Climate Control Not Blowing Out Hands/Face Vents

[Tinnitus_Z]

It has been a while since I last posted on here. I have looked at previous posts about the climate control only blowing out of the feet vents and some fixes that people have gotten, such as HVAC and engine bay vacuum leaks and broken actuators. However, I have checked all of my vacuum lines in the engine bay as well as my HVAC lines throughout the last 2 years or so whenever I get an error code; I haven't had an error code for vacuum or HVAC in over 8 months.

When I 3D printed that heat blend door actuator and installed it I also replaced the climate control (I believe it was this one: Amazon Climate Control). Before I was able to use all the settings of my climate control, minus the defroster due to the blend door actuator piece, but now I can only use the feet and the defroster vents. Both actuators behind the driver side dash are working and is changing the airflow, but the top one with the blue and yellow lines are only engaging the feet vents and stays on it unless the defroster is on.

Here is a video link of my actuator (too large of file to directly attach here): Video of Actuator

The video linked starts on the first right setting for defroster only, then each setting is applied until it is turned off. Could this be an issue with the new climate control I got from Amazon since the hands/face and feet vents were working before?

Thanks in advanced.

 

[macleanflood]

You could rule out vacuum by using something like a MityVac to supply vacuum to the HVAC box and see if it functions as expected.

-Mac

 

[Zorba]

You could rule out vacuum by using something like a MityVac to supply vacuum to the HVAC box and see if it functions as expected.

-Mac

Most automotive HVAC systems are made to fail in the defrost mode for safety. I'd suspect a vacuum problem first. The MityVac is a great tool and a good idea here.

 

[Rancho LJ]

Can you get a look at the lower actuator arm and lever just above the transmission hump? The metal arm can detach/break free from the mode door lever.

 

[Tinnitus_Z]

Thanks all for the replies, I will double check the vacuum lines going into the heater box and recheck the lower actuator arms once I have time this coming week.

 

[Tinnitus_Z]

Thanks all for the replies, I will double check the vacuum lines going into the heater box and recheck the lower actuator arms once I have time this coming week.

Gave it another look, took out the center console covering the stick and the airbag computer to get a better angle. That small arm/bracket for the lower blend door broke again, it was still connected but wasn't turning the door. Replaced it with my spare one and will remodel that arm/bracket piece in Autodesk CAD later to print more out.

Looking at where it failed and sheared, the previous model made in Sketchup had a bad fill and caused small air pockets between the filament. I'll reply with a .stl file once I remake the model and confirm it is good to use. Just another simple thing I failed to spot earlier when looking at the actuators.

 

[Rancho LJ]

From what I understand, that part is obsolete. It would be awesome if you could link the 3D file for others to use. A photo would help also. Glad you found the problem. Good luck!

 

[Tinnitus_Z]

From what I understand, that part is obsolete. It would be awesome if you could link the 3D file for others to use. A photo would help also. Glad you found the problem. Good luck!

It was this piece, also attached the original Sketchup created .stl of the part I 3D printed. That .stl model did work for roughly 2.5 years but I will remake it and print more with a higher filament density (corn based PLA). Had issues uploading pictures earlier.


3D printed part that broke:

Original part that broke in 2023:

 

[KennethS]

I had a 1997 Lincoln MK VIII that had a similar actuator arm that was prone to breaking in about the same location. One web site showed how to reinforce it by inserting and epoxying a finishing nail in the hole in the center axis of the arm, then winding thin wire around the outside and applying epoxy over that.