Air Con Won't Change Mode

[debonaire]

Yes, the climate control in my R32 will not move between feet, face, etc. This has been the case for a long time, and only now have I bothered to try to fix it. I am pretty sure that it worked sporadically before failing to work at all.

In case anyone is confused, there is nothing wrong with selecting hot/cold, only the 'mode'.

Facts of the situation:

-When pressing the mode button, the display changes, but nothing else happens.

-There is no noise from the motor that operates the flaps.

-I removed the motor + gear assembly and applied a voltage to the motor and it worked.

-The gears and metal contacts appeared clean and intact.

-A/C diagnostic returned "31,32,34,35,36" indicating connector disconnection, but

-The connections to the motor, rear of the A/C unit and all the connections behind the unit appear OK.

I have even opened up the A/C unit and the chip boards look alright. The only place I cannot follow the wires is between the steering column and the centre console, where it runs under the main dash piece. Is it likely there could be a problem in there? It seems to be encased in one of those ribbed tubes through this section so I don't really feel like pulling the whole f-ing dash out if its unlikely to result in anything.

Could it be a case of the unit being internally stuffed and just refusing to output?

If so will an R33 unit plug and play in an R32?

I've always been able to fix these sort of niggles so I am at my wits end with this. Does anyone have any suggestions before I put it all back together and return to reaching under the dash to change the vents??

[djr81]

Um I had this problem.

I replaced the mode door actuator.

The problem went away.

With a multimeter check the actuator is receiving a signal from the control unit. If it is then the overwhelming probability is the actuator is cactus.

[Rekin]

Dont bother with the ac diag checkup, that is always hopeless in finding a problem.

I had problem with hot/cold actuator and AC diag said it was fine.

My friend had a similar problem where it was stuck on feet. He replaced the mode door actuator and is all good now.

[debonaire]

Thanks for your suggestion djr81. The mode door actuator is the little black plastic unit with the motor in it, yeah?

Do you mean to pull the plug off it, put multimeter leads in the plug and try changing mode? I did that just now without reading a voltage, but wasn't sure which connections to use so maybe I didn't do a correct combination. Or did you do something differently?

I thought that, since the motor itself worked when powered then if it got a signal it would operate, or is it not that simple?

[djr81]

Thanks for your suggestion djr81. The mode door actuator is the little black plastic unit with the motor in it, yeah?

Do you mean to pull the plug off it, put multimeter leads in the plug and try changing mode? I did that just now without reading a voltage, but wasn't sure which connections to use so maybe I didn't do a correct combination. Or did you do something differently?

I thought that, since the motor itself worked when powered then if it got a signal it would operate, or is it not that simple?

To be honest I wouldn't muck about too much. For the small amount of money these things cost second hand just go buy one from someone wrecking a car. Then you will have some certainty & possibly some working HVAC.

To answer you first question yes try & read the outputs from the controller with your multimeter. But understand it isn't infallible. The mode door actuator is a small bit of gear with motors/ gears arms etc on it. Sits near your left knee when you are seated in the car.

[Lemzki]

ive got the same problem with my 32

mode doesnt work and its always on 'auto'