A/C trouble 96 PA

I've have that read that when having problems with the air blowing from the defrost vents instead of the a/c vent that its the "air mix actuator".... but here's the thing... when I press on a wire that's behind my glove box (theres like a strip of them plugged in) the air temporarily blows out the a/c vents. so my question is is it still the actuator or is it the wire plug?

Sounds like you have automate climate control (digital display). In which case, the number one failure is the vacuum manifold that plugs into the a/c controller. It is clear, has a single nut on a stud that holds it to the front of the controller- and the plastic/rubber manifold turns to mush over time and either leaks, or plugs up- the only reasonable fix I know of is to bypass that entire manifold by removing the controller and running vacuum lines inside directly to their sources. I've done a dozen or so this way- I use windshield washer rubber hose to splice or lengthen vacuum lines, they can be slipped right over top of colored lines, and no clamps required since it is vacuum. If you go this route, just be sure to match all color coded vacuum lines- do them one at a time.

So i couldn't replace the strip? I'm a d.i.y guy but i have to see an example. Your method has me lost lol

You can replace most anything, but a used one will be the same issue, and a new one, if available, will be like $600....it is up to you.

I'm not sure what you are calling the strip- what I was referring to was the a/c controller- a black box with an actuator arm on top and a big electrical plug on the bottom, and a vacuum manifold in right in front.

If bumping a wire connection makes it work, then do the "wiggle" test, find out where the bad connection is and fix it- look for loose connector pins etc.

For driving safety, all air flows default to defrost when no electric or no vacuum is present- that way, at least the windshield can be cleared of fog to see where you are going.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/3991ptktmhlgy7t/AAD4tNMcQ4CO2Wli8TJaQ415a

There's a picture of the strip I'm referring to. When i wiggle the blue wire (2nd from top) ac blows out correctly

Okay, yours is somewhat different, then what I was describing-

Those are not wires- they are vacuum lines, the purple is the source, from the engine intake that supplies the vacuum. the blue line must run towards the vent actuator, and is probably partially plugged, or leaking, such that when you move it, it gets full vacuum. Do you hear hissing, and then when it moves it goes quiet? that would indicate a leak. If no hissing, then probably sucked in some of the mushy manifold- and may have to be removed to examined and cleaned.

The vacuum gets changed to various lines by the solenoid valves inside that box, the manifold is attached to.

Yes! Finally, that makes sense.... there is hissing. So to go with your 1st reply i would remove that gel strip that is holding the vaccums & connect the vacuums directly to the black box.... in the appropriate order?

Thanks by the way this is priceless

I've never fixed one like yours- they have all been in a circular manifold- but the same principle would apply, that gel strip manifold- turns to mush and leaks after about 20 yrs- so yes, the box would need to be opened (removing it is easiest) and lines plugged into the individual solenoids and routed out (through a cut hole) and spliced to the colored lines- completely bypassing the manifold.

You would have to study it first- but if holding the line to one side works, maybe you can try to seal the leak first, or tie it back in that position- may last for a week or maybe a couple yrs, who knows.

Thanks that really helps. Now i know where to begin. Helps a lot

theres 2 prongs for each vacuum.... and the purple vacuum that's on top doesn't have a prong...