2013~2016 Help Request: HVAC Air Blend Actuator

[Ryton]

Hi all, On my 2016 CX-5 GT the AC is colder on the righthand side as compared to the left. I've checked the refrigerant charge and it is good (~40psi low side). Therefore I want to check the left side actuator's function. However, I can't remove the left lower (floor) HVAC duct for access. It appears to me that a single locking tab needs to be disengaged and the duct should then pivot out. Am I missing something here?

 

[cadcamjim]

What you're experiencing is almost always from a low refrigerant charge. I'm not saying it couldn't be a blend door issue, but that is far less common.

 

[Ryton]

Hi cadcamjim, I agree, that's why I checked the charge first.

 

[cadcamjim]

The only true way to check the refrigerant charge is to evacuate the system, weigh what you took out and compare that to the specifications for that vehicle. If you only check the low side pressure, you have no way of knowing that the system is fully charged

 

[Ryton]

We can agree to disagree.

 

[RedBaron]

Had the same symptom on my CX-50. It was a refrigerant leak (i.e low charge).

I must admit I was confused as to why low charge would cause one side to be warmer than the other, but there it is.

 

[cadcamjim]

Had the same symptom on my CX-50. It was a refrigerant leak (i.e low charge).

I must admit I was confused as to why low charge would cause one side to be warmer than the other, but there it is.

Basically, one side of the evaporator coil will get cold and one side won’t when the charge is low. On some makes and models, this makes the left-most vent get warm while on other makes and models the right-most will get warm first. The CX-5 is constructed so the left-most vent gets warm when the charge is low. On my previous car, a SAAB 9-3 it was opposite of that.

 

[cz5gt]

40psi at what temp

When I had evaporator leak (diff car with 1234yf) it still kept pressure at around 50psi (warm outside), after 6mo eventually the leak became bigger and pressure dropped. but there was still some pressure left to not trigger the compressor stop even with a very visible hole and I can still turn on the AC , although it stinks from the leaking oil.

Nevertheless, it could be the actuator too mixing incorrectly. But I havent heard of any issues with those on the CX5s

Whats the temp diff in the right vs left vents?

 

[cz5gt]

Hi all, On my 2016 CX-5 GT the AC is colder on the righthand side as compared to the left. I've checked the refrigerant charge and it is good (~40psi low side). Therefore I want to check the left side actuator's function. However, I can't remove the left lower (floor) HVAC duct for access. It appears to me that a single locking tab needs to be disengaged and the duct should then pivot out. Am I missing something here?

Yes. There is a tab.
Insert flathead screwdriver and lift it up (at the handle side) to push/detach the tab. The lift up and out the duct to remove.

 

[Ryton]

Hi cz5gt, my charging equipment for R-134A reports that 40psi at 25 deg.C (my measurement ambient) is mid acceptable range. I had disengaged that tab and the duct would not budge which led to my help request.

 

[cz5gt]

see if this helps

 

[Ryton]

Thanks cz5gt! Those pics align with what I thought would work but no joy. I found actual duct photos on eBay and see there is a second hidden tab at the top. I'm going to make a tool to depress it and give it another go.

 

[cz5gt]

May be try to twist the duct up (as in 3. above) to see if it will disengage it. It could be the upper tab is just a "holder".

 

[Ryton]

Hi cz5gt, 3 above is what I meant by pivot in my original post. I don't understand why it won't budge so I'll try to depress the hidden tab to see if that helps.

 

[Ryton]

Hi cz5gt, just found this pic which shows the hidden tab. This design could prevent the upward pivot/rotation.