Mode Door Actuator; Description; Operation - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

24 - 22 CONTROLS
BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH (Continued)
(1) Check for battery voltage at the fuse in the
Power Distribution Center (PDC). If OK, go to Step
2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component
as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Remove the a/c heater control from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/CONTROLS/A/C
REMOVAL) Check for continuity between the ground
circuit cavity of the a/c heater control wire harness
connector and a good ground. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open
circuit to ground as required.
(3) With the a/c heater control wire harness con-
nector unplugged, place the a/c heater mode control
switch knob in any position except the Off position.
Check for continuity between the ground circuit ter-
minal and each of the blower motor driver circuit ter-
minals of the a/c heater control as you move the
blower motor switch knob to each of the four speed
positions. There should be continuity at each driver
circuit terminal in only one blower motor switch
speed position. If OK, test and repair the blower
driver circuits between the a/c heater control connec-
tor and the blower motor resistor as required. If not
OK, replace the faulty a/c heater control unit.

MODE DOOR ACTUATOR

DESCRIPTION

The mode door actuator is a reversible, 12-volt
Direct Current (DC), servo motor. The single mode
door actuator is located on the driver side end of the
heater-A/C housing unit, close to the top of the dis-
tribution housing. The mode door actuator is
mechanically connected to the mode door. The mode
door actuator is interchangeable with the actuators
for the blend air door(s) and the recirculation air
door. Each actuator is contained within an identical
black molded plastic housing with an integral wire
connector receptacle. Two integral mounting tabs
allow the actuator to be secured with two screws to
the heater-A/C unit housing. Each actuator also has
an identical output shaft with splines that connects
it to the linkage that drives the mode door. The mode
door actuator does not require mechanical indexing
to the mode door linkage, as it is electronically cali-
brated by the heater-A/C control module. The mode
door actuator cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if
damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The mode door actuator is connected to the heater-
A/C control module through the vehicle electrical sys-
HEATER CONTROL
tem by a dedicated two-wire take out and connector
of the HVAC wire harness. The mode door actuator
can move the mode door in two directions. When the
heater-A/C control module pulls the voltage on one
side of the motor connection high and the other con-
nection low, the mode door will move in one direction.
When the module reverses the polarity of the voltage
to the motor, the mode door moves in the opposite
- direction. When the module makes the voltage to
both connections high or both connections low, the
mode door stops and will not move. These same
motor connections also provide a feedback signal to
the heater-A/C control module. This feedback signal
allows the module to monitor the operation and rela-
tive position of the mode door actuator and the mode
door. The heater-A/C control module learns the mode
door stop positions during the calibration procedure
and will store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for
any problems it detects in the mode door actuator
circuits. The mode door actuator can be diagnosed
using a DRBIII scan tool. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the silencer from beneath the driver
side end of the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL SILENCER - REMOVAL).
(3) Disconnect the HVAC wire harness connector
for the mode door actuator from the actuator connec-
tor receptacle.
(4) Remove the two screws that secure the mode
door actuator to the distribution housing.
(5) Remove the mode door actuator from the distri-
bution housing.
AN
PANEL/INSTRUMENT