GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The air delivery description and operation is divided into 6 areas:

    â€¢  HVAC Control Components
    â€¢ Air Speed
    â€¢ Auxiliary Air Speed
    â€¢ Air Distribution
    â€¢ Auxiliary Air Delivery
    â€¢ Recirculation Operation

HVAC Control Components

HVAC Control Assembly

The HVAC control assembly is a non-class 2 device that interfaces between the operator and the HVAC system to maintain air temperature and distribution settings. The ignition 3 voltage circuit provides power to the control assembly. Two integrated potentiometers control air temperature door position and blower motor speed. The integrated vacuum system controls the mode door position. The control assembly supports the following features:

Feature

Availability

Afterblow

No

Purge

No

Personalization

No

Actuator Calibration

No

Auxiliary HVAC Control Processor

The auxiliary HVAC control processor controls all outputs for the auxiliary HVAC system. The auxiliary HVAC control processor receives inputs from the front and rear auxiliary HVAC control assemblies. The auxiliary HVAC control processor does not utilize Class 2 communications. If the auxiliary HVAC control processor receives a 12 volt varied voltage input for an auxiliary air temperature actuator change request. Then the auxiliary HVAC control processor creates a 12 volt varied output for control of the auxiliary air temperature actuator.

Auxiliary Mode Actuator

The auxiliary mode actuator is a 3 wire bi-directional electric motor. Ignition 3 voltage, ground and control circuits enable the actuator to operate. The control circuit uses a 0-12 volt linear-ramped signal to command the actuator movement. The 0 and 12 volt control values represent the opposite limits of the actuator range of motion. The values in between 0 and 12 volts correspond to the positions between the limits. When the HVAC control assembly sets a commanded, or targeted, value, the control signal is set to a value between 0-12 volts. The actuator shaft rotates until the commanded position is reached. The module will maintain the control value until a new commanded value is needed.

Air Speed

The HVAC control assembly applies voltage to the blower motor control circuit that corresponds to the selected blower speed. The resistors and the blower motor are in a series circuit. The following list represents the number of resistors in series with the blower motor per particular speed request:

    â€¢ Low speed-3 resistors
    â€¢ Medium 1 speed-2 resistors
    â€¢ Medium 2 speed-1 resistor

When the operator requests High speed, the HVAC control assembly applies voltage to the blower motor relay through the high blower motor control circuit. The voltage energizes the blower motor relay, connecting the blower motor to battery positive voltage.

Auxiliary Air Speed

The auxiliary HVAC control assembly applies voltage to the auxiliary blower motor control circuit that corresponds to the selected blower speed. The resistors and the blower motor are in a series circuit. The following list represents the number of resistors in series with the blower motor per particular speed request:

    â€¢ Low speed-2 resistors
    â€¢ Medium speed-1 resistor

When the operator requests High speed, the HVAC control assembly applies voltage to the blower motor relay through the auxiliary high blower motor control circuit. The voltage energizes the blower motor relay, connecting the blower motor to battery positive voltage.

Air Distribution

Vacuum Pump

The electric vacuum pump supplies vacuum to the HVAC module. When the ignition is ON, voltage is supplied to the vacuum pump from the HVAC fuse. The ground is supplied to the vacuum pump from the chassis. When the ignition is ON, the HVAC doors function properly.

Mode Switch

The mode switch is a rotary vacuum valve that directly applies vacuum to the appropriate vacuum actuator. Use the mode switch to change the air delivery mode in the vehicle.

MAX A/C-If Equipped

When the operator selects MAX A/C, the mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Brown vacuum line, making the vent door open. The recirculation actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Orange vacuum line, making the recirculation door close and allowing air to be recirculated. A/C is forced ON.

A/C-If Equipped

When the operator selects A/C, the mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Brown vacuum line, making the vent door open. A/C is forced ON.

Bi-Level Mode

When the operator selects Bi-Level, the following occurs:

    â€¢ The mode actuator is in neutral position.
    â€¢ The defrost actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Yellow vacuum line.
    â€¢ The defrost actuator closes the defrost door, thus opening the heater door though mechanical linkage.
    â€¢ Vacuum is bled off the mode actuator and the vent door is held stationary in the half open position.

Vent Mode

When the operator selects VENT, the mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Yellow vacuum line, making the vent door open.

Floor Mode

When the operator selects FLOOR, the defrost actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Pink vacuum line, pulling the defrost door closed and opening the heater door through mechanical linkage.

Mix-Blend Mode

When the operator selects Mix-Blend, the following occurs:

    â€¢ Vacuum is bled off the defrost actuator, holding the defrost door stationary in the half-open position. The heater door is also held stationary in the half-open position through mechanical linkage.
    â€¢ A/C is forced ON.
    â€¢ Recirculation is not available.

Defrost Mode

When the operator selects Defrost, the following occurs:

    â€¢ The defrost actuator has vacuum applied to it through the Blue vacuum line, pushing the defrost door open and closing the heater door through mechanical linkage.
    â€¢ A/C is forced ON.
    â€¢ Recirculation is not available.

Auxiliary Air Distribution

The HVAC control assembly controls the mode actuator in order to distribute airflow to a desired outlet. When the mode door is moved to the defrost position, the A/C compressor clutch engages and the recirculation actuator will be moved to the outside air position. Regardless of the mode setting, a small amount of air will be diverted to the defrost ducts to reduce windshield fogging. When VENT is selected, the following will occur:

    â€¢ The mode actuator will be moved to the panel position.
    â€¢ The recirculation actuator will be placed in the outside air position.
    â€¢ The A/C compressor will be commanded off.

Recirculation Operation

When the operator selects Recirculation, the HVAC control assembly connects the recirculation door vacuum actuator to the vacuum source. The recirculation actuator retracts, closing the recirculation door. The recirculation operation can function with blower motor in either the ON or OFF position. Recirculation will continue until either outside air is selected or the next ignition cycle. Recirculation is not available in Defrost and Mix-Blend mode.