1998 Buick Century: Passenger vent responds to temp control, driver side doesn't
What is your question?
- With temp max, middle-level vents blew cold air on drivers side (always) passenger side responded correctly to temp setting
- Reset by disconnecting battery for one hour
- After re-connection, problem was solved; However, upon turning on-of car, problem was back
- Noticed that whenever HVAC was turned on, the A/C clutch was engaged (even though temp set high and ti was cold out)
- Disconnected fuse for A/C clutch -- driver side stayed cool (not cold). Temp setting still had not effect.
- After 10 minutes, tried lowering temp from max to min slowly, then raising to max. All of a sudden, hot air out of all vents
- Is there a driver side thermostat separate from the passenger side? Faulty thermostat? If it were just a faulty flap actuator that would not explain why the A/C clutch is engaged when it shouldn't be.
What makes this problem better or worse?
Disconnecting battery (resetting) makes problem go away for one time
How long has your 1998 Buick Century had this problem?
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If your vehicle has dual zone climate control, as noted on the controls, then you would have separate blend door motors for driver's and passenger side zones. I do not know what the set up is on a 1998 vehicle, but you would have two separate temperature controls. If this is the case, one of the motors could be failing, or the plenum door could have an issue.
Regarding the air conditioning clutch: the air conditioning compressor will engage as long as ambient temperatures are basically above freezing outside for almost all HVAC settings. This is to dehumidify interior air during operation, regardless of whether hot or cold air is desired. This sounds like normal operation.
