GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The air temperature actuator is an electronic device that incorporates a stepper motor and feedback potentiometer. The HVAC control module determines the position of the air temperature actuator based on the voltage from the potentiometer. Whenever the HVAC control modules keep alive memory battery power is interrupted, the HVAC control module will perform a recalibration of the actuators. The HVAC control module will perform a travel range comparison of the calculated minimum and maximum extremes of the actuator to the calibrated minimum and maximum range extremes within the HVAC control module. If the calculated range does not equal the calibrated expected range the actuator will be considered not calibrated and the DTC will set. The HVAC control module will also perform a continuous test on the current feedback value. If the feedback value does not equal or fall within the calibrated range the DTC will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.
    • The HVAC control modules keep alive memory battery power must be interrupted to run the range check.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The air temperature door position signal is less than 5 counts or greater than 250 counts.
    • The air temperature actuators 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 travel range is still available.
    • Each time the ignition switch is turned ON the HVAC control module will recheck the actuator travel range.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • If the HVAC control module no longer detects a failure, then the DTC will become history.
    • The history DTC will clear after 50 ignition cycles without a failure.
    • The DTC can be cleared with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • The range fault can only be detected following a check of the actuator travel range. The actuator travel range check can only be initiated by disrupting power to the HVAC control module.
    • The calibration limit is 64 to 216 counts. 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).
    • A damaged or broken air temperature door and or actuator can cause this DTC to set.
    • If condition not present refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: HVAC Schematics

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Automatic

2

  1. Install the scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With the scan tool, observe the Mix Door Max Position data parameter and the Mix Door Min Position data parameter in the Primary ECC Data list.
  4. Subtract the Mix Door Min Position from the Mix Door Max Position.

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

64-216 Counts

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 8

3

  1. With the scan tool, command the air temperature actuator from HOT (Off) to COLD (On).
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Air Mix Door Actual data parameter in the Primary ECC data list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Air Mix Door Actual data parameter is within the specified range?

5-250 Counts

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 4

4

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 13

Go to Step 5

5

Test the 5 volt reference circuit of the air temperature actuator for a 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 6

6

Test the air temperature door position signal circuit of the 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 7

7

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

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Air Mix Door Actual data parameter in the Primary ECC Data list.
  3. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the air temperature actuator door control circuit and the 5-volt reference circuit of the air temperature actuator (drives the actuator full COOL).
  4. Remove and reconnect the jumper wire between the air temperature actuator door control circuit and the ground circuit of the air temperature actuator (drives the actuator full HOT).

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

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

8

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

    • Incorrectly installed air temperature actuator.
    • Broken or binding linkages or air temperature door.
    • Obstruction that prevents the air temperature door from operating within it's full range of motion.

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 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 for the air temperature actuator.

Replace the air temperature actuator. Refer to Air Temperature Actuator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Important:: Perform the recalibration 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