Cold air

[Ricochet42661]

During last winter on very cold days, there seems to be a cold breeze blowing in under the dash on the passenger side. I have a 01 Silverado x-cab, 1500 2wd. Any help on how to fix this would make me a hero with my wife.

[HD Man 16]

I had the same problem w/ my 01, 2500HD. I did the silicone repair myself. It is detailed but not too difficult. It did not fix my problem. I had the dealer replace the recirculation door actuator and the problem was solved.

[325]

I had the same problem with a 2000 Suburban (cold air coming in under the dash on the passenger side). There is a plate that separates from the firewall on the engine side of the firewall. I had it fixed under warranty by the dealership, but I don't remember it being a difficult or complicated fix. There was a TSB out about 4 or 5 years ago for Chevrolets that wasn't near as complicated as I read here.

[gsheehan]

How much was the fix? my truck is doind it too, it started last winter, my wife freezes and I catch hell for it every dam day.

 

Thanks

[bbbrown]

how much did this cost to have done at the dealer? Im having the same problem with my 2000 silverado.....

[GM-Tech]

This is a pretty involved procedure, but it might be what you need. Hard to say.

 

If you have any questions about the following, I really can't answer them. I have not had the pleasure of having to do this.

 

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Passenger SIde of Vehicle Colder/Warmer Than Drivers SIde (Repair HVAC Case to Cowl Seal) #01-01-37-008 - (Mar 29, 2001)

 

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.

 

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[drumset5994]

Mother of Jesus Holy Christ...

 

Here's one vote for "live with the f**king draft"

[Ricochet42661]

You sure know how to freak a guy out. Thanks for the info. i was really hoping there was an under dash fix. I'll print this out though, take a week off of work(just in case), and see if I can pull this off. i should probably rent a car, too. Wonder how many other parts I'm going to break in the process.

 

Yikes.