'86 temp control lever

EdontheBeach · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: '86 temp control lever

early this summer after 180,000 miles my a/c compressor went bad, so i made the switch to 134 (no, i wouldn't do it again-if you have r12 keep it no matter what you hear) a new compressor and accumulator. it is not as cold as the r12 on those dog days of summer.

but the problem i have is that when the temp lever is moved, even a little, off far left the temp goes to hot. i only noticed this when, on some days here in FL, i don't want it to be COLD just COOL. there is no middle ground. lately it's been cool down here so i moved to HEAT, when the lever is moved, even a little, off far left it goes to HOT instead of gradually incresing from WARM to HOT. i've tried it and the heat is the same from just off far left to all the way right.

what happened? what can i do to cure it?

thanks for the help
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EdontheBeach

The El Camino Kid · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

i have 134 but the only a/c i use is 2-55 two windows down at 55mph Laugh

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NECOA #7220
1981 El Camino SS
305/350

dougs85 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

I converted to r134a about 4 years ago. No problems and did not change any AC components.

I would suspect your temp control valve might need to be replaced, that is the vacuum controlled valve just in front of the firewall that the hot water heater hose from the engine is connected. Also check the vacuum lines that go to the temp control valve.

Doug
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85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO

EdontheBeach · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

doug - thanks for the feedback

i've thought of that control valve, but i replaced it with a NOS item just 2 yrs. ago, i wouldn't think that had given up so soon. plus a new metal one is really hard to find. the ones i see are plastic 'made in china' items which i am a little skittish about. i bought a 'made in china' wrench a few years ago, it lasted about 20 mins. before it literally broke in half. i haven't purchased any car part 'made in china' since.
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EdontheBeach

mhamilton · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

Sounds like your blend door linkage has broken. Typical on these models, you can get the new piece from NAPA for about $20. Factory Air part no. 74806. Look behind the glove box, you will see the temp control cable connected to this part--the "T" sticks in the top of the duct.

Right now, I suspect your air door is staying at full heat, with the linkage broken. When the lever is in "cold" the core water supply is shut off by vacuum, and no heat. But, move it off "cold" and now you have full heat with no blend control.

Easiest way to check is looking behind the glove box and seeing if the lever is working. Once this is fixed, you will have a full range of temp control.

-Michael

Owen · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

Michael,

I tried both the local NAPA and the corporate headquarters. Both had never heard of Factory Air or that part number. Could you provide the contact info for the NAPA store that you purchased from?

Thanks,

Owen

mhamilton · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject:

Hmmm.... not sure why they can't find that part.

Advance Auto has it for $9.00:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=FAA&MfrPartNumber=74806

EdontheBeach · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:

thanks fellas - it was the blend door; specifically the nylon clip that attaches the threaded rod from the blend door to the unit illustrated above was broken. works like it oughta now.

thanks again
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EdontheBeach