HVAC Actuator overtravel bulletin

[orwa daleen]

Hi,new to the forum here.

My dad has a 2004 suburban that has had this issue for more than a decade now,the HVAC is stuck on cold-dash vents-refresh, can't change any of the settings.

After replacing the actuators and still having the issue,and doing tons of research I finally arrived to the culprit; those gmt800s have a problem were the foam thingie around the blend doors deteriorates after time allowing the doors to travel an extra "tick" or two,that makes the HVAC system think that the actuators are shot and so it sets them to a single standard position and keeps them there.

GM realized this back in 06 and released a bulletin to fix this.it was an update to the HVAC system's software to allow those 2 extra ticks of travel on the actuators.

The problem is I'm not much into programming or anything with a screen,but to my understanding the case here is I need to upload a (file?) with the new software onto the HVAC unit,so I take the car to the dealership's service senter but they say it's too old and their scan tools won't work on it.


I read somewhere that some people could do the fix on their own,now again to my understanding you would need a scan tool to send the new updated software into the HVAC unit,and obviously you'd need the new software file,now the scan tool I can find at any shop but is there a way to get the updated software other than the dealership?

This is the bulletin I mentioned:

Bulletin #06-01-38-003: Intermittent Ticking Noise from Instrument Panel, Poor A/C Performance, HVAC DTCs B0229, B0414, B0424, B3770 (Reprogram HVAC Control Module) - (Apr 27, 2006)


Thanks for any help in advance, really appreciated.

 

[Fless]

Hi,new to the forum here.

My dad has a 2004 suburban that has had this issue for more than a decade now,the HVAC is stuck on cold-dash vents-refresh, can't change any of the settings.

After replacing the actuators and still having the issue,and doing tons of research I finally arrived to the culprit; those gmt800s have a problem were the foam thingie around the blend doors deteriorates after time allowing the doors to travel an extra "tick" or two,that makes the HVAC system think that the actuators are shot and so it sets them to a single standard position and keeps them there.

GM realized this back in 06 and released a bulletin to fix this.it was an update to the HVAC system's software to allow those 2 extra ticks of travel on the actuators.

The problem is I'm not much into programming or anything with a screen,but to my understanding the case here is I need to upload a (file?) with the new software onto the HVAC unit,so I take the car to the dealership's service senter but they say it's too old and their scan tools won't work on it.


I read somewhere that some people could do the fix on their own,now again to my understanding you would need a scan tool to send the new updated software into the HVAC unit,and obviously you'd need the new software file,now the scan tool I can find at any shop but is there a way to get the updated software other than the dealership?

This is the bulletin I mentioned:

Bulletin #06-01-38-003: Intermittent Ticking Noise from Instrument Panel, Poor A/C Performance, HVAC DTCs B0229, B0414, B0424, B3770 (Reprogram HVAC Control Module) - (Apr 27, 2006)


Thanks for any help in advance, really appreciated.

I would recommend, when referencing bulletins, to link to the actual document. Here's a link to the one that was referenced:

06-01-38-003 Chevrolet Engine Technical Service Bulletin

06-01-38-003 Chevrolet Engine Technical Service Bulletin

www.tsbsearch.com

When I calibrated the HVAC head on my '04 using the TIS2000 software that came with the Tech 2 tool, there was an updated "calibration;" however, the one that was needed for mine depended on the part number of the HVAC head. So if doing programming at home, get that part number first.

 

[orwa daleen]

Thanks for the reply,I actually didn't have anything about the bulletin except what I shared,and that's part of the problem unfortunately,I don't really understand how these things usually go.

So just to make sure, you're saying my understanding that the fix is simply uploading an "updated" or "calibrated" software to the HVAC computer is right?if so,is the updated software obtainable?

How do I get the part number you mentioned?my HVAC unit is the dual zone automatic one if it helps.

I realize I might be asking some obvious questions as I'm admittedly amateur in this,so thanks for the patience.

 

[Fless]

Thanks for the reply,I actually didn't have anything about the bulletin except what I shared,and that's part of the problem unfortunately,I don't really understand how these things usually go.

So just to make sure, you're saying my understanding that the fix is simply uploading an "updated" or "calibrated" software to the HVAC computer is right?if so,is the updated software obtainable?

How do I get the part number you mentioned?my HVAC unit is the dual zone automatic one if it helps.

I realize I might be asking some obvious questions as I'm admittedly amateur in this,so thanks for the patience.

I'm not sure if an updated calibration will fix your specific issue. $ at the dealer or someone who can program modules using TDS online (or, if they have a Tech 2 and TIS2000 on a computer).

TDS: https://www.acdelcotds.com/subscriptions

What I mentioned was the AUTO HVAC head, which I have. To get the part number, pull the HVAC unit out and find the number on it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

@swathdiver may be able to provide some additional perspectives on your issue and a solution.

 

[orwa daleen]

Let's just say it has seen better days,it has been through a lot after about 500k miles,been the family car since 09.

It also has the AWD system.

 

[swathdiver]

Hi,new to the forum here.

My dad has a 2004 suburban that has had this issue for more than a decade now,the HVAC is stuck on cold-dash vents-refresh, can't change any of the settings.

After replacing the actuators and still having the issue,and doing tons of research I finally arrived to the culprit; those gmt800s have a problem were the foam thingie around the blend doors deteriorates after time allowing the doors to travel an extra "tick" or two,that makes the HVAC system think that the actuators are shot and so it sets them to a single standard position and keeps them there.

GM realized this back in 06 and released a bulletin to fix this.it was an update to the HVAC system's software to allow those 2 extra ticks of travel on the actuators.

The problem is I'm not much into programming or anything with a screen,but to my understanding the case here is I need to upload a (file?) with the new software onto the HVAC unit,so I take the car to the dealership's service senter but they say it's too old and their scan tools won't work on it.


I read somewhere that some people could do the fix on their own,now again to my understanding you would need a scan tool to send the new updated software into the HVAC unit,and obviously you'd need the new software file,now the scan tool I can find at any shop but is there a way to get the updated software other than the dealership?

This is the bulletin I mentioned:

Bulletin #06-01-38-003: Intermittent Ticking Noise from Instrument Panel, Poor A/C Performance, HVAC DTCs B0229, B0414, B0424, B3770 (Reprogram HVAC Control Module) - (Apr 27, 2006)


Thanks for any help in advance, really appreciated.

On YouTube, South Main Auto Repair has a video on how to mechanically fix this.

 

[orwa daleen]

On YouTube, South Main Auto Repair has a video on how to mechanically fix this.

I saw the one they have on replacing the actuators but that's it,is there a different one that you're talking about?

And I did in fact replace the actuators,but nothing got fixed and that's how I got to read even more about it and find this HVAC system update that's needed.

 

[swathdiver]

I saw the one they have on replacing the actuators but that's it,is there a different one that you're talking about?

And I did in fact replace the actuators,but nothing got fixed and that's how I got to read even more about it and find this HVAC system update that's needed.

 

[orwa daleen]

Thank you!

Actually now that I watched it again,this is where I got this whole idea from,then went on the internet and found the related bulletin,but if I can't get the HVAC unit recalibrated I just might go with this "screw stopper" technique.