1990 323 Heater Control problem
 

Hello.

In my gf's car, the interior heater isn't operating properly. The Cable's for the controls are in good shape, and are connected properly on each end. Regardless, the air isn't flowing properly through any of the vents or dash. Nor can you select warm or cold to any effect.

With the blower fan on, it seems to be forcing a little warm air out the driver's under-dash side, and some cold down to the passenger side under-dash.

The cables operate freely, and there is movement inside the heater box when either is moved, but nothing happening.

questions:

Could this be a stuck flap in the airbox?
Any tricks or things to know about disassembly?
Anyone have a problem like this before with their 323?

Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thank You

RE: 1990 323 Heater Control problem
 

It sounds like there might be something trapped in the blower motor fan wheel. It is not uncommon to get something stuck in there and will not force enough air through the vent system. I would remove the blower and inspct from there for any restriction. It would seem almost impossible for a manually operated system to have that many problems at the same time.

RE: 1990 323 Heater Control problem
 

I took mine all apart and gave it a real good cleaning. It seems that chipmunks can get in there as I had tons of leaves, nuts and twighs etc... to clean out..... I put screen mesh around the air intakes outside the car so nothing can get in and affect the fan, AC... etc... Etc... anymore......

If you noticed water on the floor when the AC had been on then you know for sure the airflow is all clogged up...

Maybe this helps......

RE: 1990 323 Heater Control problem
 

thank you for your responses.

the heater motor works fine, at all speeds.

today it was particularly nasty at times in Vancouver, and our attention returned to the heater problem.

The temperature control will work, we got warm air again, but only a little is being properly routed.

i have narrowed it down with the process of elimination to being a problem with the mode selector. (i.e. defrost, heat, panel, etc.)
it seems to move a lever which then pivots another lever which i'm assuming moves a flap inside the airbox.

yet switching the lever for fresh air or recirculated air also seems to cause a problem. if its switched over to fresh air intake, it seems to close off things so that the fan can't push air anywhere.

i'm just starting to think that there's stuff stuck in the airbox, or that a flap is stuck or broken.

just wasn't sure if there was vacuum or solenoids involved with the system. i think i'll pick up a haynes manual for the car and see what the best method is for disassembly.

thank you for all your help.

RE: 1990 323 Heater Control problem
 

The system is all mechanical with cables. There is no solenoids or vacuum involved that move the mode doors. Here is a pic of the components.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1828/C0A43F3E898648B9AA0B59C21BF19163.jpg[/IMG]