GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

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

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is turned ON.
    • Ignition voltage is between 9 -16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The air temperature position signal is less than 5 counts.
    • The air temperature position signal is greater than 194  counts.
    • The air temperature actuator actual total travel range max-min is less than or greater than the range limits.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The HVAC control module will continue to make use of whatever air temperature actuator travel range is still available.
    • The DTC is stored in DTC information.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC will become history if the HVAC control module no longer detects a failure.
    • The history DTC will clear after 50 fault free ignition cycles.
    • The DTC can be cleared with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • A damaged or broken air temperature actuator or mode door can cause this DTC to set.
    • If the condition is not present refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference: HVAC Connector End Views

1

Did you review the HVAC operation and perform the necessary inspections?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Automatic

2

  1. Observe the air temperature actuator drive shaft.
  2. Place the air temperature control in the Full Hot and Full Cold position.

Does the air temperature actuator drive shaft rotate for each selected position?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Inspect the air temperature actuator for the following:

    • Incorrectly installed air temperature actuator.
    •  Air temperature actuator broken or binding linkages.
    • Obstruction that prevents the air temperature actuator from operating within its full range of motion.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 5

5

Test the ground circuit of the air temperature actuator for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 6

6

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 7

7

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 8

8

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 9

9

Important: The air temperature actuator connector and the HVAC controller connector must be connected to correctly perform the test.

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Backprobe and monitor the voltage from the air temperature position signal circuit of the air temperature actuator to a good ground.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the air temperature control circuit and the 5 volt reference circuit of the air temperature actuator.
  4. Remove and reconnect the jumper wire between the air temperature control circuit and the ground circuit of the air temperature actuator.

Does the air temperature actuator drive shaft rotate and does the voltage change?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

  1. Backprobe the air temperature actuator connector terminal in order to measure the voltage from the air temperature control circuit to a good ground.
  2. Place the air temperature control in each temperature position.

Does the voltage measure near the specified value when airflow moves toward Full Cold decreasing, near the specified value when airflow moves toward Full Hot increasing, and near the specified value when stationary?

0 V decreasing

5 V increasing

2.5 V stationary

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the 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 15

Go to Step 13

12

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 15

Go to Step 14

13

Replace the air temperature actuator. Refer to Temperature Valve Actuator Replacement - Left Side or Temperature Valve Actuator Replacement - Right Side .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 15

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14

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

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 15

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15

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2