2014 rear ac blowing from bottom vents only - fix

[derfman00]

2014 Denali. Rear vents stopped blowing air from the top. Cold and hot blow from the bottom. Dealership wanted $645. Part was $40.

Through YouTube, i found a video on the location of the actuator (pn 15887322). This model uses two of these - one for hot/cold (not pictured), one for up/down (pictured). Same part number.

My rear ac unit is the one where the actuators are PITA to get to. These used to be easy to get to. Now - PITA.
Pro tip: take the tube off to get easier access

If you don't disconnect the battery before changing the part, you'll want to do so when you are done. Disconnect the negative terminal for a few minutes then reconnect. Turn on vehicle and let the ac calibrate for a few minutes. My actuator opened and air was routed to the top

Boom! $600 saved!!!

(I suck at documenting the actual work)

Tools:
7mm socket
T20 torx
Small ratchet

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Glad that it worked out for you, and thanks for sharing.

 

[Just Fishing]

I was just messing with this over the weekend.
I didn't even know there was a lower vent until I started poking around at it.

Hot days, I like ac blowing from all places onto me.


the big vent behind the middle row passenger side, nice and cold.
the vents on the roof, warmer.
Still cool, but not as cold as the front vents, air flow is also somewhat weak.

Lower rear vent, feels just as cold as the front.

I also saw that seam on the front of that panel.
It looked like it separated but I felt like i was about to break it trying to get it free.




The up/down, that's the one where it's nice and easy to get to?

And do you have any tips on getting this part to separate?

 

[derfman00]

I was just messing with this over the weekend.
I didn't even know there was a lower vent until I started poking around at it.

Hot days, I like ac blowing from all places onto me.


the big vent behind the middle row passenger side, nice and cold.
the vents on the roof, warmer.
Still cool, but not as cold as the front vents, air flow is also somewhat weak.

Lower rear vent, feels just as cold as the front.

I also saw that seam on the front of that panel.
It looked like it separated but I felt like i was about to break it trying to get it free.




The up/down, that's the one where it's nice and easy to get to?

And do you have any tips on getting this part to separate?

No tips on that one other than it may pull out by the window first (towards the rear) then outward. But I didn't take that one off.

The up/down is the easy one. The hot/cold is the one below to the rear of the vehicle