GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The auxiliary air temperature actuator is an electronic device that incorporates a stepper motor and feedback potentiometer. The position of the auxiliary air temperature actuator is based on the auxiliary air temperature door position signal voltage from the potentiometer. The auxiliary HVAC module converts this voltage to a digital signal that can be transmitted over the keyboard display driver (KDD) data bus to the HVAC control module. The HVAC control module contains the logic that controls the operation of the auxiliary air temperature actuator. When the keep alive RAM memory, the battery positive voltage circuit, of the HVAC control module is interrupted, the module will calibrate the actuators. The HVAC control module will perform a travel range comparison of the calculated minimum and maximum extremes of the actuator to the calibrated minimum and maximum range extremes within the HVAC control module. If the calculated range does not equal the calibrated expected range the actuator will be considered not calibrated and the DTC will set. The HVAC control module will also perform a continuous test on the current feedback value. If the feedback value does not equal or fall within the calibrated range the DTC will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.
    • The battery positive voltage circuit, which provides keep alive RAM memory power, of the HVAC control module must be interrupted in order to run the recalibration. This includes disconnecting the battery, removal of the Radio fuse and disconnecting the HVAC control module.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The auxiliary air temperature door position signal is less than 5 counts or greater than 250 counts.
    • The auxiliary air temperature actuators total travel range (max-min) is less than or greater than the calibrated limits.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The HVAC control module will continue to make use of whatever travel range is still available.
    • Each time the ignition switch is turned ON the HVAC control module will recheck the actuator travel range.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

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

Diagnostic Aids

    • The range fault can only be detected following a recalibration. The recalibration can only be initiated by removing the battery positive voltage circuit to the HVAC control module.
    • The calibration limit is 64-216 counts. An actual range below this limit suggests an obstruction, something stuck in the door limiting travel. An actual range above this limit suggests an over travel condition, damaged or missing foam seals.
    • A damaged or broken auxiliary air temperature door and or actuator can cause this DTC to set.
    • If condition not present refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

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 Aux. Mix Door Max Position data parameter and the Aux. Mix Door Min Position data parameter in the Auxiliary ECC Data list.
  4. Subtract the Aux. Mix Door Min Position from the Aux. Mix Door Max Position.

Does the result of the calculation indicate that the actual travel of the auxiliary air temperature actuator is within the specified range?

64-216 Counts

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 8

3

  1. With the scan tool, command the auxiliary air temperature actuator from HOT to COLD.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Aux. Mix Door Actual data parameter in the Auxiliary ECC data list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Aux. Mix Door Actual data parameter is within the specified range?

5-250 Counts

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

Go to Step 4

4

Test the ground circuit of the auxiliary air temperature actuator for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and 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 auxiliary air temperature actuator for a short to ground or short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

6

Test the signal circuit of the auxiliary air temperature actuator for an open, high resistance, short to ground or short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

Important:: The auxiliary air temperature actuator connector and the auxiliary HVAC control module connector must be connected to correctly perform test.

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With the scan tool, observe the Aux. Mix Door Actual data parameter in the Auxiliary ECC Data list.
  3. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the control circuit and the 5 volt reference circuit of the auxiliary air temperature actuator. This drives the actuator to the full cold position.
  4. Remove and reconnect the jumper wire between the control circuit and the ground circuit of the auxiliary air temperature actuator. This drives the actuator to the full hot position.

Does the auxiliary air temperature actuator drive shaft rotate and do the counts change?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

8

Inspect the auxiliary air temperature door and the auxiliary air temperature actuator for the following:

    • Incorrectly installed auxiliary air temperature actuator.
    • Broken or binding linkages or auxiliary air temperature door.
    • Obstruction that prevents the auxiliary air temperature door from operating within it's full range of motion.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Diagnostic Aids

9

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Replace the auxiliary air temperature actuator. Refer to Auxiliary Temperature Valve Actuator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the auxiliary HVAC control module. Refer to Auxiliary Heater and Air Conditioning 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 within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK