Send my Minivan to replace the intake gasket for P0171 & P0174 and when I got it back the A/C will only blow cold air thru the defroster. It will blow cold air but not thru the vents. Is there a way I can correct this? It takes twice the time to cool off the cabin blowing cold air below a hot windshield. Any assistance will be appreciated.

Manny:eek7:

Send my Minivan to replace the intake gasket for P0171 & P0174 and when I got it back the A/C will only blow cold air thru the defroster. It will blow cold air but not thru the vents. Is there a way I can correct this? It takes twice the time to cool off the cabin blowing cold air below a hot windshield. Any assistance will be appreciated.

Manny:eek7:I suppose you have an 99 or up model according to your 171 174 job. Behind the top of the engine, on the passenger side you have a little red vacuum tube, connected on the head, check if it is connected. If yes, follow this little tube which must be connected to the a/c heater plenum. It can be difficult to access but I'm pretty sure that the tube is disconnected from the plenum which make that the vacuum actuator is not working. This actuator needs vacuum to change the different doors to direct air flow (defrost, vents etc)

I was able to locate the vacuum red line. It has sort of like a "T" or an "Elbow" which is not connected. When I covered the end of it, cold air will blow from the vents meaning that I found the problem. Question is, Where that rubber elbow is supposed to be connected? I covered with black electric tape for now or until you can help me locate the correct place where is supposed to go.

Thanks again

Manny in NYC

I was able to locate the vacuum red line. It has sort of like a "T" or an "Elbow" which is not connected. When I covered the end of it, cold air will blow from the vents meaning that I found the problem. Question is, Where that rubber elbow is supposed to be connected? I covered with black electric tape for now or until you can help me locate the correct place where is supposed to go.

Thanks again

Manny in NYC OK The place where this elbow is to be connected is on the a/c heater plenum, the big plastic box located on the firewall(passenger side). before trying to connect, try to pass your hand and feel the tube that in molded on the planum case, it is under the cowl vent panel.
You will not be able to see it but if you can find it you will be able to connect the elbow there so all your a/c and heating system will work properly. I just went to my van and was able to disconnect and connect mine so you can reach it.
In the worst, if you don't find, remove the cowl vent panel, wiper arm etc and you will be able to see it but it is just a time consuming job.
Good luck

Is the connector located toward the back of the black box? What will happen if I leave it with the tape? Will this affect performance of the Heater - A/C in any way?:uhoh:

I am unable to reach to get that elbow in place. I even spoke to my next door guy that has the same vehicle and I did verified where is located but me been a 5'7" giant, I am unable to reach. So I guess is the long road back to the mechanic that did the job (p0171-p0174 gasket replacement) so he can reconnect it since he was the one that pulled it from its place. ***And it better be free***

I am unable to reach to get that elbow in place. I even spoke to my next door guy that has the same vehicle and I did verified where is located but me been a 5'7" giant, I am unable to reach. So I guess is the long road back to the mechanic that did the job (p0171-p0174 gasket replacement) so he can reconnect it since he was the one that pulled it from its place. ***And it better be free***
Your air vent doors are now working because you have used tape on the elbow orifice; when you set your a/c to "max a/c" this vacuum close a door
that make that the cool air in your van recirculate in the system meaning that no hot air from outside are coming through the system. Try to see with another van, move a few wires aside to gain access, then lift the elbow from the block so you will know where yours is connected.

Is not that, is the angle where the other piece is and my hand dont bend that far up. Unless I can lay down facing on top of the engine sort of what you used to do when U was looking for toys under your bed when you was a kid. At least i did...

The box you are trying to connect to is used as a vacuum storage so that when you shutoff the engine, the door/actuator does not move back to defrost by gravity or least that is what I was told. I experienced it because when I did the P0174 fix, mine was disconnected and someone had installed a screw in the end of the tube to seal it up instead of reconnecting it to the box? Don't know why, but after connecting it back to the box, the actuator stopped moving everytime I stopped the van. It was kind of annoying because when you start up the van, the air goes from the defrost to whatever the last setting was and you feel and hear it happen. Not a big dela though if you don't fix it, but it is quite easy IF you have the cowel off! Good luck.

Took it to the mechanic that did the p0171 7 p0174 repair and he just connected it to the correct spot. I am happy now.