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Air Delivery

Description and Operation

Air Delivery Description and Operation
The air delivery description and operation is divided into 6 areas:
- HVAC Control Components
- Air Speed
- Auxiliary Air Speed
- Air Delivery
- Auxiliary Air Delivery
- Recirculation Operation

HVAC Control Components




HVAC Control Module
The HVAC control module is a class 2 device that interfaces between the operator and the HVAC system to maintain air temperature and distribution settings. The battery positive voltage circuit provides power that the control module uses for keep alive memory (KAM). If the battery positive voltage circuit loses power, all HVAC DTCs and settings will be erased from KAM. The body control module (BCM), which is the vehicle mode master, provides a device on signal. The control module supports the given features.

Auxiliary HVAC Control Module
The auxiliary HVAC control module is a class 2 device that interfaces between the rear seat occupants and the auxiliary HVAC system to maintain auxiliary air temperature and auxiliary air distribution settings. The battery positive voltage circuit provides power that the control module uses for keep alive memory (KAM). If the battery positive voltage circuit loses power, all auxiliary HVAC DTCs and settings will be erased from KAM. The auxiliary HVAC control module will perform a recalibration of the electric actuators when commanded with a scan tool or if KAM is lost. This will ensure the actuators are moving with in the calibrated range.

Defrost Actuator
The defrost actuator is a 5 wire bi-directional electric motor that incorporates a feedback potentiometer. Ignition 3 voltage, low reference, control, 5 volt reference and position signal circuits enable the actuator to operate. The control circuit uses either a 0, 2.5 or 5 volt signal to command the actuator movement. When the actuator is at rest, the control circuit value is 2.5 volts. A 0 or 5 volt control signal commands the actuator movement in opposite directions. When the actuator shaft rotates, the potentiometer's adjustable contact changes the door position signal between 0-5 volts.

The HVAC control module uses a range of 0-255 counts to index the actuator position. The door position signal voltage is converted to a 0-255 count range. When the module sets a commanded, or targeted, value, the control signal is changed to either 0 or 5 volts depending upon the direction that the actuator needs to rotate to reach the commanded value. As the actuator shaft rotates the changing position signal is sent to the module. Once the position signal and the commanded value are the same, the module changes the control signal to 2.5 volts.

Mode Actuator
The mode actuator is a 5 wire bi-directional electric motor that incorporates a feedback potentiometer. Ignition 3 voltage, low reference, control, 5 volt reference and position signal circuits enable the actuator to operate. The control circuit uses either a 0, 2.5 or 5 volt signal to command the actuator movement. When the actuator is at rest, the control circuit value is 2.5 volts. A 0 or 5 volt control signal commands the actuator movement in opposite directions. When the actuator shaft rotates, the potentiometer's adjustable contact changes the door position signal between 0-5 volts.

The HVAC control module uses a range of 0-255 counts to index the actuator position. The door position signal voltage is converted to a 0-255 count range. When the module sets a commanded, or targeted, value, the control signal is changed to either 0 or 5 volts depending upon the direction that the actuator needs to rotate to reach the commanded value. As the actuator shaft rotates the changing position signal is sent to the module. Once the position signal and the commanded value are the same, the module changes the control signal to 2.5 volts.

Auxiliary Mode Actuator
The auxiliary mode actuator is a 5 wire bi-directional electric motor that incorporates a feedback potentiometer. Low reference, 5 volt reference, position signal, and two control circuits enable the actuator to operate. The control circuits use either a 0 or 12 volt value to co-ordinate the actuator movement. When the actuator is at rest, both control circuits have a value of 0 volts. In order to move the actuator, the auxiliary HVAC control module grounds one of the control circuits while providing the other with 12 volts. The 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.

The auxiliary HVAC control module uses a range of 0-255 counts to index the actuator position. The door position signal voltage is converted to a 0-255 count range. When the module sets a commanded, or targeted, value, one of the control circuits is grounded. As the actuator shaft rotates the changing position signal is sent to the module. Once the position signal and the commanded value are the same, the module grounds both control circuits.

Auxiliary Console Mode Actuator
The auxiliary console mode actuator is a 5 wire bi-directional electric motor that incorporates a feedback potentiometer. Low reference, 5 volt reference, position signal, and two control circuits enable the actuator to operate. The control circuits use either a 0 or 12 volt value to co-ordinate the actuator movement. When the actuator is at rest, both control circuits have a value of 0 volts. In order to move the actuator, the auxiliary HVAC control module grounds one of the control circuits while providing the other with 12 volts. The 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.

The auxiliary HVAC control module uses a range of 0-255 counts to index the actuator position. The door position signal voltage is converted to a 0-255 count range. When the module sets a commanded, or targeted, value, one of the control circuits is grounded. As the actuator shaft rotates the changing position signal is sent to the module. Once the position signal and the commanded value are the same, the module grounds both control circuits.

Air Speed - Front Control
The blower motor forces outside air into the vehicle's interior. The vehicle operator determines the blower motor's speed when the driver places the blower switch in one of 5 blower speeds. The blower motor will always operate in any switch position other than OFF, as long as the ignition switch is in the RUN position. The blower motor and mode switches are located within the HVAC control module. The blower motor OFF input is connected in series with the HVAC control module by the off blower motor control circuit.

Depending upon the selected speed, power is provided to the blower motor from either the ignition 3 voltage or battery positive voltage circuits from the fuse block. The battery positive voltage circuit only provides power when the High blower switch position is selected. Power and ground are provided to the HVAC control module by the ignition 3 voltage and the ground circuits.

Low Blower Speed
When the Low 1 blower speed is selected, the HVAC control module applies voltage to the blower motor resistor assembly through the low blower motor control circuit. Voltage is divided between 4 series resistors, a blower relay, and the blower motor to achieve the desired blower speed. The blower motor is grounded through the ground circuit.

Medium Blower Speeds
When the Medium 1 blower speed is selected, the HVAC control module applies voltage to the blower motor resistor assembly through the medium 1 blower motor control circuit. Voltage is divided between 3 series resistors, a blower relay, and the blower motor to achieve the desired blower speed. The blower motor is grounded through the ground circuit.

When the Medium 2 blower speed is selected, the HVAC control module applies voltage to the blower motor resistor assembly through the medium 2 blower motor control circuit. Voltage is divided between 2 series resistors, a blower relay, and the blower motor to achieve the desired blower speed. The blower motor is grounded through the ground circuit.

When the Medium 3 blower speed is selected, the HVAC control module applies voltage to the blower motor resistor assembly through the medium 3 blower motor control circuit. Voltage is divided between a series resistor, a blower relay, and the blower motor to achieve the desired blower speed. The blower motor is grounded through the ground circuit.

High Blower Speed
When the High blower speed is selected, the HVAC control module applies voltage to the blower motor resistor assembly through the high blower motor control circuit. The voltage energizes the blower relay, causing the blower motor to be connected directly to the battery positive voltage circuit. The blower motor and blower motor relay are grounded through the ground circuit.

Air Speed - Auxiliary
There are two separate controls for the auxiliary HVAC system. There is the front auxiliary blower motor switch and the auxiliary HVAC control module. If the front auxiliary blower motor switch is in any other position than OFF or REAR, then the auxiliary air temperature actuator mimics the set passenger temperature. The auxiliary mode will mimic the primary mode. If the front auxiliary blower motor switch is in the REAR position, then the system will only function with inputs to the auxiliary HVAC control module. If the front auxiliary blower motor switch is in the OFF position, then the auxiliary HVAC control module does not respond to input. The auxiliary HVAC control module can not request A/C operation from the PCM. The rotary blower switch on the auxiliary HVAC control module provides the operator the ability to select several blower speeds.The auxiliary HVAC control module provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the auxiliary blower motor through the auxiliary blower motor speed control circuit. The auxiliary blower motor changes speed based on the received PWM signal from the auxiliary HVAC control module. Power and ground are provided to the auxiliary blower motor through the battery positive voltage and ground circuits. Power and ground are provided to the auxiliary HVAC control module by the ignition 3 voltage and the ground circuits.

Air Distribution
The HVAC control module controls the distribution of air by the use of a defrost actuator and a mode actuator. The modes that may be selected are:
- Defrost
- Defog
- Panel
- Bi-Level
- Floor

The mode and defrost actuators are connected to the mode and defrost doors by a cam type linkage system. Depending on the position of the door, air is directed through the HVAC module and distributed through various ducts leading to the outlets in the dash. If the HVAC control module detects a fault with the mode or defrost doors the HVAC control module will try to drive the actuator for a predetermined amount of time, to defrost, which is the defaulted position for the mode and defrost door actuators. When the mode switch is placed in the defrost or defog positions the A/C is commanded on and the recirculation door is moved to the outside air position to help reduce window fogging. A/C is available in all modes and recirculation is only available in the panel and bi-level modes.

Mode Actuator
The mode actuator is an electronic stepper motor with feedback potentiometers. The HVAC control module sends signals to the mode door actuator through the mode door control circuit. Zero volts drives the actuator in one direction while 5-volts moves the actuator in the opposite direction. When the actuator receives 2.5 volts, the actuator rotation stops. A 5-volt reference signal is sent out over the 5-volt reference circuit to the mode actuator. When you select a desired mode setting, logic determines the value of the mode actuator signals. The HVAC control module's software uses this reference voltage in order to determine the position of the mode actuator through the mode door position signal circuit. The motor moves the mode door to the desired position.

Defrost Actuator
The defrost actuator operates the same as the mode actuator. The HVAC control module sends signals to the mode door actuator through the defrost door control circuit. Zero volts drives the actuator in one direction while 5-volts moves the actuator in the opposite direction. When the actuator receives 2.5 volts, the actuator rotation stops. A 5-volt reference signal is sent out over the 5-volt reference circuit to the defrost actuator. When you select a defrost setting, logic determines the value of the defrost actuator signals. The HVAC control module's software uses this reference voltage in order to determine the position of the mode actuator through the defrost door position signal circuit. The motor moves the defrost door to the desired position.

Front Defrost
When defrost is selected, the A/C compressor is activated. The A/C compressor clutch will engage when ambient temperatures are above 3 °C (38 °F). The blower motor will be activated, regardless of the coolant temperature. The HVAC control module will override the auxiliary HVAC control module so a high volume of air is delivered to the front defrost vents. The rear window defogger does not affect the HVAC system.

Air Distribution - Auxiliary Control
The auxiliary HVAC system provides ventilation for the rear seat occupants.

The auxiliary mode actuator shares a control circuit with the auxiliary air temperature actuator.The auxiliary mode is controlled by a rotary knob on the auxiliary HVAC control module. If change of position is required for both actuators, then the auxiliary HVAC control module positions the auxiliary air temperature actuator first. All control circuits for the auxiliary actuators are at a low voltage potential until a change of position is required. The module then applies a high voltage potential to the appropriate control circuit, which will rotate the actuator.

Recirculation Operation
The HVAC control module controls the air intake through the recirculation actuator. The recirculation switch closes the recirculation door in order to circulate the air within the vehicle. The outside air switch opens the recirculation door in order to route outside air into the vehicle. Regardless of the blower motor switch position, recirculation is available only in the panel and bi-level mode switch positions. Including the OFF position. The mode switch must be placed in either the panel or bi-level position before the blower motor switch is placed in the OFF position. In order to reduce windshield fogging, outside air is circulated when the mode switch is in the defrost or defog positions. If the recirculation switch is pressed into the ON position when the mode switch is in an unavailable mode position, then the recirculation switch LED will flash 3 times. If the HVAC control module detects a fault with the recirc door the HVAC control module will try to drive the actuator for a predetermined amount of time, to outside air, which is the defaulted position for the recirculation actuator.
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