GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The recirculation actuator is an electronic stepper motor. The HVAC control module (IPM) supplies power and ground to the actuator. The IPM controls the direction of the recirculation actuator by changing the polarity of the control circuits. When the actuator reaches its desired position, both circuits are fixed to the same value (9.5 to 12 volts). The IPM determines the door position by counting pulses (voltage fluctuations) caused by the brush to commutator action generated during normal motor operation. The IPM monitors a voltage drop across an internal resistance to detect the pulses. The IPM converts the pulses to counts with a range of 0 to 255 counts.

When a calibration or recalibration procedure is performed, the IPM calculates the recirculation door travel range. The IPM commands the actuator to each extreme position and counts the total number of pulses. The IPM compares the total number of pulses to calibrated limits. If the total pulse count is less than or equal to the maximum calibrated limit and greater than or equal to the minimum calibrated limit, then the calibration is considered successful.

Conditions for Running the DTC

This DTC runs during and after the next range check following the setting of DTC B0248.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The IPM does not detect any movement of the recirculation actuator.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The IPM will recalibrate the recirculation actuator each time the ignition switch is turned ON.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The DTC will become history if the IPM 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

    • Inspect the recirculation door and recirculation actuator for the following conditions:
       - A misaligned recirculation actuator. Refer to Recirculation Actuator Replacement .
       - Broken or binding linkages or recirculation door
       - Obstruction that prevents the recirculation door from operating within its full range of motion
       - Missing seals to the recirculation door
       - Misaligned seals to the recirculation door
    • Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step verifies that the IPM is able to command the recirculation actuator through its full range of motion. When commanded to the outside air position, the scan tool may initially display a value above 231 counts. This is considered normal.

  2. This step verifies that the IPM has successfully calibrated the recirculation actuator.

  3. If the actuator does not move at all, the problem is likely to be the drive circuitry within the IPM, the actuator, or the wiring harness. If the actuator does move, but not within its full range of motion, the problem is likely to be a mechanical binding of the recirculation door or recirculation door linkage.

  4. This step drives the actuator to the recirculation position. The recirculation actuator will not move if the recirculation door is in already at the extreme position.

  5. This step drives the actuator to the outside air position.

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 the scan tool, command the recirculation actuator to RECIRC. and to OUTSIDE AIR.
  4. Observe the Air Inlet Dr. Actual parameter.

Does the scan tool indicate that the value of the Air Inlet Dr. Actual parameter changes from the minimum specified value to the maximum specified value?

0 Counts

255 Counts

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

With a scan tool observe the Air Inlet Dr. Cal. Status parameter in the Instrument Panel Module data list.

Does the scan tool display Cal OK?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 8

4

Does the scan tool indicate that the value of the Air Inlet Dr. Actual parameter changes by more than the specified value?

0-3 Counts

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

Test the recirculation door control A circuit and the recirculation door control B circuit for an open, 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 13

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the IPM.
  3. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper wire between the recirculation door control A circuit of the recirculation actuator and battery positive voltage.
  4. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper wire between the recirculation door control B circuit of the recirculation actuator and a good ground.

Does the recirculation actuator shaft rotate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper wire between the recirculation door control B circuit of the recirculation actuator and battery positive voltage.
  2. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper wire between the recirculation door control A circuit of the recirculation actuator and a good ground.

Does the recirculation actuator shaft rotate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect the recirculation door and recirculation actuator for the following conditions:

  1. A misaligned recirculation actuator. Refer to Recirculation Actuator Replacement .
  2. Broken or binding linkages or recirculation door
  3. Obstruction that prevents the recirculation door from operating within its full range of motion
  4. Missing seals to the recirculation door
  5. Misaligned seals to the recirculation door

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the recirculation 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 IPM. 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 recirculation actuator.

Replace the recirculation actuator. Refer to Recirculation Actuator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Important: Perform the recalibration procedure for the IPM.

Replace the IPM. 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 3

System OK