that fixed my problem.
Were you getting any codes? I am getting codes but everything seems to be working fine. I am suspicious that I have a refrigerant leak since the ac does not seem to get as cold but I do not see how refrigerant would effect the actuators and related DTC's
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Old Jul 7, 2006 | 01:30 PM
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Here is the AC pressure chart if anyone's interested.

http://winters.dyndns.org/images/corvette/ACTables.xls
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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 12:06 AM
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No I didn't have any of the actuator error codes. But no matter what temperature setting I had the climate control set to it would still blow hot air. This lead me to believe that I have the actuator stuck in the heater position. If it was just an issue with low FR134, I would have expected it to blow ambient air not heated air. That and it suddenly stopped working. Very confusing.
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Old Jul 8, 2006 | 06:47 AM
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I'd like to try to add some R134 before I take it in to the shop.......how do you know how much to add??? I see the cans for sale in auto parts stores.....is there a gauge of some sort you need also????
Any advice will be appreciated.

Joel
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