2002 PA Mode Actuator Problem

Hi Fellow Members,

Car: 2002 PA, Base Model, 75k miles.

Problem: Air flow through defrost and floor vents only, will not change air flow direction when button is pushed on electronic panel. No other issues with A/C.

I have done a search in this Forum for the problem I am having and I only find older model PAs with the issue. I am hoping to get an updated solution to the problem.
I have phoned a good friend and Auto A/C mechanic and he told me it sounded like the Mode Actuator, driver's side, under dash. He said there was a way to "trick" the actuator into the "vent" mode and out of the "defrost/floor" mode. He just didn't say how to do it. I was initially going to take my car down to him to fix, (4hr drive), but when I called for an appointment, my luck, he is on vacation for two weeks. It is 110 degrees F here in Ocala, in the daytime, and I really need this "trick" for the A/C cool air to come out of the vents.
I have removed the panel under the driver's dash and found two actuators, one is closer to the firewall and engine, the other is closer to the electronic A/C controls.
I have pulled the electronic plug out of the actuator closest to the A/C controls and believe this one is the problem as I have turned the A/C on and it cools fine.
I am now in need of this "trick" to move the air from the defrost/floor to the mid vent zone.
Anyone out there know what I should do? I'm sure I'll need a new actuator, but I need cool air while I wait for the part.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Prof H :smile:

Since you unplugged the actuator, now you can remove it--2 (5.5mm screws) and then work the door axle back and forth till it blows out the vents- then you can hang a pair of small vice grips from it, until you get your new actuator...

This is if you have room under there of course--

I took the two visible screws out and then found a third, up behind the actuator and took it out, then tried to wiggle the actuator and pull on it, but no luck getting it to come out.
Can I gently pry it off with a screwdriver? Is there another way to get this thing off? Needless to say, I am drenched and have the shakes from the heat, I am in the shade, but the humidity is killing me! Had to come inside to cool off and give an update.
Waiting for help......

I know mechanics who break off the hard to get ones--then just use two screws to hold in the new actuator-- but you did not hear that from me....

I use a wheel wrench and a 5.5mm socket...works pretty good...

I know mechanics who break off the hard to get ones--then just use two screws to hold in the new actuator-- but you did not hear that from me....

I use a wheel ratchet and a 5.5mm socket...works pretty good...

I did get the screws out, just couldn't get the actuator off. Any suggestions?

Wiggle it side to side- it slips right off

Well, I've been at it again, this time with a butter knife to try an pry the actuator off, no luck. (As previously indicated in post #3, wiggling, rocking side to side, did not work.)
There seems to be something holding the actuator to the door panels it operates. It looks like a plastic tube that goes through the actuator to the door, but what do I know?
Don't want to break anything, so I don't know how much force to apply to the "pulling/prying" of the actuator away from the door controls.
Any help with this would be appreciated.

Update...decided to try spraying a little "Deep Creep" into the shaft/connector area of the actuator, let it sit a few minutes, then wiggled and it finally came off.
Now, I'm looking online for the part, but it is so old, the numbers on the label don't match any part out there and I can't find the part anywhere. All the pics of the parts I see are not matching up with mine, any suggestions for me?

Update...Well, found out this part is sold as a bracket, not the Actuator by itself. It is part #53 on the diagram for this system. The GM part # is 89018383 and I got it for about $90. The parts guy said I could probably pop off the bracket and use the Actuator alone, but I am wondering about the exact fit and if the doors line up correctly with the shaft cog. Anyone familiar with removing the whole bracket?

Have never seen one part of a bracket.......sure you have the right actuator? Did you rotate the linkage manually, to see if the air flow changes?

It's the right one, I was able to view it in the diagram from GM. I was also able to put a plastic clamp up on the door flaps so they would stay in the mid vent mode, air direction, so yes, I did move the flaps and changed air direction. I do believe I removed the actuator from the bracket, which actually is part of the air door mechanism. The actuator cog (plastic) is broken. I can see the crack in the cog. They don't sell this actuator without the bracket.
When I get the new part, I will see how to remove the rest of the bracket. I just wanted cool air blowing from the vents when I drove the car, while I waited for the part.