Defroster not working

Tiny
JBENZ2679
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 GMC SONOMA
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I think it is the ambient air temperature sensor but I do not know where it is located.

My AC used to blow super cold and my heat was ultra hot then one day on way home I turned on the AC and I thought I heard a like a fuse, but now I am the morning my defrost only blows the outside air and does not get hot and the AC does not get cold anymore.
Thursday, October 11th, 2018 AT 5:35 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,624 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the mode actuator motor is not working which is a common failure. Here is a guide to walk you through the steps and the location of the actuator and ambient temperature sensor:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

You could have a vacuum leak under the hood that runs the HVAC system here is a guide to show you what to look for:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Saturday, October 13th, 2018 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
JBENZ2679
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In the photo for the ambient sensor it is very vague where is that a picture of.
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Saturday, October 13th, 2018 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JBENZ2679
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I removed bolster and see the actuators hook to the vacuum lines are working slowly but working.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2018 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The temperature sensor for the inside is integrated into the blend door actuator. Look at the last diagrams in the post above. Also can you check the #1 actuator in the diagrams to see if it is moving?

Hers the outside air temp sensor picture again. It is located on the radiator side shield
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Monday, October 15th, 2018 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
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I am pretty sure it is is the outside blend door that is such allowing air in all the time.
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Saturday, October 20th, 2018 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
JBENZ2679
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How do I get to it?
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Sunday, October 21st, 2018 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You will need to remove the glove box door which will gain you room to get to the actuator. Upload pictures if you have trouble.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 11:08 AM
Tiny
JBENZ2679
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How do I get to the outside ambient air temperature sensor?
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Monday, October 22nd, 2018 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The ambient air temperature sensor is under the hood one near the hood latch. Here is a diagram to help. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
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This is the v4 not v6.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Your car must not have one or someone cut the wires or took the sensor off because they say its in the same place no matter which engine you have.
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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
JBENZ2679
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Ok that could be I was sold a pcv valve when my truck doesn't take one what's the best way to find a vacuum leak
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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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I have seen the vacuum rotary valve at the HVAC control head go bad on these trucks causing the problem you are describing. Here is another location for the air temp sender next to the radiator. Make sure the system has full vacuum. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 11:17 AM

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