Air blend actuators diagram

[jia4x4]

Hi there,
My '03 Suburban 1500 is suffering the old problem of failing air blend actuators and I want to fix it. It has the auxiliary blowers for cold air supply to the 2nd and 3rd seat rows. I called the dealership parts dept and they told me that this setup has 5 actuators. When I search the internet I only find instructions to change the front actuators normally on Sierras or Tahoes but nothing for this more complex system. Does anyone out there has or can direct me to a good diagram that would show where these 5 actuators are located? If somebody also has some lessons learned at doing this work, it will also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Spriteman]

Here are a couple of links that might help track down the actuators you're looking for. I don't know if they are the exact diagrams for your burb but they should be close enough to tell what's going on. Some of the actuators are in the diagrams but they don't have corresponding part numbers below - that's normal if they don't stock them regularly.

Let us know if this helps and if you have any more questions.


Here's a link to a diagram for the aux A/C system for the back - http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=373992&ukey_make=1024&ukey_model=14543&modelYear=2003&ukey_category=19390&ukey_driveLine=6218&ukey_trimLevel=14209 #6 is the actuator.


Link for the front air distribution system - http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=373559&ukey_make=1024&ukey_model=14543&modelYear=2003&ukey_category=19390&ukey_driveLine=6218&ukey_trimLevel=14209


After some more research - found that there are 5 actuators for the front and one for the back. The front includes 2 Temp Actuators - one for the driver and another for the passenger.

Another one is for the air inlet which lets in outside air. Those three are fairly standard for most A/C distribution systems.

Then there are two more - Top Mode actuator and Bottom Mode actuator - that's different for most cars they usually only have one Mode Actuator - I guess because the burb is a bigger vehicle that it needs two.

What is the exact problem you're seeing with your system? Front or back? Temp control or where the air is coming out?

There are some good videos on youtube that show how to change out actuators on GM cars - they're mostly the same - and very easy to change out once you find them and can reach the 3 or 4 bolts that hold them in.

 

[VanGo]

What do your codes say? I just went through this on my Cadillac. There should be a code for each actuator.

 

[jia4x4]

Thanks Spriteman, I will review the links you sent me. The problem is that common one that I get cold air on the driver's side and hot air on the Passenger side and back of the car. I have already done all the resetting suggested (pull the fuse or disconnect the battery, start the car after a few minutes with the air off, then tour on and let it reset on its own. It normally works but not for very long and I can hear the clicking noise typical of damaged gears. So, my take for a not too expensive fix would be to locate all the actuators, take them apart one by one and search for damaged gears. When I find one, try to find the same gear size out of other actuators that I pulled from the junk yard. I might be in luck and be able to fix it like that. I am trying to avoid spending between $400 - $600 in new ones (quoted by the dealership). The ones for the AUX system seem to cost about $150 a piece.
I will post updates as soon as I get started with the fix. Thanks again!

VanGo - I don't have a code reader

 

[jia4x4]

Thanks Spriteman, I will review the links you sent me. The problem is that common one that I get cold air on the driver's side and hot air on the Passenger side and back of the car. I have already done all the resetting suggested (pull the fuse or disconnect the battery, start the car after a few minutes with the air off, then tour on and let it reset on its own. It normally works but not for very long and I can hear the clicking noise typical of damaged gears. So, my take for a not too expensive fix would be to locate all the actuators, take them apart one by one and search for damaged gears. When I find one, try to find the same gear size out of other actuators that I pulled from the junk yard. I might be in luck and be able to fix it like that. I am trying to avoid spending between $400 - $600 in new ones (quoted by the dealership). The ones for the AUX system seem to cost about $150 a piece. I will upload updates as soon as I can get to work on it.

VanGo - No codes. Don't have codes reader

Thanks again guys. If you find additional info or tips please keep sending them in because from my experience at the junkyard those suckers are quite hard to get to theirs screws and remove.

 

[jia4x4]

Thanks Spriteman, I will review the links you sent me. The problem is that common one that I get cold air on the driver's side and hot air on the Passenger side and back of the car. I have already done all the resetting suggested (pull the fuse or disconnect the battery, start the car after a few minutes with the air off, then tour on and let it reset on its own. It normally works but not for very long and I can hear the clicking noise typical of damaged gears. So, my take for a not too expensive fix would be to locate all the actuators, take them apart one by one and search for damaged gears. When I find one, try to find the same gear size out of other actuators that I pulled from the junk yard. I might be in luck and be able to fix it like that. I am trying to avoid spending between $400 - $600 in new ones (quoted by the dealership). The ones for the AUX system seem to cost about $150 a piece. I will upload updates as soon as I can get to work on it.

VanGo - No codes. Don't have codes reader

 

[VanGo]

Take it to Autozone and they will pull your codes for free. Save yourself money and aggravation.

 

[zora]

The code would probably be in the BCM and to my knowledge Autozone only reads the ECM. Call first before making the trip.

 

[VanGo]

One misdiagnosed part spend or unnecessary trip to a shop would pay for a scanner. IMHO, everyone should own one. If nothing else to protect you from shady shops.
Let us know how it turns out.