'03 Vibe A/C Recirc Not Working

[beausol]

I have an 03 Vibe. The A/C works fine with the recirc button off (all speeds). When I press the recirc buttin, however, only the light within the button lights. The blower speed doesn't change like it used to and it still seems to be pumping in air from the outside. It used to be much colder this way too, but I don't notice a temp difference now. Am I looking at a bad motor or switch or something like that? I'd like to take care of this myself if I can. Have fixed other things on this car, just haven't delved into the A/C system yet. Thanks!Rich

[joatmon]

welcome to genvibea not-uncommon failure on these cars is the motor that moves the flap to switch between fresh and recirculated air. There si a plastic gear that can get a few teeth stripped off. Usually the symptom is that switching to either fresh or recirc (depending on what part of the gear is stripped) and you get a periodic click or thump, ~ once a second or two. There are a bunch of threads here on how to access/replace/repair it if that is what the problem is on your car.

[beausol]

I don't get rhe sound everyone's talking about in those posts. No sound changes at all. Just the LED lights up in the recirc button and nothing else. I read the threads you're talking about but my issue doesn't seem to relate to those.

[joatmon]

There's not much to troubleshoot. You could take the actuator motor off the HVAC assembly, connect it up to the wire harness and switch between fresh and recirc to see if the motor spins and then spins in reverse.The actuator motor has no limit switches, it's always applying torque to move the flap. If the motor works but doesn't move the flap, then see if the flap can be moved by hand. Maybe there's some obstruction or debris keepinig it from closing.power comes from the heater and gauge fuses, those are good or you wouldn't get blower and recirc LED. Here's an electrical diagram, in case it comes to that.

Attached files 048heate.pdf (24.6 KB) 

[ehoff121]

I would remove the glove box, put the key in the ignition, turn to ON without starting the engine, and try the fan on low w/o A/C and listen with and without the recirc pushed in. You should hear the actuator motor moving the flap.While the glove box is out, check the cabin air filter