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Driver side A/C flows warm air, passenger side flows cold air?

Tiny
B TYSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BUICK PARK AVENUE
Why does the driver side a/c flows warm air, passenger side flows cold air, why?
Monday, July 12th, 2010 AT 10:49 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Could be a stuck temperature blend door on the driver's side here is a guide to help see whats going on.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
VILLIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE
I get heat on the passenger side but cold air on the driver side?
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Hello,

You have a blend door actuator that is not working for the passengers side which is common. Here is a guide to help walk you through the repair with diagrams below to help you do the repair on your car.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TMAJKA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for this post I love this site.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSG1966
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
I have dual climate control. This winter no matter how high I turned the tempature to the passanger side always pushed out cold air. It does it no matter if it is on Auto or I have the settings set manually, cold air comes out of the vents, floor, defrost.

Thanks for your help
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Suspect bad blend door actuator
inside HVAC box
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BPWEIBEL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Park Ave that blows out hot/warm air on the driver's side and ice cold air on the passenger's side. What could be causing this?
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check to see I f your actuators are getting power and working. I've enclosed a pic to show what they look like. It's not your car but it'sclose so you'll get the idea.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BPWEIBEL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have checked these as best I could and they appear to be working. They do move from floor to dash to defrost as they are supposed to. I'm having trouble understanding the air flow and how 1 fan could give 2 independent air streams (driver’s compartment and passenger compartment/back seat) that could be different temps. Reading the owners manual, the suspect the passenger dual air temp control is involved. There must be something to adjust the temp independently but I haven't figured out where to check this. Can you help? Thanks.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If they are working they will either be getting power or not. If they are getting power then your actuator is bad, if they aren't then tne control unit is sending the signal. Try pullling the fuse for about 3o-60 seconds and it may reset. If not have apro check it out.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYMOND24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE
Computer problem
1997 Buick Park Avenue 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

the air blows good. Only on one side. I have the climate control where passenger can change thier own temperature. The driver side blows hot. Ask people about it and they say that there is a arm that opens up to split the air. Is there any way that I can look for myself. Or would I have to take it to a shop
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
Yes, there is a blend door that directs the air flow in different directions. It sounds like there is a problem with it. You can try looking under the dask to locate it; however, you will most likely need to remove several parts to see it. I suggest taking it to a mechanic unless you are confident enough to try it yourself.

Joe
Let me know what you decide.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POLKAHOLIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
What would cause hot air to blow out on the drivers side and only cold on the passenger side?
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
A likely cause for this make and model is the weakening and subsequent crimping of one or more of the vacuum lines, or softened connector nipples within the A/C programmer. Check your connectors and vacuum lines for any defaults and post your results. I will follow up.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POLKAHOLIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the response while checking the vac lines ect behind the glove box I was adjusting all of the settings to try and figure out what devise activates with each setting. When I turned the temp setting to the lowest setting then back up to the highest I had heat on both sides of the car again. I was able to change the settings to all positions and the heat remained on both sides. I put the dash back together and when I tested it again I started out with heat then I heard the sound of the vac line and it switched back to cold air on the passenger side again. I changed the temp to the lowest setting and after I heard the devise complete its rotation I turned the temp back up and the heat is on both sides again. I know I havent fixed the problem but hopefully this will continue to work until I do find the solution.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FORD33
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You are on the right track. With the glove compartment out. Look on top of the heater box there is an arm about 2" long; it is located approx. Behind where the left corner of the glove box would be. This arm attaches to a "not sure if it's a" vacume/ electric motor. The arm is splined and will strip out; causing it to work intermittently till it doesent work at all. I simply disconected the arm from the rod and installed a spring to hold it one way for summer and the other winter.
Hope this helps. Bruce
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:35 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTINARCLARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Hello.

A/C compressor is good and working. Recently recharged and hose replaced. Please suggest issue. Thank you.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
This sounds like the blend door actuator for the drivers side is out. here is a guide to help walk you through the repair and instruction with the location of the blend door actuator for you car in the diagrams below:

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

Remove or Disconnect

- The actuators are specifically designed for the right and left side of the heater and A/C module. When servicing an actuator, be sure to replace it with the correct service for the position being serviced.

1. Sound insulator(s) as required to gain access to actuators.
2. Knee bolster, console, trim as required.
3. Electrical connector from actuator.
4. Screws retaining actuator.
5. Actuator.

Install or Connect

1. Actuator with mounting screws.

Tighten
- Screws to 1.4 N.m (12 lb. in.).

2. Electrical connector.
3. Knee bolster, console, trim.
4. Sound insulator(s).

Important
- After the actuator has been replaced, the actuator needs to be re-calibrated for proper travel. The ignition must be cycled ON for 3 minutes to allow the programmer and the actuators to re-calibrate for proper travel.

This shows the passengers side unit so the drivers side should be near the gas pedal. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
The passenger side climate control delivers hot air when the air conditioner is on. The slide lever indicates that it is on cool but it really is not
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Check the blend door for that side. I believe the actuator is under the steering column.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)

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