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98 GrandPrix GTP AC "issue"

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  #11  
Old   
Silver Surfer
 
Posts: n/a

Default Re: 98 GrandPrix GTP AC "issue" - 08-02-2006 , 04:51 PM






The HVAC information came from the service manual for your vehicle which I
have on CD. Bought a whole set of CDs on EBay a while back covering 1998 to
2004 GM vehicles. Quite a bargain.

"Nine0fnine" <Nine0fnine (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:
Good news for the home team. When I got in my car today the temp
readout for 103. good for me. I didn't have far to go today so I
really couldn't test it but the system did seam to be blowing colder
air. I think I might need more lbs's of R-whatever. I think the new
ambiant air sensor fixed my problem. We'll see in the days to come.
It jives with what the surfer published. Good luck to the rest.......

For future where did you find that info ? Please pass along the url is
found on the web... PLEASE -Dann




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  #12  
Old   
GTPOwnerMDA
 
Posts: n/a

Default Re: 98 GrandPrix GTP AC "issue" - 08-02-2006 , 10:52 PM






Could you post a link to an image of where the parts might be in the
system. It's a little hard finding them all. I found a few of them.

-Thanks!
Mike

Silver Surfer wrote:
Quote:
Take a look at this description and see if it shines any light on the
subject:

Document ID# 515748
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HVAC Air Delivery/Temperature Control Circuit Description

The air doors that control the flow of air through the A/C module are
operated by vacuum actuators. Solenoid valves located in the vacuum/electric
solenoid apply vacuum to the actuators or vent the actuators. The solenoids
are controlled by solid state circuits in the heater-A/C control. Push
buttons in the heater-A/C control determine the A/C operating mode.
Depending on the mode selected, the heater-A/C control determines which air
doors should be operated.

Two air temperature sensors are used by the heater-A/C control. Their
resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The inside air
temperature sensor measures the inside air temperature. The ambient outside
temperature sensor measures the outside air temperature. The difference
between the two sensor measurements is used by the control circuits in order
to determine whether the incoming air should be cooled or warmed, and to
what degree. This is determined in order to bring the inside air temperature
to the selected temperature as quickly as possible. If a malfunction should
occur in either the inside air or ambient outside temperature sensor
circuits, the heater-A/C control will set a trouble code. It will also
substitute a temperature value of 75°F (24°C) if the inside air temperature
sensor circuit is at fault or 49°F (9°C) if the ambient outside temperature
sensor circuit is at fault. The substitute temperature value(s) allow the
system to continue operations.

The sun load temperature sensor determines the amount of sunlight produced
by the sun. As the sunlight increases, the sensors current increases. This
sensor is used in order to program the blower speed and the auto/bi-level
modes.

Air Inlet Valve
The air inlet valve is closed in most of the operating modes, permitting
outside air to enter the A/C module. It is opened only in the A/C modes and
at a temperature setting of 65°F (18°C) or higher. When the air inletvalve
is open, air from inside the vehicle is recirculated in order to get maximum
cooling.

Air Temperature Valves
The air temperature valves are positioned by the left and right electric
actuators. When the door is in the cool position, air is prevented from
passing through the heater core. The door can be placed by the actuator in
any position between cool and warm in order to provide any degree of warming
to the air after it has passed through the A/C evaporator core.

Defroster Valve
The defroster valve can be moved to 1 of 3 positions. The defroster valve
actuator consists of 2 chambers operated by 2 vacuum actuators. When the
A/C system is operated in the bi-level of the DEFOG mode, neither vacuum
chamber is evacuated and the door is in position B. Air flow is then
directed to both the defrost outlets and heater outlets. If the heater
solenoid is activated, the actuator moves the valve to position C. Position
C directs air flow to the heater outlets (lower mode). If the defrost
solenoid is activated, the valve moves to the defrost outlets. This is the
position the valve is in when operating the defrost mode.

Inner and Outer Mode Valve
The inner and outer mode valve is in position B when the air conditioningis
activated, or when the bi-level or upper modes are selected. In this
position, air flow is directed out of the A/C outlets. If the OFF, LOWER,
DEFROST, or DEFOG mode is selected, the bi-level solenoid is de-energized.
This will vent the vacuum from the inner and outer mode valve actuator,
allowing the door to move to position A. The air flow will now be directed
toward the heater and defrost outlets.

Outer Mode Valve
The outer mode valve performs the following functions:

Diverting air-conditioned air through the A/C outlets
Preventing air flow through the heater and defrost outlets.
The outer mode valve is in position B when the system is in the maximum A/C
or normal A/C modes. The outer mode valve is in position A in all other
modes.

Delay Mode
The delay mode is used in order to prevent the vehicle occupants breath from
fogging the windshield when the outside temperature is low and the engineis
cold. The heater-A/C control will set the doors so that air flow is directed
to the windshield with low blower operation. The system will stay in the
delay mode until the engine coolant temperature reaches 49°C (120°F) or
after 4 minutes, whichever comes first. The system will then operate
normally in the selected mode.


"GTPOwnerMDA" <maudette (AT) net1plus (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:1154451996.204595.237800 (AT) m73g2000cwd (DOT) googlegroups.com...
My external temp sensor is dead-nuts on. I'm wondering if I don't just
need a recharge? It is almost 8 years old and has never been in for
any service (other than a cracked fuel pump resistor (TSB on that one)
and regular oil changes. All I know s it was working fine two weeks
ago..it sat in my driveway for two weeks during the super heat and then
stopped blowing cold.




Nine0fnine wrote:
Silver Surfer wrote:
A resolution depends a great deal on what type of system your vehicle
has.
The automatic HVAC controller uses electrical actuators to control
temperature. The manual HVAC controller uses vacuum motors. More info
needed from your end.

Surfer my '98 GrandPrix GT is an automatic. I found the external temp
sensor for 15 bucks and I replaced it. I was sure that it was the
solution. The temp gauge is good in the cold but will not report temps
greater than 45 degrees. I had the AC unit checked and I was told that
I'm AOK. Their advice was to replace the HVAC controller. And I did,
but it was with one I picked up at the bone yard. No change... It was
99 in Chicago today. > : - (
If I disconnected the battery for a while would it reboot or reset
something?
-Dann


"Nine0fnine" <Nine0fnine (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:1154378385.114329.155330 (AT) 75g2000cwc (DOT) googlegroups.com...

I have the same issue with my 98 GT. Has anyone replied with
resolution ?
-=Dann




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  #13  
Old   
Silver Surfer
 
Posts: n/a

Default Re: 98 GrandPrix GTP AC "issue" - 08-03-2006 , 07:11 PM



I don't have a personal Web site or another place to post the pictures.
Suggestions? Might have to email you something direct.

"GTPOwnerMDA" <maudette (AT) net1plus (DOT) com> wrote

Could you post a link to an image of where the parts might be in the
system. It's a little hard finding them all. I found a few of them.

-Thanks!
Mike

Silver Surfer wrote:
Quote:
Take a look at this description and see if it shines any light on the
subject:

Document ID# 515748
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HVAC Air Delivery/Temperature Control Circuit Description

The air doors that control the flow of air through the A/C module are
operated by vacuum actuators. Solenoid valves located in the
vacuum/electric
solenoid apply vacuum to the actuators or vent the actuators. The
solenoids
are controlled by solid state circuits in the heater-A/C control. Push
buttons in the heater-A/C control determine the A/C operating mode.
Depending on the mode selected, the heater-A/C control determines which
air
doors should be operated.

Two air temperature sensors are used by the heater-A/C control. Their
resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The inside air
temperature sensor measures the inside air temperature. The ambient
outside
temperature sensor measures the outside air temperature. The difference
between the two sensor measurements is used by the control circuits in
order
to determine whether the incoming air should be cooled or warmed, and to
what degree. This is determined in order to bring the inside air
temperature
to the selected temperature as quickly as possible. If a malfunction
should
occur in either the inside air or ambient outside temperature sensor
circuits, the heater-A/C control will set a trouble code. It will also
substitute a temperature value of 75°F (24°C) if the inside air
temperature
sensor circuit is at fault or 49°F (9°C) if the ambient outside
temperature
sensor circuit is at fault. The substitute temperature value(s) allow the
system to continue operations.

The sun load temperature sensor determines the amount of sunlight produced
by the sun. As the sunlight increases, the sensors current increases. This
sensor is used in order to program the blower speed and the auto/bi-level
modes.

Air Inlet Valve
The air inlet valve is closed in most of the operating modes, permitting
outside air to enter the A/C module. It is opened only in the A/C modes
and
at a temperature setting of 65°F (18°C) or higher. When the air inlet
valve
is open, air from inside the vehicle is recirculated in order to get
maximum
cooling.

Air Temperature Valves
The air temperature valves are positioned by the left and right electric
actuators. When the door is in the cool position, air is prevented from
passing through the heater core. The door can be placed by the actuator in
any position between cool and warm in order to provide any degree of
warming
to the air after it has passed through the A/C evaporator core.

Defroster Valve
The defroster valve can be moved to 1 of 3 positions. The defroster valve
actuator consists of 2 chambers operated by 2 vacuum actuators. When the
A/C system is operated in the bi-level of the DEFOG mode, neither vacuum
chamber is evacuated and the door is in position B. Air flow is then
directed to both the defrost outlets and heater outlets. If the heater
solenoid is activated, the actuator moves the valve to position C.
Position
C directs air flow to the heater outlets (lower mode). If the defrost
solenoid is activated, the valve moves to the defrost outlets. This is the
position the valve is in when operating the defrost mode.

Inner and Outer Mode Valve
The inner and outer mode valve is in position B when the air conditioning
is
activated, or when the bi-level or upper modes are selected. In this
position, air flow is directed out of the A/C outlets. If the OFF, LOWER,
DEFROST, or DEFOG mode is selected, the bi-level solenoid is de-energized.
This will vent the vacuum from the inner and outer mode valve actuator,
allowing the door to move to position A. The air flow will now be directed
toward the heater and defrost outlets.

Outer Mode Valve
The outer mode valve performs the following functions:

Diverting air-conditioned air through the A/C outlets
Preventing air flow through the heater and defrost outlets.
The outer mode valve is in position B when the system is in the maximum
A/C
or normal A/C modes. The outer mode valve is in position A in all other
modes.

Delay Mode
The delay mode is used in order to prevent the vehicle occupants breath
from
fogging the windshield when the outside temperature is low and the engine
is
cold. The heater-A/C control will set the doors so that air flow is
directed
to the windshield with low blower operation. The system will stay in the
delay mode until the engine coolant temperature reaches 49°C (120°F) or
after 4 minutes, whichever comes first. The system will then operate
normally in the selected mode.


"GTPOwnerMDA" <maudette (AT) net1plus (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:1154451996.204595.237800 (AT) m73g2000cwd (DOT) googlegroups.com...
My external temp sensor is dead-nuts on. I'm wondering if I don't just
need a recharge? It is almost 8 years old and has never been in for
any service (other than a cracked fuel pump resistor (TSB on that one)
and regular oil changes. All I know s it was working fine two weeks
ago..it sat in my driveway for two weeks during the super heat and then
stopped blowing cold.




Nine0fnine wrote:
Silver Surfer wrote:
A resolution depends a great deal on what type of system your vehicle
has.
The automatic HVAC controller uses electrical actuators to control
temperature. The manual HVAC controller uses vacuum motors. More
info
needed from your end.

Surfer my '98 GrandPrix GT is an automatic. I found the external temp
sensor for 15 bucks and I replaced it. I was sure that it was the
solution. The temp gauge is good in the cold but will not report temps
greater than 45 degrees. I had the AC unit checked and I was told that
I'm AOK. Their advice was to replace the HVAC controller. And I did,
but it was with one I picked up at the bone yard. No change... It was
99 in Chicago today. > : - (
If I disconnected the battery for a while would it reboot or reset
something?
-Dann


"Nine0fnine" <Nine0fnine (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:1154378385.114329.155330 (AT) 75g2000cwc (DOT) googlegroups.com...

I have the same issue with my 98 GT. Has anyone replied with
resolution ?
-=Dann





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  #14  
Old   
GTPOwnerMDA
 
Posts: n/a

Default Re: 98 GrandPrix GTP AC "issue" - 08-19-2006 , 10:00 AM



Followup:

After reading the codes and analyzing wether the mixers were working I
determined it might need a recharge. The moment I snaped the pressure
guage on the compressor kicked off (low pressure saftey). A couple
cans of coolant and it's good as new!

Thanks all for the help!


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