1997 LeSabre NO HEAT

[scooter101]

My 1997 LeSabre Custom has no heat. Over the past few months I had been trying to get the mid-level vents working. I do not know if it is related to the "no heat" problem because I assumed the heat was working but never used it because it was HOT outside (summer).

There is an actuator that is located behind the glove compartment door. I moved this back and forth some in an attempt to get my mid level vents working. Somehow this worked (a little). I now get some air movement through the vents. Not a lot and it comes only after the engine is running for a while.

Anyway, now I do not have any heat. Is there another actuator? Should I replace the actuator behind the glove compartment?

Where would I find a description of how to take the dashboard apart to get to this (and other?) actuators.

Any help is appreciated. Any pictures too...

Thank you.

[scooter101]

This evening while I was driving (it was now cooler out side than early today), I pushed the defrost button. Cool air started to come up on top of the dashboard. It was not hot air. But after driving for about 3 miles the heat finally did kick on.

I still would like to know more about this HVAC system if anyone out there can help. Thanks

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by scooter101

This evening while I was driving (it was now cooler out side than early today), I pushed the defrost button. Cool air started to come up on top of the dashboard. It was not hot air. But after driving for about 3 miles the heat finally did kick on.

I still would like to know more about this HVAC system if anyone out there can help. Thanks

Do you have the dual auto air where you set temperature by numbers on a readout? If the temperature (after you have driven and the engine is warmed up) will vary in the air coming out the defrost... you may have a programmer problem in a connector for the vacuum lines. Does the heat mode work and the air come out the bottom? Does the windshield/heater setting work?

[scooter101]

Originally Posted by imidazol97

Do you have the dual auto air where you set temperature by numbers on a readout? If the temperature (after you have driven and the engine is warmed up) will vary in the air coming out the defrost... you may have a programmer problem in a connector for the vacuum lines. Does the heat mode work and the air come out the bottom? Does the windshield/heater setting work?

It is Dual Auto Air. That is, there is a control in the middle of the dash and one on the passenger side. The control on the dash is one that requires pushing on a button that raises the digital heating number.

It appears very intermittant (that is, when I actually get heat). This morning I did not get much hot air.... but I did not turn the heat up all the way (90 degrees).

If it is the "programmer", where is that located? Is it behind the glove compartment? And if so, how do you replace it. Will I need to take the dash apart? Thanks.

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by scooter101

If it is the "programmer", where is that located? Is it behind the glove compartment? And if so, how do you replace it. Will I need to take the dash apart? Thanks.

Was the warm air coming out the defroster? Did it get warmer if you turn the heat all the way up? Does the air go to the floor if you turn on floor for the air flow setting?

If it appears the vacuum is not coming to the motors, you'll need to check to see if vacuum is getting to the programmer box. Start under the hood with the vacuum storage tank. Then check inside.

The programmer is behind the glovebox. Take off the underneath hush panel, remove the 5 screwss that hold the glovebox in place and you've got access to it.