Recirculation Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The recirculation actuator is a 5-wire bi-directional electric motor that incorporates a feedback potentiometer. Low reference, 5-volt reference, position signal, and 2 control circuits enable the actuators to operate. The control circuits use either a 0 or 12-volt value to coordinate the actuator movement. When the actuator is at rest, both control circuits have a value of 0 volt. In order to move the actuator, the HVAC control module grounds one of the control circuits while providing the other with 12 volts. The HVAC control module reverses the polarity of the control circuits to move the actuator in the opposite direction. When the actuator shaft rotates, the potentiometer's adjustable contact changes the door position signal between 0-5 volts.

In some mode positions recirc function is not allowed. The following table shows the recirc and led functions:

Mode Position	Recirc Actuator Positioning	Indicator Light On Recirc Button
Floor	Forced to outside air position. Recirc is not allowed in this mode.	When the recirc button is pressed the led will flash three times then turn off to indicate recirc function is not available in this mode.
Defog	Forced to outside air position. Recirc is not allowed in this mode.	When the recirc button is pressed the led will flash three times then turn off to indicate recirc function is not available in this mode.
Defrost	Forced to outside air position. Recirc is not allowed in this mode.	When the recirc button is pressed the led will flash three times then turn off to indicate recirc function is not available in this mode.
Bi-Level	Recirc and outside air are allowed	When the recirc button is pressed the led will turn on and stay on to indicate recirc function is available and selected in this mode.
Vent	Recirc and outside air are allowed	When the recirc button is pressed the led will turn on and stay on to indicate recirc function is available and selected in this mode.