2008 buick lucerne mode actuator

[BigEd87]

My 2008 Lucerne won't change to any other mode except vent. I've read on other posts that it's likely the mode actuator. My first problem is I can't get the glove box out. Looking at diagrams it sure looks like it will be hard to reach. Does anyone have any advice?

I'd be okay if it just went to default error mode and went to defrost only.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[2008LucerneCX]

My 2008 Lucerne won't change to any other mode except vent. I've read on other posts that it's likely the mode actuator. My first problem is I can't get the glove box out. Looking at diagrams it sure looks like it will be hard to reach. Does anyone have any advice?

I'd be okay if it just went to default error mode and went to defrost only.

Thanks in advance for any help.

These are easy to swap ...on other cars. I saw a woman do it on an Impala on YouTube. It's under the dash to the left. The glove box isn't difficult to remove, you'll figure it out, think you have to press a tab and it pulls all the way down, figured out I disassembled parts I didn't need to. There's a metal beam in the way that makes it almost impossible to remove/replace that actuator unless you have some dainty hands and special tools. I think the formal process is to remove the whole dash.

HELPFUL HINT: If you pull the electrical connector to that actuator it defaults back to defrost mode (but will be stuck there of course). Mine still cools the front passenger cabin quite well with A/C only coming through the defrost vents and side defrost vents. Feet might be a little chilly in the winter if it's in the teens but I wasn't about to pay upwards of $2,000 to install a $50 part.

 

[BigEd87]

Does removing the glove box help in accessing the cable? I have the glove box mostly disconnected but I can't figure out how it comes out. I've unplugged the two actuators that I can reach but no change to the mode. One was passenger air temperature and the other recirculation I believe. I just don't see how to access that actuator or even the cable. I see the metal bar but that's it. I wonder if it can be unplugged from the back of the hvac control module?

 

[Albertlong92]

These are easy to swap ...on other cars. I saw a woman do it on an Impala on YouTube. It's under the dash to the left. The glove box isn't difficult to remove, you'll figure it out, think you have to press a tab and it pulls all the way down, figured out I disassembled parts I didn't need to. There's a metal beam in the way that makes it almost impossible to remove/replace that actuator unless you have some dainty hands and special tools. I think the formal process is to remove the whole dash.

HELPFUL HINT: If you pull the electrical connector to that actuator it defaults back to defrost mode (but will be stuck there of course). Mine still cools the front passenger cabin quite well with A/C only coming through the defrost vents and side defrost vents. Feet might be a little chilly in the winter if it's in the teens but I wasn't about to pay upwards of $2,000 to install a $50 part.

There aren’t any tabs you have to press on. You have to take the whole door with the tray out and it’s not on the left side

 

[Albertlong92]

This link is what I used to help me. It’s a video of an old man doing it and it’s not the best video but it helps