Reindexing HVAC actuators....
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Star Washer
I tried taking it off this past weekend with no success. I just worked around it to take the actuator out. But if I really had to take it out I think if you squeeze it with a pliers and bend it it may come off. You may damage it beyond repair though and need a replacement. I cannot understand why GM would put such a permanent type of fastener on an access panel.
Did the reindex two teeth on the actuator and no codes as of yet. Two days now and I also did the resoldering of the resistors in the head unit. Now all I need to do is fix the ABS\TC control module problem and I'm all fixed up.
Oh and mine is a 2001 and it had the HVAC codes from the actuator.
Did the reindex two teeth on the actuator and no codes as of yet. Two days now and I also did the resoldering of the resistors in the head unit. Now all I need to do is fix the ABS\TC control module problem and I'm all fixed up.
Oh and mine is a 2001 and it had the HVAC codes from the actuator.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by SmoothDog0
you have to kind of screw, and unscrew it, it's a washer type "screw" just keep turning it back and forth and it will eventually unscrew itself, took me a while to figure it out too
I *tried* to yank the washer off with pliers, but had no luck. I finally twisted back and forth while I pulled and it came off. I need to update the website with this information. Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne FL
Mission Accomplished!
Hey guys & dolls - I finally got around to working on the passenger side actuator and got it replaced! I've got pics and things to post, so I'll be doing a write-up this week. The quick and dirty of it is not pretty - you do have to remove the dash to get to the passenger side actuator. However, it actually isn't that bad of a process. I'll give my full report in the next day or two.
Should I go ahead and post as a new thread since this one is getting pretty lengthy? How about the Tech Tips - how do I post it there?
Cheers!
Should I go ahead and post as a new thread since this one is getting pretty lengthy? How about the Tech Tips - how do I post it there?
Cheers!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: Coulmbia New Jersey
What a great thread. I found a broken gear in my left actuator.
It took me around 45 minutes to remove the dash pad. but it took over a hour to reinstall it. I had the B0441 and B0361 and could not clear the codes.
It took me around 45 minutes to remove the dash pad. but it took over a hour to reinstall it. I had the B0441 and B0361 and could not clear the codes.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Wow, thanks for the pictures CTSV_OWNER! That didn't look like fun, but I have to admit it didn't take you near as long as I would have expected. The instructions for removing the dash pad are pretty lengthy.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne FL
I've posted my write up as a new post since this was getting pretty long, and specifically related to the drivers side. You can find the write up at the link below with pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1561772
I hope it helps anyone that might have to tackle this little project. I have to say that it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. When you read the instructions from the service manual it sounds pretty daunting, but following the steps and information I found and provided in my write up I'm sure just about anyone who can turn a wrench can do this project.
Oh, and by the way after getting the dash off and locating the passenger side actuator I noticed that the actuator WASN'T EVEN CONNECTED!!!! AAAHHHGGGHHH!!! I went ahead and replaced it anyway since I was already there. The old actuator had some handwriting on it so I'm guessing it had been serviced once before by a previous owner.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1561772
I hope it helps anyone that might have to tackle this little project. I have to say that it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. When you read the instructions from the service manual it sounds pretty daunting, but following the steps and information I found and provided in my write up I'm sure just about anyone who can turn a wrench can do this project.
Oh, and by the way after getting the dash off and locating the passenger side actuator I noticed that the actuator WASN'T EVEN CONNECTED!!!! AAAHHHGGGHHH!!! I went ahead and replaced it anyway since I was already there. The old actuator had some handwriting on it so I'm guessing it had been serviced once before by a previous owner.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by FletcherT76
I've posted my write up as a new post since this was getting pretty long, and specifically related to the drivers side. You can find the write up at the link below with pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1561772
I hope it helps anyone that might have to tackle this little project. I have to say that it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. When you read the instructions from the service manual it sounds pretty daunting, but following the steps and information I found and provided in my write up I'm sure just about anyone who can turn a wrench can do this project.
Oh, and by the way after getting the dash off and locating the passenger side actuator I noticed that the actuator WASN'T EVEN CONNECTED!!!! AAAHHHGGGHHH!!! I went ahead and replaced it anyway since I was already there. The old actuator had some handwriting on it so I'm guessing it had been serviced once before by a previous owner.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1561772
I hope it helps anyone that might have to tackle this little project. I have to say that it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. When you read the instructions from the service manual it sounds pretty daunting, but following the steps and information I found and provided in my write up I'm sure just about anyone who can turn a wrench can do this project.
Oh, and by the way after getting the dash off and locating the passenger side actuator I noticed that the actuator WASN'T EVEN CONNECTED!!!! AAAHHHGGGHHH!!! I went ahead and replaced it anyway since I was already there. The old actuator had some handwriting on it so I'm guessing it had been serviced once before by a previous owner.
Thanks!
In case someone one day stumbles on this thread I'm going to quote from your post if you don't mind. There's some really good information in there!
Originally Posted by FletcherT76
This forum has helped me greatly in my few months of Corvette ownership so I'll try to give back to this great community:
If you're getting error codes B0367 and/or B0446 the passenger side actuator is either out of range or not responding at all to the HVAC Control Module. Below are the steps to access and replace the actuator.
Unlike the driver's side actuator, you cannot access the passenger side actuator from underneath the dashboard. (For the drivers side, visit this link for a great write up by JR_Vette: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1465931)
You must remove the dashboard and glovebox to access the passenger side actuator. There is no need to remove the radio and HVAC Control Module as I did. I was originally hoping I could access the actuator through that area somehow, but quickly realized it was not possible. I found a detailed write up on the dashboard removal so I won't try to re-invent the wheel here, just follow the steps provided and you'll have the dash off in about 45 minutes. I realize this is an article for a HUD conversion, but the steps to remove the dashboard are very detailed and obviously apply here as well. http://joshker99.home.comcast.net/hudinstall2.htm
[TIP: Wrap the top of your steering wheel in blue painters tape or cover it with a towel to prevent scratching the leather.]
Once the dash is off, you can easily locate both the drivers side and passenger side actuators. The passenger side is a little hidden by the round motor on the right side of the picture, but its there and easily visible when you get in there.
Using a 7mm socket, extension and wrench, you can remove the two bolts to the actuator through a cutout in the glovebox frame. That's the actuator with the bar code sticker on it. You can see the top bolt through the frame in this picture.
Now, rotate and twist the round motor off it's base (no screws or bolts, just twist and turn it a little and it will slide right off). Once off it's base, just move it out of the way and you can now pull the actuator out and disconnect the wiring harness.
Now just plug in your new actuator and reverse the process.
Approximate duration: 2-4 hours.
Good luck - hope this helps someone else!
If you have any questions feel free to send me a PM and I'll do what I can to help.
If you're getting error codes B0367 and/or B0446 the passenger side actuator is either out of range or not responding at all to the HVAC Control Module. Below are the steps to access and replace the actuator.
Unlike the driver's side actuator, you cannot access the passenger side actuator from underneath the dashboard. (For the drivers side, visit this link for a great write up by JR_Vette: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1465931)
You must remove the dashboard and glovebox to access the passenger side actuator. There is no need to remove the radio and HVAC Control Module as I did. I was originally hoping I could access the actuator through that area somehow, but quickly realized it was not possible. I found a detailed write up on the dashboard removal so I won't try to re-invent the wheel here, just follow the steps provided and you'll have the dash off in about 45 minutes. I realize this is an article for a HUD conversion, but the steps to remove the dashboard are very detailed and obviously apply here as well. http://joshker99.home.comcast.net/hudinstall2.htm
[TIP: Wrap the top of your steering wheel in blue painters tape or cover it with a towel to prevent scratching the leather.]
Once the dash is off, you can easily locate both the drivers side and passenger side actuators. The passenger side is a little hidden by the round motor on the right side of the picture, but its there and easily visible when you get in there.
Using a 7mm socket, extension and wrench, you can remove the two bolts to the actuator through a cutout in the glovebox frame. That's the actuator with the bar code sticker on it. You can see the top bolt through the frame in this picture.
Now, rotate and twist the round motor off it's base (no screws or bolts, just twist and turn it a little and it will slide right off). Once off it's base, just move it out of the way and you can now pull the actuator out and disconnect the wiring harness.
Now just plug in your new actuator and reverse the process.
Approximate duration: 2-4 hours.
Good luck - hope this helps someone else!
If you have any questions feel free to send me a PM and I'll do what I can to help.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
When we bought our 97 this past August, we had the "hot air out of the driver's side a/c vents and cold air out of the passenger side vents" in our dual zone HVAC system. I cured the problem by disconnecting the battery overnight, and so far, the problem hasn't returned. 
Also, while I had the battery disconnected, I removed it and cleaned the battery tray. The previous owner had the battery replaced a month or two before we bought the car from him and the shop that installed the new battery apparently did not clean up the tray when they exchanged the batteries.
Also, while I had the battery disconnected, I removed it and cleaned the battery tray. The previous owner had the battery replaced a month or two before we bought the car from him and the shop that installed the new battery apparently did not clean up the tray when they exchanged the batteries.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 40
From: Osage Beach,MO,USA
This is very interesting & I admire what has been done here. Does this problem make any of you think poor engineering/design & cheap plastic parts? Should be a GM recall & free fix - that's what should be ask for. Do you think Toyota or Nissan would let a problem like this slide? And GM wonders why it has lost so much market share!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I'd like to ttt this thread so it doesn't get archived. Spring is coming, and with Spring, more people will notice problems with their cooling systems. There's great info in this thread. My original post pales in comparison to some of the great information that has been posted in this thread.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
I re indexed my actuator during the fall, no broken gears. And it had already been replaced with a newer part. Didn't notice the difference during the winter but now I'm still getting warm air out of the drivers side...Still getting codes...
I guess my next step is the HVAC control module from a 2001 or newer year.....
Any other suggestions.
I guess my next step is the HVAC control module from a 2001 or newer year.....
Any other suggestions.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Could someone post the replacement part numbers for the actuators?
LH actuator part number
gm: 89018365
ac-delco: 15-72971
Control Head part number
gm: 10345293
ac-delco: 15-72949
LH actuator part number
gm: 89018365
ac-delco: 15-72971
Control Head part number
gm: 10345293
ac-delco: 15-72949
Last edited by slicktqa; Mar 15, 2007 at 08:36 PM. Reason: added part numbers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
Turned on the a/c for the first time this year. Suprise, drivers side cold as ice, passenger side hot as hell.
No HVAC codes or any other related codes. I'll try disconecting the battery and checking the freon level to start and update on the fix. Thanks guys, great thread!
Update:
I got codes! Thanks for the dash removal instructions.
2nd update:
Pulled dash and replaced passenger acuator. Inspected broken actuator and found a broken gear. Everything works as it should now.
No HVAC codes or any other related codes. I'll try disconecting the battery and checking the freon level to start and update on the fix. Thanks guys, great thread!Update:
I got codes! Thanks for the dash removal instructions.
2nd update:
Pulled dash and replaced passenger acuator. Inspected broken actuator and found a broken gear. Everything works as it should now.
Last edited by kevin40zx; May 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
Likes: 16
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16