Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 2511

24 - 24 CONTROLS
MODE DOOR ACTUATOR (Continued)
Fig. 22 HVAC Housing - Dual Zone Shown, Single
Zone Typical
1 - NUT
2 - PASSENGER BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR
3 - NUT
4 - INLET BAFFLE
5 - RECIRCULATION DOOR ACTUATOR
6 - RECIRCULATION DOOR
7 - DRIVER SIDE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR
8 - HVAC HOUSING
9 - BOLT
10 - DEFROSTER DOOR ACTUATOR
11 - MODE DOOR ACTUATOR
RECIRCULATION DOOR
ACTUATOR
DESCRIPTION
The recirculation door actuator is a reversible
12-volt Direct Current (DC) servo motor. The single
recirculation door actuator is located on the passen-
ger side end of the HVAC housing, on the top of the
air inlet housing. The recirculation door actuator is
mechanically connected to the recirculation air door.
The recirculation door actuator is interchangeable
with the actuators for the blend door(s), defrost door
and the mode door. Each actuator is contained within
an identical black molded plastic housing with an
integral wire connector receptacle. Integral mounting
tabs allow the actuator to be secured with three
screws to air inlet housing. Each actuator also has an
identical output shaft with splines that connects it to
the linkage that drives the proper door. The recircu-
lation door actuator does not require mechanical
indexing to the recirculation door linkage, as it is
electronically calibrated by the heater-A/C control
module. The recirculation door actuator cannot be
adjusted or repaired and, if damaged or faulty, it
must be replaced.
OPERATION
The recirculation door actuator is connected to the
heater-A/C control module through the vehicle elec-
trical system by a dedicated two-wire lead and con-
nector of the HVAC wire harness. The recirculation
door actuator can move the recirculation 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 connection low, the recirculation air
door will move in one direction. When the module
reverses the polarity of the voltage to the motor, the
recirculation air door moves in the opposite direction.
When the module makes the voltage to both connec-
tions high or both connections low, the recirculation
air 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 recirculation door actuator and
the recirculation air door. The heater-A/C control
module learns the recirculation air door stop posi-
tions during the calibration procedure and will store
a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any problems it
detects in the recirculation door actuator circuits.
The recirculation door actuator can be diagnosed
using a DRBIII scan tool. Refer to Body Diagnostic
Procedures for more information. The recirculation
door actuator cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if
damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.
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.
DR