Test B: Air RECIRCULATION Malfunction

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: For circuit reference, see CONNECTOR IDENTIFICATION and/or WIRING DIAGRAMS .

NOTE: Definition: Air recirculation is inoperative or is always ON.

Perform DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK under SELF-DIAGNOSTICS. Go to next step.
Start engine. Place blower motor switch in maximum speed position. Place mode switch in VENT position. Place recirculation switch in ON position. Observe recirculation actuator drive shaft. Place outside air switch in ON position. If recirculation door moves from recirculation position to outside air position, problem is intermittent. Check for damaged wiring or faulty connections. Repair as necessary. If recirculation door does not move from recirculation position to outside air position, go to next step.
Place blower motor switch in minimum speed position. Place outside air switch in ON position. Place recirculation switch in ON position. If vacuum electronic solenoid module can be heard clicking on and off, problem is intermittent. Check for damaged wiring or faulty connections. Repair as necessary. If vacuum electronic solenoid module cannot be heard clicking on and off, go to next step.
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect HVAC control panel harness connectors. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Using test light connected to ground, probe HVAC control panel harness connector C1 terminal "B" (Brown wire). If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 11.
Using DVOM, measure voltage between vacuum electronic solenoid module harness connector terminals No. 5 (Light Blue wire) and No. 6 (Brown wire). Place outside air switch in ON position. Place recirculation switch in ON position. If voltage does not change from 0 to 12 volts, go to next step. If voltage changes from 0 to 12 volts, go to step 9.
If measured voltage does not remain at about 12 volts, go to next step. If measured voltage remains at about 12 volts, go to step 8.
Check Light Blue wire between vacuum electronic solenoid module harness connector terminal No. 5 and HVAC control panel harness connector C2 terminal A8 for open or short to voltage. Repair Light Blue wire as necessary. After repair, go to step 14. If wire is okay, go to step 10.
Check Light Blue wire between vacuum electronic solenoid module harness connector terminal No. 5 and HVAC control panel harness connector C2 terminal A8 for short to ground. Repair Light Blue wire as necessary. After repair, go to step 14. If wire is okay, go to step 10.
Check for poor connections or connector damage at vacuum electronic solenoid module harness connector. Repair or replace as necessary. After repair, go to step 14. If connections are okay, go to step 12.
Check for poor connections or connector damage at HVAC control panel harness connector. Repair or replace as necessary. After repair, go to step 14. If connections are okay, go to step 13.
Repair Brown wire between HVAC fuse (10-amp) located in instrument panel fuse block and vacuum electronic solenoid module harness connector terminal No. 6 as necessary. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . After repair, go to step 14.
Replace vacuum control valve assembly (part of HVAC control assembly). See HVAC CONTROL ASSEMBLY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repair, go to step 14.
Replace HVAC control assembly. See HVAC CONTROL ASSEMBLY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repair, go to next step.
Operate HVAC system to verify repair. If air recirculation system operates normally, repair is complete. If air recirculation system still malfunctions, return to step 3.