Is my climate control syst working correctly?

[tmartin000]

I have the dual climate control system in my 02 GLS. I have noticed that if i set my temp to 70, I get pretty much luke warm to cool air (equally out of both sides if the passenger knob is centered at 12'oclock). The outside temp is near 50degrees. Everything works fine, I just don't like the fact I need to bump all the way to 74degrees to get much warmer air to come out. Also, when you move the temp from 70 to 74, the blower speed goes way up and switches to defrost and vent fwd. So the car seems to react to the heater number (temp you set) but the temp is too low coming out. ???



My troubleshooting notes below....

1. Disconnected battery for two hours.
2. Pulled Hvac and blower fuses, both fine.
3. Checked the passenger side, perfect opperation.

My feeling is that the thermostat IN THE CAR is off. (by prob 4 degrees or so) OR, the door that mixes BOTH SIDES IS OFF. But, I thought each side was independant?

What do you guys think?

[remark123]

Most dual-zone climate control systems (including the Intrigue, Cadillac tri-zone, etc) are only variable within a range of the in car temperature sender. Thus, if your driver control is set to 72, the passenger dial only adjusts the air about +6 degrees, or -6 degrees. Both sides depend on the in-car sensor to "seek" the interior temperature, and then adds or subtracts depending on the variable resistor in the control knob. I have noticed in my own Intrigue that the temperature setting of 72 is a little cold for my liking, so I just set it at 74 most days. It is all relative, its not like it is calibrated to any international standard or something.

[tmartin000]

Thanks Remark123. Your comments made me feel better!

I'm an electronic tech. If I could find that thermister, I would attempt to adjust it. I'm kinda funny that way.

At least it doesen't seem to be a bad door issue.

You know, if it wasn't for THIS website, me and my new car would be lost....