Air conditioner and heater only working on one side?

Good morning,

This happens when the right or left temperature blend door actuator goes out. This guide can show you how a typical system works and where the actuators are located. I have included diagrams for your car below.

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

Yes, it is an easy replacement. It is under the dash, left side.

I attached a picture and the procedure for you to view.

Roy

1. Remove the left side sound insulator.
2. Remove the knee bolster.
3. Remove the Instrument Panel Module (IPM).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air temperature actuator.
5. Remove the air temperature actuator retaining screws (1).

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Good afternoon,

The code s for the actuator. I attached the description below as well as the instructions for replacing the actuator.

It is behind the glove box.

Roy

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

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1. Remove the IP compartment.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air temperature actuator.
3. Remove the air temperature actuator retaining screws (1).

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4. Remove the air temperature actuator.

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CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The instrument panel integration module (IPM) commands right air temperature actuator movement with one of three voltage signals applied to the right at temperature door control circuit. A low voltage of 0 volts moves the right air temperature door toward full hot. A voltage of 2.5 volts stops the actuator. A voltage of 5 volts moves the right air temperature door toward full cold. The IPM determines the current position of the actuator by monitoring the feedback voltage of the right air temperature door position signal circuit. The feedback potentiometer position is a function of the actuator position. A high voltage indicates a full cold right air temperature door position. A low voltage indicates a full hot right air temperature door position. The IPM controls the right air temperature door position in order to maintain the selected air temperature on the HVAC control module.

Whenever the IPMs keep alive memory battery power is interrupted, the IPM will perform a recalibration of the actuators. During recalibration, the IPM will drive the actuators to their minimum and maximum travel extremes. The IPM will then calculate a travel range from this data, max-min=range, and compare it to a calibrated range within the IPM. If the actual travel range is not within the calibrated expected range, the actuator will be considered not calibrated and the DTC will set.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
The ignition is turned ON.
The IPM power must be interrupted.
Perform the Recalibrate all Motors command using the scan tool.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The right air temperature actuator actual total travel range (max-min) is less than or greater than the calibrated limits.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
The IPM will continue to make use of whatever right air temperature actuator travel range is still available.
Each time the ignition switch is turned ON, the instrument panel integration module (IPM) will perform a recalibration of the actuator.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE DTC
The right air temperature actuator travel range error must be corrected.
The history DTC will clear after 50 fault free ignition cycles.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
If the condition is not present, refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections in Diagnostic Aids.
The range fault code can only be detected following a test of the right air temperature actuator travel range: This test can only be initiated by disrupting power to the IPM, that is, by disconnecting the battery or with the scan tool.
The calibration limit is 147-220 counts (2.9-4.4 V). An actual range below this limit suggests an obstruction, something Stuck in the door' limiting travel. An actual range above this limit suggests an over travel condition, damaged or missing foam seals.

Probably a bad blend door actuator on the cold side, assuming you have separate controls.. This guide can help

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

let us know

Hi,

You will have a separate one for the left side (driver's side). See picture 1

Now, there are two different systems, automatic temp control and manual. I will provide the directions for both. I will start with the automatic system. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

____________

2001 Buick LeSabre V6-3.8L VIN K
Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Left
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Service and Repair Procedures HVAC System - Automatic Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Left
AIR TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT - LEFT
REMOVAL PROCEDURE

pic 2

1. Remove the left side sound insulator. Refer to Closeout/Insulator Panel Replacement - Left in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
2. Remove the knee bolster.
3. Remove the Instrument Panel Module (IPM).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air temperature actuator.
5. Remove the air temperature actuator retaining screws (1).

Pic 3

6. Remove the air temperature actuator.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

pic 4

1. Install the air temperature actuator.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Pic 5

2. Install the driver air mix retaining screws (1).

Tighten
Tighten the fasteners to 1.4 N.M (12 lb in).

3. Connect the electrical connector to the air temperature actuator.
4. Install the IPM.
5. Install the knee bolster.
6. Install the left side sound insulator. Refer to Closeout/Insulator Panel Replacement - Left in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
7. Recalibrate the actuator. Refer to Re-Calibrating Actuators.

__________________________________

If you have manual temp control, it should only have one actuator. Here are the directions for that.

_________________________________

2001 Buick LeSabre V6-3.8L VIN K
Air Temperature Actuator Replacement
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Service and Repair Procedures HVAC System - Manual Air Temperature Actuator Replacement
AIR TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL PROCEDURE

pic 6

1. Remove the IP compartment. Refer to Storage Compartment Replacement - IP in instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air temperature actuator.
3. Remove the air temperature actuator retaining screws (1).

Pic 7

4. Remove the air temperature actuator.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

pic 8

1. Install the air temperature actuator.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Pic 9

2. Install the air temperature retaining screws (1).

Tighten
Tighten the fasteners to 1.4 N.M (12 lb in).

3. Connect the electrical connector to the air temperature actuator.
4. Install the IP compartment. Refer to Storage Compartment Replacement - IP in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
5. Recalibrate the actuator. Refer to Re-Calibrating Actuators.

_______________________________

2001 Buick LeSabre V6-3.8L VIN K
RE-Calibrating Actuators - HVAC System - Manual
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Testing and Inspection Programming and Relearning RE-Calibrating Actuators - HVAC System - Manual
RE-CALIBRATING ACTUATORS - HVAC SYSTEM - MANUAL
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
Use the following steps to perform the calibration update.
1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the battery positive voltage circuit fuse of the HVAC Control Module.

IMPORTANT: The module memory will not clear if the battery positive voltage circuit fuse is installed in less than 60 seconds.

3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Install the fuse.

____________________________________

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

This is due to the blend door actuator on that side is not functioning. Here is a guide that will help with this:

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

Also, below is the process from the manual on how to replace this actuator. Let us know if you have other questions. Thanks

Hello,

There are five fuses that run the system lets check them all for power and if okay you must have a shorted wiring causing the issue here are two guides to help us get started with the HVAC wiring and fuse diagrams below. The diagram show which fuses to test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Hello,

It looks like the blend door actuator for the drivers side is near the drivers side foot well. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Sounds like a blend-air door issue. When you change which vents you want air to blow out off, do you hear any noise from under the center of the dash? If not your blend air door is stuck, or the cable has somehow become unattached.

Hello,

This sounds like you have a blend door actuator that is not working. Here is a guide to show you what you are in for when doing the job and the location of the actuator is in the diagrams below:

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

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

Even though it is manual control, do you have dual controls? Control for each side?

I do not see dual actuators which may mean you have another issue.

Roy