'03 XLE very little air from right side outlet vents

[TerryWalter]

I'm getting reduced air flow from the middle vents on the dash but only on the right side. From what I have been able to figure out is the air flow seems to be the strongest going from the driver side and weakens as it goes to the passenger side vents. Is there some sort of diverter door that directs the air flow? We have the XLE so it does have the auto air, etc. Any help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated since winter is fast approaching.

Terry

[Scrapper]

sounds like it's in the switch can you turn down the heat on right side and on the left? or you may have a blend door not opening all the way it could be a vaccum hose cracked or off.

[TerryWalter]

I dont thinks it the switch but I do think that it maybe some sort of blend door. I can turn the heat and the A/C either up or down it just seems like there isn't enough air flow coming out of both dash vents located on the right side of the radio. I hoped that someone could explain how the heater/ac system worked in relation to directing the air flow and if there is a blend door is it vacum operated or electronic and what to check. I have a simple assy showing the duct system but not how it works, you need to click on the image as there are 2 pages to it.

03 XLE duct assy2.pdf

[Scrapper]

or it could it be the acculator getting grumed up?

[Scrapper]

i met on acculator gumbed up?

[TerryWalter]

I have checked that the air mix, mode damper & the recirculation damper servo sub-assy all work properly and I recently flushed the heater core and got clean water coming through it at high flow rate. I also get constant air flow and temperature when the A/C is on but as I turn off the A/C and increase the temperature to HOT the temperature and flow on the passenger side decreases.

So my question now, is it possible to have the heater core be partially blocked or clogged as to only have heat on the driver’s side and not the passenger’s side but still allow water to flow at a high rate when I flushed it out? I’m thinking that the half of the heater core that is on the passenger side maybe clogged but not the whole core itself. I had expected to have only a trickle of water coming out and then I would have been 100% sure the heater core is clogged but I do not want to take it all apart to replace the heater core and find out I wasted my time and money and it is some other problem.

Also is there a trick in changing the heater core where I don’t have to dismantle the whole dash?

Terry

[Scrapper]

go to autozone.com click on location after you enter your info on car if cant find it there click on diagram.

[TerryWalter]

Thanks Scrapper, but I downloaded the manuals for this car already but just wanted to see if anyone could confirm that the heater core is the problem before I go to all the work on changing it out. Also looking to see if anyone knows of an easier way to change the heater core other than how the manual explains.

Terry

[jdmccright]

Do you have a cabin air filter? Do you also park the car where a lot of tree debris falls into it? Or do you travel frequently with pets? Is the little bit of air coming from the right side the same temperature as the left?

I doubt it's the heater core internals being blocked, but could possibly be the exterior fins being blocked by something. Both sides draw air from the same airbox where the core sits.

I ask because I've seen the cabin filter get so gunked up with leaves, acorns, pet hair...you name it...in my Vibe it prevented the diverter door from moving (have pics to prove it...somewhere). Now, on my car the filter is placed before the diverters, but if you don't have one (or did but took it out) then you might have some debris in there gumming things up.

[TerryWalter]

Hi Jdmccright,

I did some talking to a friend and he thinks that the air mix damper servo is the problem. Even thought I could see the arm moving he thinks that it is not opening all the way but rather only part of the way and that is why I don't have complete heat in the car. So I need to go back and measure the resistance between the different pins per the manual and see if he is correct. This would be a much easier part to replace than the heater core but just as expensive.

I did replace the cabin filter a few months back and the car is in the garage.

Thanks,
Terry