Cold air under pass. side dash?

[Tweeter400]

My wife and I took the truck on a trip this weekend and the temp here is 0. Of course I was driving and she said here feet were cold. So I let her drive and I figured out the air was coming from under the right side of the dash. The heat duct was blowing hot air from the left. Is this normal or is there something I can do about it?

 

Thanks!

[325]

This has been covered in prior posts. There is a service bulletin out on this problem and it is an easy fix. There seems to be a plate or cover behind the heater that separates from the firewall and allows cold air to pass into the cabin on the passengers side. Had the same problem with a Suburban and the dealership fixed it under warranty.

[penguins1]

Does anyone have the detailed TSB on this fix? I would like to get it taken care of also.

 

Thanks!

[chevfamily]

My Tahoe is in as we speak for this fix. If no one posts the tsb, I'll read it off my receipt. Maybe Thursday

[Slick]

The dealership wanted to charge me $80/ hour to "troubleshoot" this known problem. My truck is a '99 which is out of warranty. Everyone I known with this style of truck has this problem. It should be a recall. Has anyone posted how to fix this problem? I would like to fix it myself. THX

[Rookie]

My yukon had a simalar problem, but it was on the drivers side. It was the rubber boot that fits around the steering shaft. Mine came loose and there was a gaping hole. I readjusted it and problem fixed. i was telling a friens about this and he stated he had the same problem but passengers side. His veh had a big hole over there like it set up for a right hand drive????? just a thought.

[SteveCZ]

Same thing happened to my girlfriend too....

 

We were heading up north to go snowmobiling, and it was like 10 below zero outside... I had the heater portion cranking and I was sweating but her feet were still cold....

 

I'll have to check on this too....

[03GMCinBC]

Hope this helps....

 

Here is the TSB.

Passenger Side of Vehicle Colder/Warmer Than Drivers Side (Repair HVAC Case to Cowl Seal) #01-01-37-008

Passenger Side of Vehicle Colder/Warmer Than Driver's Side (Repair HVAC Case to Cowl Seal)

1999-2001 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Pickup (Silverado, Sierra) and Utility (Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL) Models

 

2002 Cadillac Escalade

 

Condition

Some customers may comment that the passenger side of the vehicle may be:

 

Colder than the driver's side when the heat mode is on.

Warmer than the driver's side when the air conditioning (A/C) mode is on.

There may be dampness on the vehicle dash assembly when the A/C mode is on.

Cause

Condition may be due to poor sealing of the HVAC air inlet case to the front of dash or the recirculation mode door actuator may not hold the recirculation door closed while driving.

 

Correction

Replace the recirculation door actuator (if necessary) and repair the HVAC case to cowl seal using the following procedures:

 

Place the A/C control in the manual heat mode.

Remove the fixed mast radio antenna.

Open the hood and install fender covers.

Remove both wiper arm assemblies using the following procedure:

Disconnect the washer solvent hose from the air inlet grille panel nozzle.

Remove the cover from the wiper arm retainer. Remove the retainer.

 

Important

Use a battery terminal puller in order to remove the wiper arm.

 

 

Rock the wiper arm back and forth in order to loosen the arm from the drive shaft. Remove the wiper arm.

Lower the hood.

Remove the air inlet grille panel using the following procedure:

On each end of the air inlet grille panel is a rubber flap for the hood hinge cutout. Lift this flap and remove the air inlet grille panel attaching screw.

Remove the air inlet grille panel center top push pin.

Remove the clips that position the forward edge of the grille panel to the top of the cowl.

Disconnect the windshield washer supply hose from the bottom of the grille panel.

Remove the air inlet grille panel by sliding the panel rearward up the windshield and out.

Just to the left of the right hood hinge, on the horizontal surface of the cowl, locate a cover that is sealed in place. The cover has TRW stamped into it.

With a sharp knife, cut out the panel following the panel impression in the sealer tape.

Place a lifting device between the cover and the dash. Lift the cover enough to allow another tool to depress and release the front retaining tabs by pushing rearward on them. Remove the cover.

Look through the opening where you just removed the cover. You will see what looks like a piece of foam about 76 x 127 mm (3 x 5 in). This is the A/C recirculation door that is within the HVAC module.

Reach into the opening and carefully pull on the air inlet recirculation door. If the recirculation door moves with very little effort, replace the air inlet (recirculation) door actuator (Manual systems only). For systems with the Automatic Temperature control, initialize the system using published Service procedures.

Between the top of the HVAC air inlet module (appears as a 6 mm (1/4 inch) black strip) and the cowl sheet metal is a foam seal. This foam seal may be improperly positioned or damaged in some way (insufficient crush/sealing). This may allow outside ambient air to enter the passenger compartment incorrectly (under driving conditions). This can be corrected using the following procedure:

 

Important

It is imperative that a good seal be achieved over the entire surface areas (no voids or skips), especially around the rear and sides of the HVAC case to cowl areas.

 

 

Seal the area between the cowl and HVAC case with RTV Silicone Rubber Sealant, P/N 12345739 (in Canada, use P/N 10953541).

Using your finger, from the engine side of the cowl, ensure that the foam is stuck nicely to the HVAC module and does not have any distortions.

From the engine side of the cowl, working through the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, place a shop cloth into the opening and cover the blower fan. This keeps silicone from dripping onto the motor and causing an imbalance condition.

From the engine side of the cowl, working through the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, apply the RTV silicone to bridge the gap and cover the foam between the cowl sheet metal and the HVAC module case. Inspect your work with a light and a mirror. Ensure that no gaps or skips are present in the RTV seal.

Inspect your work for potential drips, runs, etc. If no problem is seen, remove the shop cloth covering the blower motor.

Apply a 3 mm (1/8 in) bead of weatherstrip adhesive, P/N 12345097 (in Canada, use P/N 10953479) around the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, where the cover fits into the cowl.

Place the cover on the workbench, top on the surface, and apply a 3 mm (1/8 in) bead of weatherstrip adhesive on the edge of the cover.

Place the cover into the cowl opening and snap into place.

Apply another bead of weatherstrip adhesive around the joint between the cover and the top of the cowl. Smooth this bead into a smooth surface with a finger or tool of some kind.

Place the leaf screen to the cowl. Attach the washer supply hose to the bottom of the air inlet grille panel. Do not place the fasteners in at this time.

Install the radio fixed mast antenna. Tighten 1/4 turn after contact is made with the base.

Lower but do not close the hood.

Center the opening in the air inlet grille panel around the antenna mast and then install the air inlet grille panel retaining screws. Tighten

Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

 

Raise the hood.

Reinstall the air inlet grille panel center retainer and front edge retaining clips.

Cycle the wipers to ensure the wiper system is in the parked position.

 

Important

Inspect the windshield lower edge on each side. About 51-76 mm (2-3 in) from the bottom, you will find a 13 mm (1/2 in) long black mark embedded in the glass. The black line is the position for the wiper blade to be in when the wiper system is in the parked position.

 

 

Install the wiper arm assemblies. Position the wiper blades just below the black marks in the windshield.

Install the retaining nuts. Tighten

Tighten the retainers to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

 

Reconnect the washer hoses.

Remove the fender covers.

Close the hood.

Parts Information

Part Number Description

12345097 (In Canada use P/N 10953479) Adhesive, Weatherstrip

12345739 (In Canada use P/N 10953541) Sealant, RTV Silicone

 

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

 

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

 

Labor Operation Description Labor Time

D2118 Seal, HVAC Module to Body 1.3 hrs

Add Actuator, Air Inlet Door - Replace 1.0 hr

This is a unique labor operation for use only with this bulletin. The number will not be published in the Labor Time Guide.

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[SteveCZ]

Holy TSB Batman.... .I was going to try this at home... but ...

 

I think there should be an addendum on the bottom of this TSB,

 

"DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!"