Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C?

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Aug 21, 2002 | 01:05 PM

deeb0

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From: Austin TX

Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C?

Twice now in the past few months this has happened: I start the car in the morning and crank the A/C up to full blast. The driver's side is blowing warm air, while the passenger side is blowing cold air (which it should). Both times just shutting down and restarting the car un-screwed the A/C.

Is this a simple fix, or a symptom of a bigger problem? Or just fine American quality (j/k, no flames please!)?

My car should still be under warranty, but it's a PITA to take it in.

Aug 21, 2002 | 01:35 PM

Patches

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From: Lake Elsinore, CA

Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

Yeah, this happened to me and another member recently but mine was blowing heat from both sides. Just like you, I shut the car off and started it back up and all was fine. My car had been sitting in the sun at about 95 deg. for several hours. Hasn't happened since though.

Have no idea what happened. :confused:

Aug 21, 2002 | 01:39 PM

Scissors

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From: Virginia

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St. Jude's Donor '06

Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

Several things:

It's possible that the cold vs. warm air mix door or actuator is going bad for the driver's side.

Also: air on the driver's side (with the passenger temp set to the middle) will be a little warmer anyway. The air, when the car has been sitting in the sun, picks up more heat from the greater amount of ductwork that it has to go through to get to the driver's side.

One of the tech guys can fill you in with more specifics.

Aug 21, 2002 | 01:43 PM

unclemeat

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From: Houston, TX

Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

I had exactly the same problem. The dealer tryed replacing all sorts of sensors and other junk. They finally replaced the head unit and that fixed it. Naturally they didn't want to replace the most expensive part first so it took them multiple tries to fix this and days of having my car in the shop. It has worked perfectly since the repair.

Aug 21, 2002 | 01:56 PM

Melting Slicks

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From: East Tennessee

Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

There are two actuator motors, driver side and pass side, that control the temp. Mine did just the opposite, the right side would stay warm. Good news, part is under 100.00, bad news is the top of the dash has to come off to change it. The doors also stick sometimes. See if you have any codes set in the DIC.

Aug 21, 2002 | 10:00 PM

redriverjohn

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Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

This is a symptom of bigger problems ahead. Your left side temperature actuator/motor is not working properly and will probably need to be replaced soon. When it totally fails, whatever position it leaves the temperature door in on that side is the temp air that your going to be stuck with. Mine did this on the right hand side. It is a major repair in that the dash has to come out to get to it. In your case this involves the instrument cluster as well. Were I you, I would make sure that you get this handled before your warranty expires. If you check for DTC codes, you will probably get the following: 99 HVAC B0441 Left Actuator Out of Range H C. You'll only get the "C" (Current) if it's doing it when you check for codes. You should get the "H" (History) for sure since it has been acting up .

Aug 21, 2002 | 11:42 PM

deeb0

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From: Austin TX

Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (redriverjohn)

I didn't get that code or any HVAC codes(but I found some other ones I'm investigating, yuck). Looks like I might be taking my car in for something else, so I'll have them look at this too. Yuck, again.

Aug 22, 2002 | 01:14 AM

redriverjohn

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Re: Anyone have this problem with their 'automatic' A/C? (deeb0)

deeb0,

Well, I would have lost that bet. Just when you think you have some things figured out! Your description sounded just like what mine was dong before the right side actuator failed on my car. I was getting the code that I stated above (except for the right side). Could be that yours is not bad enough yet to be setting a code. Mine eventually failed totally and when it did, I got lukewarm air on the passenger side all of the time and cold air on the driver side. (which is what it was set for). Since I got the code and changed the actuator, it has been fine. It only takes about 2 minutes to change the part, but it takes about two hours to get to it! Good luck and sorry I steered you wrong.