GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The recirculation actuator is an electronic device that incorporates a stepper motor and a feedback potentiometer. The HVAC control module controls the recirculation door position by sending a control signal to the actuator. The signal's value is dependent upon the desired mode that the vehicle occupants select. While the actuator moves, the potentiometer produces the actual door position signal that is sent to the HVAC control module. The HVAC control module continues to command the actuator to move until the desired value is equal to the actual value. The door directs airflow through the outlets which the vehicle occupants selected.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.
    • An attempt was made in order to change the position of the recirculation actuator.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The actual recirculation door position differs from the commanded recirculation door position by 4 counts or more.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The recirculation actuator is considered stalled, and the HVAC control module will command the mode actuator to stop rotation (2.5 V).

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • If the HVAC control module no longer detects a condition, then the DTC will become history.
    • The history DTC will clear after 50 ignition cycles without a condition.
    • The DTC can be cleared with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • A dead zone exists in a range from 10 counts above the maximum mode door position to 10 counts below the minimum mode door position. When the mode door Actual Data parameter is within the dead zone, the DTC will not set. If the Commanded Data parameter differs from the Actual Data parameter by 4 counts or more outside the dead zone, the DTC will set.
    • A damaged or broken recirculation door or a damaged or broken actuator can cause this DTC to set.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference : HVAC Schematics

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Automatic

2

  1. Install the scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With the scan tool, observe the Recirculation Actuator Commanded parameter and the Recirculation Actuator Actual parameter in the Primary ECC Data list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the parameters are within the specified value of each other?

0-3 counts

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 3

3

  1. With the scan tool, command the recirculation actuator ON to OFF.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Recirculation Actuator Actual position.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Recirculation Actuator Actual parameter changes within the specified range?

5-250 counts

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 4

4

Test the recirculation actuator ignition 3 circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Test the 5-volt reference circuit of the recirculation actuator for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

6

Test the control circuit of the recirculation door motor for an open, for a short to ground, or for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

    Important: The recirculation actuator connector and the HVAC control module connector must be connected in order to correctly perform this test.

  1. Turn on the ignition, with the engine off.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Recirculation Actuator Actual parameter in the Primary ECC Data List.
  3. Connect a 3-ampere fused jumper to the recirculation actuator, between the recirculation door motor control circuit and the 5-volt reference circuit. This action drives the door to the recirc position.
  4. Remove and reconnect the fused jumper between the recirculation door motor control circuit and the ground circuit of the recirculation actuator. This action drives the door to the outside air position.

Does the recirculation actuator drive shaft rotate and do the counts change?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect the recirculation actuator and the recirculation actuator for the following conditions:

    • An incorrectly installed recirculation actuator
    • Broken or binding linkages or a broken or binding recirculation actuator
    • An obstruction that prevents the recirculation actuator from operating within the full range of motion

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the recirculation actuator. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the HVAC control module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Important: Perform the calibration procedure for the recirculation actuator.

Replace the recirculation actuator. Refer to Recirculation Actuator Replacement in HVAC Systems - Manual.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

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12

Important: Perform the calibration procedure for the HVAC control module.

Replace the HVAC control module. Refer to HVAC Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle according to the Conditions for Running in the DTC .

Does the DTC set again?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK