GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm new here.Don't know where to ask this question, so I'm asking here..I own an 03' Vibe GT since new, the 'Recycle Air ' switch below the A/C switch lights up when pushed(Green light is on).But no action is heard, usually I can hear the difference in the blower. I turn it on to cool the car quicker, but noticed it today. So in other words the HAVC system is still drawing air for outside the car.It does not seem to work now, any ideas?

In my 2006, the only difference I notice is the strength of air coming through the system (any increase in volume in my Vibe is due to the increased amount of air coming through the vents). Obviously, when I engage the recirc., the system is free to blow harder than if it was having to condition the outside air. I like that I do not "hear" any difference between the two, only "feel." Also, I don't think recirc. uses 100% of the cabin air when engaged. No matter how quickly I preemptively engage it to block out the scent of a cloud of bad exhaust from another car, or pass through areas I know smell awful, I can ALWAYS pick up a bit of the scent. It def. blocks most, but not all, so recirc. is most likely still drawing in outside air.

Ok then the feel. The force of the air is not noticed...I thought maybe there was a fuse for the actuator...

Have you been testing this after immediately starting the car? My guess is yes, based on what you said about "cooling the car quicker." My understanding is the A/C system works nearly as hard on recirc. vs. conditioning the outside air when you first start the car, because your interior is also warm/muggy.I notice the biggest difference when I am recirculating cabin air that has already been cooled/conditioned, so I'm not surprised you don't notice any change whether your recirc. is engaged or not right after turning the engine over.Also, you might have much better results cooling the car faster if you open your windows for a few moments and let whatever breeze is blowing to clear out your cabin a bit. I do this until I feel the cooler air begin to exit the vents, then close the windows. Considerably brings the temperature/stuffiness down if your ride has been sitting out in the open with the windows up.

Welcome to the site, by the way.

Thanks, and your not understanding my problem....lolThe actuator is not working, but the switch is.is there a fuse for this or is the actuator in need of replacement?

I don't hear anything either - but it must work as it seems to keep outside smells to a minimum, like when you are behind an oil burner, or pass a dead skunk on the side of the road. IMO that is the main benefit of recirc - the added a/c power is just a plus.

PM'ed you back, Zero. Sorry I couldn't help more.

my cable came off and i don't have any change in recerculation either. check under your dash by the accel pedal to see if the cable is hooked up to the door

Thanks all, will be taking it apart Saturday, let you know what the F*#k it was!

***UP DATE***The actuator was trying to move the fresh air door/flap.( stuck in the open position.)With a little assistance, I pushed it to the close position with the switch 'on'.Seems to work, but not knowing what the door/flap speed is, the actuator may need to be replaced!Zero6 out!

There's a problem with that actuator. I think a search or two will find other threads about it. I think the part was midway between cheap and unreasonable. Luckily I was able to pull my actuator out and 'rebuild' it just by flipping the output gear 180°. Some of the teeth stripped because this thing closes and the motor stalls out against those same teeth every time. They eventually die. Now that I flipped it, I'm hoping for the best. ('Course now, my compressor is toast... grr.)