Air conditioning blowing out of defrost all the time

JANDJ1697

MEMBER
2001 ACURA INTEGRA
3.2L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
258,000 MILES

The air conditioner blows cold air, however it only will blow out of defrost (at window) and the side vents. Will not blow out of center vents no matter what mode I put it in.
No grinding at the actuator, which I think indicates it isn't getting any information from the control panel.
The A/C does shut off when I push the button, so some of the buttons work on the climate control panel, and it seems as though some do not like pushing air through vents rather than defrost all the time.

Could it be something other than the climate control panel going bad? Fuse?

Thanks in advance

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

If the panel is getting power, then you need to check the mode door actuator to make sure it is working. It may not be, which would result in no clicking.

Here are the directions for testing the mode actuator. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

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2001 Acura Integra GS L4-1834cc 1.8L DOHC PGM-FI
Mode Control Motor
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics Mode Control Motor Mode Control Motor
MODE CONTROL MOTOR
Mode Control Motor (1 Of 3)

pic 1

Mode Control Motor (2 Of 3)

pic 2

Mode Control Motor (3 Of 3)

pic 3

Mode Control Motor / Troubleshooting

Mode Control Motor / Test

1. Connect battery power to the No. 4 terminal of the mode control motor and connect ground to the No. 8 terminal.

Pic 4

2. Using a jumper wire, connect the No. 8 terminal individually to the No. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 terminals, in that order. Each time the short circuit is made, the mode control motor should run smoothly and stop.

NOTE: If the mode control motor does not run when shorting the first terminal, short that terminal again after shorting the other terminals.

The mode control motor is OK if it runs when jumping the first terminal again.

3. If the mode control motor does not run in step 2, remove it, and check the mode control linkage and doors for smooth movement. If the mode control linkage and doors move smoothly, replace the mode control motor.

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Let me know what you find.

Joe

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