GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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

Automatic Operation

Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown, Vehicles Without Similar


Object Number: 1400577  Size: B2
AUTO (Automatic): When this button is pressed and the temperature is set, the system will automatically control the inside temperature, the air delivery mode, the air conditioning compressor, and the fan speed. AUTO will appear on the display next to the fan, mode indicators, and recirculation indicator if your vehicle has a air quality sensor.

  1. Press the AUTO button.
  2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting, generally, between 70°F (21°C) and 80°F (27°C).
  3. Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster. If the system is set at the warmest temperature setting, the system will try to continuously heat the vehicle and will not adjust the system down as the vehicle warms up.

    In cold weather, the system can start at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into the vehicle until warmer air is available. The system starts out blowing air at the floor, but can automatically change modes as the vehicle warms up to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The length of time needed for warm up depends on the outside temperature and the length of time that has elapsed since the vehicle was last driven.

  4. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from 10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature, if necessary.

You can switch from English to metric units through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Controls and Displays .

The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so some water might drip underneath the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

Manual Operation

(Mode): Pressing the mode switch and changing the mode cancels automatic operation and allows the operator to manually select the air delivery location. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation. The outboard air outlets always receive airflow regardless of the mode selected. See Outlet Adjustment to change this airflow from the outboard outlets.

To change the current mode, select one of the following:

(Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument panel outlets.

(Bi-Level): This mode directs about half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, and then directs 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): This mode directs most of the air to the floor outlets with some air directed to the outboard outlets, and a little air directed to the windshield and side windows. The mode switch can also be used to select the defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can be found later in this section.

(Fan): Press this switch to increase or decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels automatic operation and allows the operator to manually select the amount of airflow. Press AUTO to return to automatic 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 .

(Recirculation): Press this button to control the air source for the climate control system. If in AUTO mode, press this button once to select recirculation. This mode keeps outside air from coming in the vehicle and recirculates the air in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering the vehicle or to help cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly. Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode and shuts off when defog mode is selected. Both of these features are designed to limit fogging in the vehicle. If recirculation is selected during defog mode, it automatically turns off after 10 minutes to limit problems with fogging. In some conditions, using recirculation for long periods of time can cause the air inside the vehicle to become too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from happening, after the air in the vehicle has cooled, select AUTO to return to automatic climate control operation or push the recirculation button again to select outside air. Press this button a second time to select outside air.

(Outside Air): This mode forces the system to pull air from outside the vehicle. It can be used to bring fresh air into the vehicle.

Air Quality Sensor: Your vehicle could have an air quality sensor to help limit the climate control system from pulling in some harmful exhaust fumes from older, poorly running, or diesel-equipped vehicles that are driving near you. This sensor, when active, monitors the air quality in front of your vehicle and switches to air recirculation when poor quality air is detected outside your vehicle. Press the AUTO button on the climate control to activate the air quality sensor. The word AUTO comes on the center of the climate control display. While the air quality sensor senses poor quality air, the recirculation graphic displays. Under some conditions, the air quality sensor system does not operate. In cold weather, the system might not be active (even if AUTO is displayed) because of concerns of fogging your windows, which may occur by activating recirculation mode. Also, the air quality sensor system does not remain in recirculation mode for extended periods of time that could cause stuffy or very dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a poorly running vehicle for an extended period of time may not keep recirculation active indefinitely. The air quality sensor does not activate due to organic odors, like skunk, and may not activate on many chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these types of odors, manually select recirculation. Your vehicle could also have a charcoal filter that can limit many odors from being pulled into your vehicle. This filter, like your engines air cleaner filter, needs to be changed periodically. See Scheduled Maintenance . The air quality sensor system does not protect against carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. See Engine Exhaust .

(Power Driver's Temperature): Press the power button located on the driver's side of the climate control panel to turn the entire climate control system on or off. Turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.

(Power Passenger's Temperature): Press the power button located on the passenger's side of the climate control panel to turn the passenger's climate control system on if they wish to have a different setting than the driver. Turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger. Turning the passenger's side power button off will not shut off the climate control system for the passenger. The system is set to the same setting as the driver.

(Ventilated Seat): Press this button, to turn on the driver or passenger's side ventilated seat, if the vehicle has this feature. See Heated and Ventilated Seats .

(Heated Seat): Press this button, to turn on the driver or passenger's side heated seat and seatback, if the vehicle has this feature. See Heated and Ventilated Seats .

(Air Conditioning): Press this button to manually turn off the air conditioning compressor. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation or press the A/C OFF button again. To limit fogging on the windshield, the air conditioning compressor cannot be off while in the defrost mode.

Sensors


Object Number: 1455727  Size: B3

There is a solar sensor located on the instrument panel, near the windshield.

There is also an interior temperature sensor located next to the steering wheel on the instrument panel.

These sensors monitor the solar radiation and the air inside the vehicle, then use the information to adjust the temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery system, in order to maintain the selected temperature. The system may also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. Do not cover the sensors or the automatic climate control system will not work properly.

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 the windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.

(Mode): Press this button until defog appears on the display.

(Defog): This mode directs the air between the windshield and floor outlets with some air supplied to the outboard panel outlets and side window defogging outlets. When this mode is selected, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation mode is cancelled when the system enters the defog mode. If recirculation is selected while in the defog mode, it is cancelled after 10 minutes. If there is fogging on the side windows, remain in defog or defrost mode until they clear.

(Defrost): Press this button to direct most of the air to the windshield, with some air directed to the side windows and outboard panel outlets. In this mode, the system automatically turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while in the defrost mode. This mode can also cause the fan speed and air temperature to increase.

Rear Window Defogger

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

The rear window defogger only works when the ignition is on or during remote start, if programmed. See "Personal Settings Menu" under Vehicle Personalization for additional information.

(Rear Window Defogger): Press this button to turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.

The rear window defogger turns off about 10 minutes after the button is pressed. If the vehicle's speed is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger stays on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs for about five minutes before turning off. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.

The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on. See Outside Power Heated Mirrors .

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.