Heat On Drivers Side Only...

[jssmith76]

Hey all... Got a problem here. Got a 2009 QCSB 1500 Sport. I've had it for about 6 months. Haven't had any problems with it yet what-so-ever. But, this morning while driving the kids to school, we had the heater on, and found out that heat is only coming out the drive erst side, and cold air is coming out the passenger side. I have dual climate control. Current set to "HI", and synced. It doesn't matter what setting I have the air on (face, feet, defrost, etc...), it still comes out hot on driver 's, cold on passenger.

If I switch it to cold air, cold air comes out both sides. Anybody got any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Hootbro]

Sounds like a possible right temperature blend door actuator issue. Unfortunately, it is the one on back side of the HVAC assembly and that will constitute taking the whole dash out to get access.

http://www.ramforum.com/f42/blend_door_actuator_locations-76822/

 

[wsutard1]

you are screwed.

 

[jssmith76]

I was hoping this was not the case... Driving home today, it warmed up outside, so I decided to do more testing... With the heat on, the air from the passenger side isn't as cold any more. Almost feels as if it's just air coming from the outside. With the A/C on, both side blast cold cold air, as it should.

Still sound like the passenger blend door?

 

[Hootbro]

I was hoping this was not the case... Driving home today, it warmed up outside, so I decided to do more testing... With the heat on, the air from the passenger side isn't as cold any more. Almost feels as if it's just air coming from the outside. With the A/C on, both side blast cold cold air, as it should.

Still sound like the passenger blend door?

Still sounds like a blend door actuator issue. Below is the first video of a four part series showing how to take the dash apart. Only exception is you will not be taking the box out and should be able to get access to the actuator between the box and inside firewall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWCjuXxBhlY&list=PLM_FgFcXdM5otFEcZHIN5hamPS3w8pcxR&index=25

Me personally, if I am going to change this actuator, I would seriously consider changing the heater core and AC evaporator in the box as a preventive since you are already there with the dash removal labor.

 

[jssmith76]

Thanks man. I'll have to watch all 4 videos tomorrow. I hadn't thought of those changes. I was thinking of switching out the blend doors for "the metal ones" I've read about with some "heatertreater" site. Also, since I have the whole dash out, wouldn't be a bad time to toss a new radio in too...

 

[jssmith76]

Holy rusted sheetmetal Batman! Jeez, that's a lot of electrical connectors to be unconnecting. I like that the dash in one whole piece that just picks up and lays out of the way. According to the videos, I will need to remove my center console, but not gonna be messing with my radio area. So, that's one good thing. I'm glad you said I won;t have to take the actuall air box off the firewall, I really don't want to mess with A/C lines and coolant hoses. Of course, that all depends if I'm able to get to the actuator at all. Thanks for the videos, it really opened up my eyes as to what I will need to do. I was looking at it from a completely different point of view.

 

[Hootbro]

It is not for the timid. Keep in mind it is speculation on the actuator. If the attachment is stripped on the blend door, you are looking at splitting the box to replace the door. You will not know until you get in there.

I have known people to trade in trucks rather than to deal with this.

 

[jssmith76]

Let's say worst case scenario, the blend door is shot, can I glue it in the "closed" position, so that no outside air gets in? Cause that's almost what it seems like is happening... Just trying to think of options before I take the whole dash off...

 

[Hootbro]

Let's say worst case scenario, the blend door is shot, can I glue it in the "closed" position, so that no outside air gets in? Cause that's almost what it seems like is happening... Just trying to think of options before I take the whole dash off...

I do not think what you want to do will get you what you want.

The big accordion looking thing on the right of the first picture I posted controls the inside/outside air. The suspect blend door you are playing with adjusts the temperature between heater/AC evaporator core for temperature regulation on the right passenger side. To lock it in a fixed position would make that side subject to always full hot or cold depending on how it is fixated.

 

[jssmith76]

Ahhhh... Okies... That clears that up... Thanks man

 

[jssmith76]

Well, guess what? this morning, another problem reared it's head. I had the air on full blast, on the dash vents so the wifee-poo doesn't get chilled, all of a sudden, the air stops blowing full blast, automatically starts blowing as if it was on the minimum setting (dash panel setting was set to full blast). Didn't matter what setting or force of air I set it on, it still came out the minimum air force. Then, after 10 minutes or so, it started blowing full blast again, and worked fine on all settings (still got 1/2 hot, 1/2 cold).

Please tell me it's just another blend door acting up on me. I'm planning on changing all 4 blend door actuators while I'm in there. I just hope it's not a different problem where I might have to actually take the whole unit out of the truck (messing with A/C and coolant lines).

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Hootbro]

Troubleshooting over the internet is like throwing darts at a dartboard sometimes. Your latest thing sounds like the control head module is acting funky. That also drives the signal to your blend/temp door actuators.

Until you get someone with a meter and a schematic on the problem, we are just spit balling guesses and parts changing without the proper troubleshooting is shotgunning parts and hoping to hit something.

 

[jssmith76]

Damn, that sounds like I actually need to take it in to be diagnosed then. Cause all the meter's and schematics are definitely out of my wheel base. And yeah, don't like trowing money at parts that don't need to be replaced.

The guys over at HeaterTreater said they would like to repair it for free cause they don't have a video for a 4th Gen yet, but they are in Central Texas. I'm almost considering the drive from Phoenix to there. But, the wife would definitely kill me.

 

[Ramzaq]

I stole this from another forums thread. Something worth trying.

"with the truck runnuing,
set the blower to low Press and hold the recirculation button on the HVAC Control Head for 10 seconds and release,
Now press and hold the recirculation button on the HVAC Control Head again until the recirculation LED begins to flash, then release
this should make it calibrate itself, hope it works"

 

[jssmith76]

Thanks for the idea man. I tried it twice and it didn't work. Seems like it "rebooted" itself, and did the same thing it does every time I start up the truck...

Setting on full blast, blows strong for about 5 seconds, then blows as if it's on minimum setting for about 10 minutes, then it starts blowing full blast again till I turn the truck off.

 

[jssmith76]

Ok, time for an update on this situation. I had a local shop do work, they fixed everything except the AC control module. They wanted to charge me $300 plus install for it. Figured I would tackle this part myself.

So, I found the part online for $220. Just got it in the mail today. 45 minutes later, I had the top of my shifter center console off and the upper center console off. Replaced the control module with the new unit I got, put the upper center console back on, and ready to test it out.

Nope, same problem occurs. Starts off blowing full strength, 5 some odd seconds later, it automatically switches to minimum blowing strength, then 5 minutes later, it's back at full strength and stays there as it should.

So, anyone got any ideas for me? The wife and I are ticked off we spent that much for nothing better. The wife more than me.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[FlynDutchman]

Ok, time for an update on this situation. I had a local shop do work, they fixed everything except the AC control module. They wanted to charge me $300 plus install for it. Figured I would tackle this part myself.

So, I found the part online for $220. Just got it in the mail today. 45 minutes later, I had the top of my shifter center console off and the upper center console off. Replaced the control module with the new unit I got, put the upper center console back on, and ready to test it out.

Nope, same problem occurs. Starts off blowing full strength, 5 some odd seconds later, it automatically switches to minimum blowing strength, then 5 minutes later, it's back at full strength and stays there as it should.

So, anyone got any ideas for me? The wife and I are ticked off we spent that much for nothing better. The wife more than me.

Thanks,
Josh

Did you get this fixed? I'm interested to find out what the repair was. If you haven't, I would take it to the dealer for diagnostic. They should be familiar with the issue and have a know fix fairly quick. I used to be a Service Manager for Volkswagen and you would be surprised what issues are re-occuring on models. Did you try the re-calibration after replacing the module?

 

[jssmith76]

Did you get this fixed? I'm interested to find out what the repair was. If you haven't, I would take it to the dealer for diagnostic. They should be familiar with the issue and have a know fix fairly quick. I used to be a Service Manager for Volkswagen and you would be surprised what issues are re-occuring on models. Did you try the re-calibration after replacing the module?

Nah, not fixed yet. Ha entry tried the recalibration yet, didn't even think of that. I'll try that tomorrow. If that don't work, guess it's time to go to the dealership and see what they say.

 

[jssmith76]

Did you get this fixed? I'm interested to find out what the repair was. If you haven't, I would take it to the dealer for diagnostic. They should be familiar with the issue and have a know fix fairly quick. I used to be a Service Manager for Volkswagen and you would be surprised what issues are re-occuring on models. Did you try the re-calibration after replacing the module?

Ok, no go on the calibration. It's gotta be something in the system beyond the control module. Guess I'll be taking it to the dealer to see what's up.