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Old 10-13-2021, 04:38 PM   #1
wirlybird
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'97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Back again with another question.
The defrost on my new-to me K3500 dually blows nice and hard on the passenger side but almost nothing on the driver side.
Fan speeds work.
Temp mix seems to work fine.
Mode seems to work ok. Switches from floor to vent to defrost ok.

Anyone have any suggestions before the dealer tears the dash out to see what's up?!!!
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Old 10-13-2021, 05:21 PM   #2
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Blend door actuator.
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Old 10-13-2021, 06:33 PM   #3
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Isn't the blend door to control temp and the mode door to control flow?
I'm still trying to figure it out.
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Old 10-13-2021, 07:09 PM   #4
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Have you tried the old trick of disconnecting the battery for a while? Sometimes that will cause the actuators to "home" upon power up and function normally, but it's not always successful.
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Old 10-13-2021, 07:42 PM   #5
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie View Post
Have you tried the old trick of disconnecting the battery for a while? Sometimes that will cause the actuators to "home" upon power up and function normally, but it's not always successful.
I did read something about the actuators resetting like that.

I may give that a try this weekend but do you know the torture it will be getting the clock reset on the radio?!!! Gives me VCR flashbacks!
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Old 10-19-2021, 04:31 PM   #6
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

UPDATE:
I think we found the issue. It seems that the glue that bonds the dash together over time has oozed down to cover the opening for the defrost between the dash pad and where the underlying duct meet.
When you look down into the defrost vent from the outside of the truck you can see this green stuff covering the vent opening.
Tried to post a picture but it won't let me.

Now to figure out how to fix this.
Dealer wouldn't touch it due to the age and unforeseen issue in removing the dash pad.

Going to check with a body shop to see about a fix.
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Old 10-20-2021, 02:26 PM   #7
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

A dealership that won't repair their own "brand" needs to be reported to the BBB, and the parent company's customer service hotline.

Do it yourself. Grab a service manual, pop the dash apart. I did with my '88 K1500. The upper part of the dash was designed to tilt down with minimal fuss. The rest comes apart from there. You may need to pull the steering column to get down to the heater box and such. While you're in there, REPLACE ALL THE FOAM GASKETS that turn to jelly over time. I had a massive outside air leak because the foam gasket between the metal cowl air inlet and the plastic duct above the fan box disintegrated. Couldn't warm the cab in the winter, or cool it in the summer.

Clean all the pine needles, leaves, mouse fur, etc. out of the heater core. The heater core is the first "filter" on the system.





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Old 10-20-2021, 04:15 PM   #8
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Re: '97 K3500 Dually Defrost Only On Passenger Side.

Everything disintegrating is the fear. They said they have been down this road and it is a mess and most of the parts that would need replacing are no longer available including the dash pad.
They suggested first locating a dash pad that is in good condition as a backup.
Also an interior shop may be a better bet. They may have more experience with the dash.

I'm going to see if I can clear the obstruction from the top. If I can and it works ok that will do for now.
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