GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle may have an automatic climate control system. With this system you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.

This is the display for the automatic climate control system.


Object Number: 1202427  Size: B2
  1. Selected temperature

  2. Defroster indicator

  3. Air distribution mode indicator

  4. Air conditioning indicator

  5. Outside temperature display mode indicator

  6. AUTO mode indicator

  7. Outside air mode indicator

  8. Recirculation mode indicator

  9. Fan operation indicator

  10. Fan speed indicator

Automatic Operation


Object Number: 1202429  Size: B1

If your vehicle has this feature, do the following to set automatic operation:

AUTO (Automatic): Press the AUTO button for automatic control of the inside temperature, the air delivery mode and the fan speed. The AUTO mode indicator will appear on the display.

OFF: Press this button to turn the system off.

To set the desired temperature, do the following:

Press the AUTO button.

Turn the temperature control knob until the desired temperature is displayed. You can set the desired temperature between 64°F (18°C) and 90°F (32°C).

Turn the knob clockwise to increase the desired temperature by 1°F (0.5°C). Turn the knob counterclockwise to decrease the desired temperature by 1°F (0.5°C).

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.

Manual Operation

(Fan): Press the up arrow to increase the fan speed and the down arrow to decrease the fan speed. AUTO mode is cancelled when this button is pressed.

MODE: Press this button repeatedly to cycle through and choose the mode of air delivery into the vehicle. The system will stay in the selected mode until MODE is pressed again or until the AUTO button is pressed. Whenever MODE is pressed, the display will show the current system settings for five seconds before returning the display to the exterior temperature.

(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 the remaining air to the floor outlets.

(Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the floor outlets. If your vehicle has rear outlets, some of the air will also be directed to them. Be sure to keep the area under the front seats clear to allow the flow of air to the rear compartment. The mode button can also be used to select the 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 heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on or off. Using the recirculation mode for extended periods may cause your windows to fog. If this happens, select the defrost mode.

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to override the automatic system and turn the air conditioning system on or off. When A/C is pressed, the indicator light on the display panel will come on to let you know that it is activated. Press this button again to turn the air conditioning system off, or press the OFF button to turn the entire system off. On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system to operate more efficiently. For quick cool down on hot days, press the AUTO button and the system will automatically enter recirculation mode and the temperature will be at the full cold position for maximum cooling. Using these settings together for long periods of time may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off. The air conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

Outside Temperature: To display the outside temperature, press the temperature control knob. Pressing this knob again will cancel the outside temperature display, otherwise the display will return to the temperature inside of the vehicle after about five seconds. The outside temperature sensor is located near the front bumper, so the displayed temperature may be affected by road or engine heat while the vehicle is idling or traveling at slow speeds. For this reason, the displayed temperature will be most accurate at speeds over 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sensors


Object Number: 1202425  Size: B3

The solar sensor (A) on your vehicle monitors solar radiation and uses the information to maintain the selected temperature by initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery system. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of the instrument panel, near the windshield, or the system will not work properly.


Object Number: 1202426  Size: B3

There is also a temperature sensor located beside the audio system on the driver's side of the vehicle. This sensor reads the inside air temperature and helps to establish ventilation system requirements while operating in AUTO mode. Do not cover the temperature sensor or the system will not work properly.

Defogging and Defrosting

Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity or 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 or frost from your 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.

(Defog): Press the MODE button until the defog symbol appears on the automatic climate control system display. This mode directs most of the air to the windshield and the floor outlets. A small amount of air is also directed to the outboard outlets for the side windows.

To help clear the side windows quickly, do the following:

  1. Select the bi-level mode.
  2. Select the highest fan speed.
  3. Select A/C.
  4. Select the temperature.
(Defrost): Press the defrost button to select the defrost function. Pressing this button directs the air to the windshield and the outboard outlets for the side windows.

To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following:

  1. Select the defrost mode.
  2. Select the highest temperature.
  3. Select the highest fan speed.

Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.

To cancel defrost, press the MODE or AUTO buttons. If you press the AUTO button, the system will operate automatically.

Rear Window and Outside Mirror Defogger

Your vehicle has a rear window and outside mirror defogger. This feature will only work when the ignition is turned to ON.

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the rear window. Before using this feature, clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.

(Rear): Press this button to turn the rear window and outside mirror defogger on or off. The button is located below the audio system. An indicator light in the button will come on to let you know that the feature is activated.

The rear window and outside mirror defogger will turn off about 15 minutes after the button is pressed. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.

Notice: Do not use anything sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.

Front Heated Windshield

Your vehicle may have a heated front windshield which can be used to defrost it. This feature will only work when the ignition is turned to ON.

There is a heated element along the bottom of the windshield used to heat the windshield.

(Rear): Press this button to heat the windshield. The button is located below the audio system. An indicator light in the button will come on to let you know that the feature is activated.

The front windshield heater will turn off about 10 minutes after the button is pressed. It can also be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.