2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC/Heater Problem

[dcasselberry]

We had a warmer day here today, and I turned my air conditioner on, and set the control for air to the passenger and driver vents, but nothing would come out. If I set it for the floor or windshield setting, air came out just fine. No setting that directed air directly toward driver/passengers would allow any air to come out. Same was true if I switched to heat. Any ideas what's going on here, and what it will involve to fix? You can definitely hear the fan running, but it's almost like someone plugged up the vents that aim toward driver/passengers.

 

[rrausch]

If your '96 is like my '95, then the switch behind the rotary knob which controls airflow direction is a vacuum switch. It sounds like the switch is not working in that position. Perhaps a vacuum line snapped or fell off, although that seems unlikely since they are pretty tough. It is also possible the vacuum line fell off of the vacuum actuator which opens/closes the little door behind the glove compartment which controls inside/outside airflow, as that flow is switched (in my '95) when the control knob is switched to flow air out through the dash outlets. That one is easy to check by getting down on the floor in the pass. side and looking up, or by pulling the glove compartment & door.

Somewhere back in the labyrinth of the dash must be another door which controls airflow to the dash outlets. I haven't found that one yet, but perhaps it's easy to find.



I am just beginning to get into this system in my truck, in order to make some changes. Sorry I'm not more knowledgeable, but maybe some other members will chime in here with a better explanation.

 

[dcasselberry]

Robert, many thanks. I'll take a look tomorrow and see if anything might be visibly loose. I hope others may have additional information.