GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The HVAC control module commands right air temperature actuator movement with one of three voltage signals applied to the right air temperature door control circuit. A low voltage of 0 volts moves the right air temperature door toward full hot. A voltage of 2.5 volts stops the actuator. A voltage of 5 volts moves the right air temperature door toward full cold. The HVAC control module determines the current position of the actuator by monitoring the feedback voltage of the right air temperature door position signal circuit. The feedback potentiometer position is a function of the actuator position. A high voltage indicates a full cold right air temperature door position. A low voltage indicates a full hot right air temperature door position. The HVAC control module controls the right air temperature door position in order to maintain the selected air temperature.

Whenever the HVAC control module keep alive memory battery power is interrupted, the HVAC control module will perform a recalibration of the actuators. During recalibration, the HVAC control module will drive the actuators to their minimum and maximum travel extremes. The HVAC control module will then calculate a travel range from this data and compare it to a calibrated range within the HVAC control module. If the actual travel range is not within the calibrated expected range, the actuator will be considered not calibrated and the DTC will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is turned ON.
    • The HVAC control module power must be interrupted.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The right air temperature actuator actual total travel range (max-min) is less than or greater than the calibrated limits.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The HVAC control module will continue to make use of whatever right air temperature actuator travel range is still available.
    • Each time the ignition switch is turned ON the HVAC control module will perform a recalibration of the actuator.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The right air temperature actuator travel range error must be corrected.

Diagnostic Aids

    • The range fault code can only be detected following a check of the right air temperature actuator travel range. The right air temperature actuator travel range check can only be initiated by disrupting power to the HVAC control module (disconnecting the battery) or with the scan tool.
    • The calibration limit is 147-220 counts (2.9-4.4 V). An actual range below this limit suggests an obstruction (something stuck in the door limiting travel). An actual range above this limit suggests an over travel condition (damaged or missing foam seals).

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: HVAC Schematics

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Automatic

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, command the Right Mix Motor ON and OFF to display the maximum and the minimum counts of the RH Mix Motor Position Feedback in the Heating and Air Conditioning, Special Functions, Miscellaneous Test list.
  4. Subtract the minimum RH Mix Motor Position Feedback from the maximum RH Mix Motor Position Feedback

Does the result of the calculation indicate that the actual travel of the right air temperature actuator is within the specified range?

147-251 counts

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

Test the ignition 3 voltage circuit of the right air temperature actuator for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 4

4

Test the right air temperature door control circuit of the right air temperature actuator for an open, high resistance, short to ground or short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Test the 5 volt reference circuit of the right air temperature actuator for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

6

Important: Ensure that the right air temperature actuator connector and the HVAC control module connectors are connected during this step in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the RH Mix Motor Position Feedback data parameter.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the air temperature door control circuit and the 5 volt reference circuit of the right air temperature actuator (drives the actuator full HOT).
  4. Remove and reconnect the jumper wire between the air temperature door control circuit and the low reference circuit of the right air temperature actuator (drives the actuator full COOL).

Does the right air temperature actuator drive shaft rotate and do the counts change?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

7

  1. Measure the voltage from the right air temperature door control circuit of the right air temperature actuator to a good ground.
  2. With a scan tool, command the Right Temp Door Position from Hot to Cold.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value when increasing temperature, near the specified value when decreasing temperature and near the specified value when stationary?

0 V decreasing

5 V increasing

2.5 V stationary

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 10

8

Inspect the right air temperature door and the right air temperature actuator for the following conditions:

    • Misaligned right air temperature actuator. Refer to Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Right Side .
    • Broken or binding linkages or right air temperature door
    • Obstruction that prevents the right air temperature door from operating within it's full range of motion
    • Missing seals to the right air temperature door
    • Misaligned seals to the right air temperature door

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Diagnostic Aids

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the right air temperature actuator. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the HVAC control module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Important: Perform the recalibration procedure for the right air temperature actuator.

Replace the right air temperature actuator. Refer to Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Right Side .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Important: Perform the recalibration procedure for the HVAC control module.

Replace the HVAC control module. Refer to HVAC Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK