GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The auxiliary mode actuator is an electronic device that incorporates a stepper motor and feedback potentiometer. The rear auxiliary HVAC control module controls the auxiliary mode door position by sending a control signal to the actuator. The signal's value is dependent upon the desired mode selected by the vehicle occupants. As the actuator moves, the potentiometer produces the actual door position signal that is sent to the rear auxiliary HVAC control module. The rear auxiliary HVAC control module continues to command the actuator to move until the desired and actual values are equal. The door directs airflow through the outlets as selected by the vehicles occupants.

After a calibration or recalibration procedure is performed, the rear auxiliary HVAC control module calculates the mode actuator travel range. The rear auxiliary HVAC control module commands the actuator through it's full range. The rear auxiliary HVAC control module stores the learned minimum and maximum position values. The travel range value is calculated by subtracting the minimum and maximum position values. Then the rear auxiliary HVAC control module compares the travel range, minimum and maximum values to calibrated value ranges. If the travel range value 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. The rear auxiliary HVAC control module continuously compares the actual actuator position to the calibrated minimum and maximum position values.

Conditions for Running the DTC

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

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • Auxiliary mode actuator position signal is less than 5 counts.
    • Auxiliary mode actuator position signal is more than 250 counts.
    • The recirculation actuators total travel range (min-max) is less than or greater than the calibrated limits.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The DTC is stored in DTC information.
    • The HVAC control module will continue to make use of whatever travel range is still available.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • If the auxiliary rear 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 (recalibration procedure) can only be initiated by disrupting power to the HVAC control module.
    • A short to voltage on the 5 volt reference circuit or lower mode valve position sensor signal circuit of the auxiliary mode actuator will set a DTC B0429 along with DTC B3764. Refer to DTC B0429 Air Mix Door #3 Range Error .

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: HVAC Air Delivery/Temperature Control Schematics

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check

2

  1. Install the scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With the scan tool, observe the auxiliary mode door max. position data parameter and the auxiliary mode door min. position data parameter in the Auxiliary ECC Data List
  4. Subtract the auxiliary mode door min. position from the auxiliary mode door max. position.

Does the result of the calculation indicate that the actual travel of the auxiliary mode actuator is within the specified range?

100-220  counts

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 8

3

  1. With the scan tool, command the auxiliary mode actuator from upper outlets to floor.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the auxiliary mode actuator actual position.

Does the scan tool indicate that the auxiliary mode actuator actual parameter changes within the specified range when it is commanded from upper outlets to floor?

5-250  counts

Go to diagnostic aids

Go to Step 4

4

Test the auxiliary mode door actuator ground circuit 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 auxiliary mode actuator for 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

Test the lower mode valve position sensor signal circuit for an open, 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 auxiliary mode actuator connector and the HVAC control module connector must be connected to correctly perform this test.

  1. Turn on the ignition, with the engine off.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the auxiliary mode actuator actual parameter in the Primary ECC Data List.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the auxiliary mode door motor control circuit of the auxiliary mode actuator and the 5 volt reference circuit of the auxiliary mode actuator (drives the door to floor).
  4. Remove and reconnect the jumper wire between the auxiliary mode door control circuit of the auxiliary mode actuator to the ground circuit of the mode actuator (drives the door to upper outlets).

Does the drive shaft of the auxiliary mode actuator rotate and do the counts change?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8

Inspect the auxiliary mode door and the auxiliary mode actuator for the following .

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the auxiliary mode 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 rear auxiliary 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

Replace the auxiliary mode actuator.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Important: Perform the travel range check (recalibration procedure) for the HVAC control module.

Replace the rear auxiliary HVAC control module. Refer to Control Assembly Replacement - Auxiliary .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

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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