Blend Door

[Johnny O]

Lately it seems that my heater/AC is blowing out the defroster vents virtually all the time no matter where the knob is set. Summer is coming and I'll need my A/C. I'm told this is a function of the blend door or whatever controls it. Any thoughts? Can I fix it myself or is this a dealer job?

 

[Todd Z]

Its a joke to change...... Took me about 20 min start to finish at night with a flash light.



Do it your self.



And the part is not expensive.



Todd Z

 

[Johnny O]

Thanks. Is it behind the radio or where?

 

[Richard McAlister]

I had the same problem last summer, albeit only occasionally, then only for a few seconds then it would return to the proper vents.



Any help with a how-to-do-it?

 

[swshawaii]

 

[Mrlunchbox]

That really is a joke! Ha ha

 

[Todd Z]

https://youtu.be/p5xvlbiaxF4

 

[Scott Tanner]

on a gen1, these symptions are indicative of a vacuum leak going to the controls- check your hoses, gen 1s are on the passenger side 1/2 way up the engine

 

[Gavin Allan]

Gen 2 vacuum check valve is part of the entire vacuum line assembly for HVAC.

 

[Johnny O]

Took the side piece off the console and didn't see anything that looked like that controller, just a heater duct. Maybe that was for a Gen 1.

 

[Todd Z]

Johnny,



Its there, I just did one on a 2007 Last week.



Todd Z

 

[Johnny O]

I went to the dealer today since I couldn't find the controller. Their diagnosis is a broken control arm on the blend door which requires replacing the entire HVAC plenum, which requires removing the seats and dash to get to, which requires $1583.00. :throwup: So I'll live with the A/C coming out of the defroster vents for now. Or I'll take the side piece off the console again and take a pic for Todd Z so he can tell me what to look for.

 

[Johnny O]

Update.

Took the Trac to my bud's shop this week since it needed some other work done and got a second opinion. He confirmed the broken blend door arm BUT was able drill it a little farther down and attach it to the blend door with a wire tie. Also he found a broken vacuum valve and replaced that. Everything works as it should for much less than $1500 and is guaranteed (in his words) for 10 years or 10 minutes, whichever comes first.



Also new rear brakes and rotors which I had already bought for last year's inspection but didn't need new rear calipers because the originals were totally frozen up and not functioning at all, and flushed the brake fluid. I KNEW I was pushing the brake pedal harder. :driving: