2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission HVAC Recirculation Door Actuator

[CTD12V]

Why did Dodge make such a step backward in their climate controls when they switched to the 98-02 interior style? I want to control the recirculate function independant of the vent position, dadgumit! OK, end of rant.



Anyways, I'm sure some of you have come up with some ingenious ways to overide this engineering "mistake". Has anyone replaced the vacuum motor with an electric motor or solenoid and a switch to actuate the recirc door? I suppose some sort of vacuum switch could be installed in the vacuum line, but I don't know enough about vacuum components to know how. Any suggestions or insight from successful projects?



I haven't been able to turn up any info in old threads on this particular aspect, so if anybody knows of a thread that specifically talks about this, let me know. I'm tired of the heater blowing barely heated air on my freezing feet. Thanks a bunch!



CTD12V

 

[w gilmer]

hvac controls

I LIVE IN ALASKA AND I AM INTERESTED ALSO AS HOW TO GET MORE HEAT. ON A TRIP TO FAIRBANKS AT -35F THE ONLY I COULD STAY SOMEWHAT WARM WAS TO MAX HEAT AND PLACE FAN SELECTOR ON MAX A/C. BUT THIS CREATED ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE WINDOWS WOULD FOG IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. HAD TO KEEP SHIFTING EVER 2-3 MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO GET AROUND 50 DEG RISE WHEN ON MAX AIR DUE TO 100% recurlication. but to much moisture in cab caused window to fog. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW A PERSON COULD MODIFY ALSO. THANKS FOR ANY INFO.

 

[CTD12V]

Shoot, hasn't anybody done anything like this on a 98?



WGilmer, what year is your rig? I wonder if we could figure out a way to get variable control on the recirc door, so that it could be mostly in the recirc position but drawing a little bit of outside air, if that would be enough to solve the fogging problem. It wouldn't give as warm of heat, but it oughtta be better than no recirculation.



I was up in AK two falls ago (2004), travelling around with my cousin. We had a blast--beautiful country. Now I just have to figure out how to make enough money to go back up again.

 

[nps]

There was a thread sometime back about a BOMB to the switch that would enable one to control the AC compressor (basically turning off the comp with defrost setting).



I'm sure a similar BOMB could be done, but you'd need to wire in a 'recirc' switch like the rice burners have to turn it on/off.



You could also check the wiring diagram, find the wire controlling the door, and tap into it there.

 

[CTD12V]

There was a thread sometime back about a BOMB to the switch that would enable one to control the AC compressor (basically turning off the comp with defrost setting).

Yeah, I read that one with great interest.

You could also check the wiring diagram, find the wire controlling the door, and tap into it there.

I wish it was an electrically controlled door, but on my truck, at least, it is a vacuum line running a vacuum motor. That is why I was looking to see if anyone else had worked on this, since I don't know enough about vacuum systems to know if you can get a vacuum switch that would function just like an electrical On/Off switch.



Thanks for the input.



CTD12V