Defrost not working

Tiny
GERY RETAMAR JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 BUICK REGAL
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 80,000 MILES
I noticed that my defrost isn't working but when I switch it to vents or floor, it switches. I removed all the driver side trim to expose the actuator and noticed that it moves, but no defrost. When set to defrost, air switches to vent's and floor, not defrost. This has become very frustrating trying to diagnose the issue and living in upstate NY, I need my defrost.
Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 9:55 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
More then likely this is still an actuator issue. Your vehicle is a little different in the fact that it has an actuator, cam, and control lever. So I would remove and replace the actuator and then make sure the cam and lever are moving freely.

The only other thing that this could be is the control module. The way this works is the control module sends voltage on a different circuit to stop the actuator in a different position. This is called a stepper motor, so basically it stops at different positions depending on the voltage on each circuit. So you can monitor the voltage on each circuit on each position commanded.

Clearly it should be on a different wire for each setting.

Here is a guide that will help check voltages. However, it is more likely that the logic in the actuator is messed up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Take a look at this info and let us know if you have questions.

Thanks
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
GERY RETAMAR JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Here's what I found after removing the actuator.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 6:00 AM
Tiny
GERY RETAMAR JR.
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Actuator is good, that part fell from behind a bigger gear.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is a cam gear that the actuator uses to move the door. It doesn't look broken but doesn't appear to match the diagram attached below. However, this is just a drawing and they could have easily just used this from another vehicle or even made a change to the design of it. However, if it just fell out then it could easily be broken.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 7:12 PM

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