GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

With this system you can control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle.

If your vehicle has the remote start feature and it is activated, the climate control system will automatically cool the vehicle if the temperature is greater than 90°F (32°C) and heat the vehicle if the temperature is below 37°F (3°C). If the temperature is between 37°F (3°C) and 90°F (32°C), the last control setting selected when the engine was running will be used. Normal operation and the last setting of the climate control system will return after the ignition key is turned to the C (RUN) position. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation for more information.


Object Number: 1595316  Size: B1

Automatic Operation

AUTO (Automatic Fan): When this position is selected on the fan control, the system will adjust the fan speed. If the OnStar® system is activated when this position is selected, the fan speed will lower.

AUTO (Automatic Mode)

  1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
  2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
  3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 68°F (21°C) and 78°F (26°C).
  4. Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster. In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle until warmer air is available. The system will start out blowing air at the floor but may change modes automatically as the vehicle warms up to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The length of time needed to warm the interior will depend on the outside temperature.

  5. Wait a few minutes for the system to automatically regulate. Then adjust the temperature as necessary to find your comfort setting.

Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more information on the solar sensor, see "Sensors" later in this section.

After your vehicle is started, the display will show the interior temperature settings.

When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display will show readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the ENG/MET button to toggle between them.

AUTO (Automatic Air Conditioning): If AUTO is selected on the fan or mode control, the system will automatically control the air conditioning compressor. The A/C compressor will run automatically even at cool outside temperatures in order to dehumidify the air. The A/C indicator light will be lit when the system is operating automatically, even at near freezing outside temperatures. Press the A/C button on the fan control to turn off the A/C. For improved window clearing performance in defog or defrost modes, the A/C compressor will run automatically in damp cool conditions.

(Auto Recirculation) : If AUTO is selected on either the fan or mode control, the system will automatically control the air inlet to supply fresh outside air or recirculate the interior air to cool the car faster. The indicator light on the recirculation button will light whenever the system switches to recirculation. You may force outside air by pressing the button when the light is lit. The next time AUTO fan or mode is selected, the air inlet will reset back to AUTO operation.

Manual Operation

(Fan): Turn the left knob either to the left or right to adjust the fan speed. Turning this control completely counterclockwise will turn on the automatic fan operation. If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. For more information, see Passenger Compartment Air Filter and Scheduled Maintenance .

(Off): Turn the left control to this position to turn the entire climate control system off.

To change the current mode, select one of the following positions using the right control:

(Vent): Turn the control to this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets.

(Bi-Level): Turn the control to this mode to direct approximately half of the air to the instrument panel outlets and most of the remaining air to the floor outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.

(Floor): Turn the control to this mode to direct most of the air to the floor outlets with some air directed to the side window outlets and the windshield. The mode control can also be used to select the floor/defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can be found later in this section.

(Recirculation): Press this button to keep outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to help cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off. When the button is pressed, an indicator light will come on.

(Driver's Temperature Controls) : Press these buttons next to the fan control to manually increase or decrease the temperature inside your vehicle.

(Passenger's Temperature Controls): Press these buttons next to the mode control to manually increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger. If the passenger's climate control system is off, pressing one of these buttons will turn it on.

PASS (Passenger's Climate Control): Press this button to turn the passenger's climate control systems on or off. If the PASS button is pressed to turn the passenger temperature setting off, the driver's temperature setting will control the temperature for the entire vehicle.

(Outside Air): This mode allows outside air to enter the vehicle. It can be used to prevent the inside from becoming too dry. Press this button to turn outside air on. Pressing the recirculation button will cancel this mode. When the button is pressed, an indicator light will turn on.

(Air Conditioning): Press this button to override the automatic system and turn the air conditioning system on or off. When in AUTO, the air conditioning compressor will come on automatically, as necessary.

The air conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so you may notice a small amount of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

Sensors


Object Number: 1674663  Size: B3

The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, middle of the instrument panel, monitors the solar radiation. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system will not work properly.

There is also an interior temperature sensor located next to the steering wheel that measures the temperature of the air inside your vehicle.

There is also an exterior temperature sensor located behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air temperature and helps maintain the temperature inside the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle could cause a false reading in the displayed temperature.

In order to prevent false temperature readings at startup, the displayed temperature will not change until the following occurs:

    • Vehicle speed is above 10 mph (16 k/mh) for 5 minutes.
    • Vehicle speed is above 32 mph (51 k/mh) for 2 and a half minutes.

The climate control system uses the information from these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the air delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The recirculation mode will also be used as needed to maintain cool outlet temperatures.

Defogging and Defrosting

Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This can be minimized if the climate control system is used properly. There are two modes to clear fog from your windshield, defog and defrost.

(Floor/Defog): Use this mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and to warm the passengers. Turning the control to this mode directs approximately half of the air to the floor outlets and the remaining air is directed to the side window outlets and to the windshield. When you select this mode, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the floor/defog mode.

(Defrost): Use this mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly. Turning the control to this mode directs most of the air to the windshield and the side window outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically turn off recirculation and run the air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while in the defrost mode. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the rear window.

(Rear Defogger): Press this button to turn the rear window defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button will come on to let you know that the rear window defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible. The rear window defogger will only work when the ignition is in RUN. The rear window defogger will stay on for approximately 20 minutes after the button is pressed if you are traveling at slower vehicle speeds. At higher vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger will only run for approximately 10 minutes before turning off. The defogger can be turned off by pressing the button again, by turning the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN, or by turning off the engine.

The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on. See Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror for more information.

Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.