2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission no dash air

[BClement]

97 3500
I can,t get air through the dashfront vents, only floor and defrost. Is there a motor for control, or is it controlled by vacuum? All other vacuum accessories are working, (pacbrake and bd2low included.
Brad

 

[GAmes]

It's all vacuum. Above the go pedal is the actuator for the dash vents. IIRC it has a yellow vacuum tube going to it. Pull the tube off and see if there is suction with the engine running and the selector to dash. If there is you can manually pull the actuator closed for verification (dash vents will work) but more than likely the billows have a hole in them. A word of caution when you go to replace it, the plastic parts are very brittle. The arm that the actuator hooks to is part of the diversion door. If it breaks, you have to remove the dash and separate the HVAC to fix it. Please don't ask how I know.

 

[BClement]

thanks, I also see another with a red tube. But I want to work with yellow tube, just above the one with the red tube? Can I harm anything if there is resistance to manually operating that?

 

[BClement]

GAmes, I have suction and the door seems to open without resistence. do I replace it at the dealer or is it aftermarket



97 3500 4x4 5 speed 3.54 gears, #10 fuel plate, 4 " turbo back exhaust, pacbrake

 

[GAmes]

If the dealer has one, that would be my recommendation. If not, it is pick & pull yard time. The good news is lots of different vehicles use them (Dakotas, 1500s, etc) so it shouldn't be hard to find. I just replaced the recirculate one that is behind the glove box. When I went to the yard I found two and bought them both. To double check the one you have, carefully remove it, compress the billows and put your finger of the connector hole. If it expands, the billows is torn.

 

[Bob4x4]

Be very careful if you try to robe the vacuume actuator. If you break the lever you just bought auchrr involved tepair

 

[BigPapa]

Be very careful if you try to robe the vacuume actuator. If you break the lever you just bought auchrr involved tepair

Your Swamp People voice recognition software is on the blink again........:-laf

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

This may have something to do with your problem:

http://www.heatertreater.net/magento/dodge/ram/95-02/dodge-ram-95-02.html

 

[Bob4x4]

This may have something to do with your problem:

http://www.heatertreater.net/magento/dodge/ram/95-02/dodge-ram-95-02.html

nope........apply vacuum to the actuator and you will see there is no movement,replace the actuator

 

[jdross440]

I have the same problem that just started. I checked the actuator and it is moving, however it still stays on floor/defrost.

 

[BClement]

I have the same problem that just started. I checked the actuator and it is moving, however it still stays on floor/defrost.

replace the actuator (dealer item) very hard to get to, but remove the panel under the steering wheel. Part is about 71 bucks.......be very careful with the PLASTIC parts!!
Brad Clement
97 3500
97 2500
99 2500
Love 'em all

 

[jdross440]

My actuator is working. It moves a lot and rotates the plastic bracket about 90 degrees but apparently the door inside isn't moving.

 

[BClement]

My actuator is working. It moves a lot and rotates the plastic bracket about 90 degrees but apparently the door inside isn't moving.

just replace the actuator, dealer only part,72 bucks. follow this thread back for actuator testing tips
Brad Clement

 

[jdross440]

The vacuum actuator is working. I had replaced it a couple years ago. If you grab the rod it won't move more than what the vacuum moves it. It is the plastic pivot that goes into the housing that seems to be disconnected from the flapper inside the housing.

 

[BClement]

try disconnecting the pivot arm. move the pivot. push on the actuator,is it moves, then the bellows probably have a leak.

 

[GAmes]

Post # 2 "The arm that the actuator hooks to is part of the diversion door. If it breaks, you have to remove the dash and separate the HVAC to fix it. Please don't ask how I know." That is on a '97. Your '00 might be different.

 

[jdross440]

I found my problem. The flapper the arm moves is broken. The arm is a separate piece from the flapper. I have a new flapper on order. The arm is no longer available from Dodge-figures you can buy the flapper but not the arm. The way I found out is I removed the lower dash cover to the right of the cigar lighter (that has storage in it on manual trucks). Took my 1" whole saw and cut a hole in the AC vent duct. Then I took my borescope and looked inside. I then cut a much bigger rectangular cutout and a couple notches and pulled the old flapper out thru the hole. I then took some of the high temp silver tape that home AC people use to seal with and taped up about 80% of the defrost duct where it leaves the heater box. Then I took the same tape and taped over the hole I had cut in the AC duct. I now have cold air out the vents and a small amount coming out the defrost. When I get the new flapper I can pull the panel again, pull off the tape, unseal the defrost duct and put in the new flapper without ever having to take the dash and heater out of the truck. I will attach pictures.