1996 Tahoe A/C

idnative1948 · August 15, 2016

Two years ago we had everything gone through on the A/C. Comp, cond, and everything. The old girl is giving us fits again. Minimal A/C cooling and a mysterious *click* coming from the under the glove box area when you select some directional positions for cooling and low to no airflow to some.

Before I chase the clicking and start tearing crap apart, am I looking at a door opening issue? Switch, vac??

Just trying to save myself some $$ before I take it back in for the cooling issue itself.

barry G · August 15, 2016

I found circuits overlapping..

the sleeve bearing motor up front replaced with ball bearing brought a whole world back.

it makes more noise..but it uses much less.

other than that extra, it is remove and replace broken stuff.

idnative1948 · August 15, 2016

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Should give me a starting point. Just checked with my BIL who has a Yukon same year and he said, Flapper valve actuator?

I found circuits overlapping..

the sleeve bearing motor up front replaced with ball bearing brought a whole world back.

it makes more noise..but it uses much less.

other than that extra, it is remove and replace broken stuff.

arcasey · August 16, 2016

If you hear a clicking noise from the glove box area it is likely the door/flapper that allows outside air into the cabin. It should be located almost directly behind the blower motor housing if I remember correctly. Not sure exactly what its called although I seem to remember my mechanic referring to it as a "flapper valve actuator" as well. I also just had my A/C gone through and that door was the culprit as to why mine wasn't cooling . I wedged a stick in it to keep it closed and truck went back to cooling correctly. I have stuck my head under there and looked at it and there is a little actuator motor that looks to be a royal pain to remove but you might get lucky and be able to replace the motor and fix the problem. I believe on mine the shaft is actually broke loose from the door so the motor is turning the shaft but not moving the door.

idnative1948 · August 27, 2016

arcasey, is the winner!

Is the blend door actuator tucked in next to the blower motor. Didn't want to source the wrong one (electrical non-returnable most places), so I tried with mirror and flashlight to read the part number from the tag. Ended up peeling the tag off with the help of a feeler gauge. Last digit non readable so just keep searching and changing the last number. Bingo! And of course this actuator is the $60 one, not the $38 one. Now to get the marbles to dig into it and get it over with...

idnative1948 · October 23, 2016

Well, back at this problem now that hunting season is over for me. For the life of me I am having one helluva time trying to identify the correct blend acuator valve (or flapper valve actuator). It is the one under the glove box for sure and of course there is no part tag on it like the other two. As we all know anything electrical is non-returnable, I am open to suggestions of how to proceed.