[gburbage4]

Hi,

I have a '72 Le Mans with a heater that's always on (low) blowing hot air. That's okay in January, but not now. What are some things I should look at?

Thanks in advance!

George

[indymanjoe]

Even in the off position? I had a couple vacuum actuator's leaking vacuum and they wouldnt move the doors to shut off the airflow across the heater core.Do you have A/C?

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

Even in the off position? I had a couple vacuum actuator's leaking vacuum and they wouldnt move the doors to shut off the airflow across the heater core.Do you have A/C?

Indy,

Yes, even in the off position. I do have A/C.

I think I understand your explanation involving the leaking actuators, but would that also cause the fan to keep blowing?

I admit I'm not the most mechanically gifted guy; that's why I came to the experts!

Thanks!

[2002Z4CSS]

Sounds like the blend air door cable is disconnected or broken. Easy fix when you remove the glove box.

[indymanjoe]

The fan shouldnt be running in off.That has nothing to do with the actuators.Do all the fan speeds work correctly?

[tigergto]

Sounds like a bad switch. Don't see why the blend doors working properly or not would make a difference. When the switch is in the off position the fan should be off.

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

The fan shouldnt be running in off.That has nothing to do with the actuators.Do all the fan speeds work correctly?

Yes, they do. It seems as though when I actually kick in the heater, on low speed there's no change. I think that's a good thing!

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by tigergto

Sounds like a bad switch. Don't see why the blend doors working properly or not would make a difference. When the switch is in the off position the fan should be off.

Makes sense. Is this a hard fix?

I know if I have no choice, I have no choice, but as far as I can tell, my car's interior has never been touched. Attached is a pic of the car you're helping me with: Anaconda Gold with Covert Beige seats and doors, and Dark Saddle dash and package tray.

[tigergto]

Something dawned on me when I took My GTO for its first ride this year. The fan switch does not have an off position. Just low, med, and high.

[indymanjoe]

Your right lol

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by tigergto

Something dawned on me when I took My GTO for its first ride this year. The fan switch does not have an off position. Just low, med, and high.

That's true, but the function control switch on the top should turn off the blower, no? It did on my parents' '72 Le Mans.

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

Your right lol

Since we're sharing dashboard photos, here's mine. The lighter is safely in the glove box so I can use a car charger.

[indymanjoe]

Sorry to get off topic,but the first time i plugged in my cell phone charger i think i heard my car moan in disgust lol

[gburbage4]

Ha! I thought mine would shoot sparks or something.

[tigergto]

From my 71 manual. HEATER CABLE ADJUSTMENT
1 Hold lever on top of heater case in full cold position. (full left or clockwise when viewed from above .)
2 Adjust cable turnbuckle so that the temperature control lever will drop into the detent for full OFF position".
Hope this helps.

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by tigergto

From my 71 manual. HEATER CABLE ADJUSTMENT
1 Hold lever on top of heater case in full cold position. (full left or clockwise when viewed from above .)
2 Adjust cable turnbuckle so that the temperature control lever will drop into the detent for full OFF position".
Hope this helps.

Thank you!

[rexs73gto]

Your 72 does not shut the fan off ever, it is made to run all the time on the low speed. If you look at you fan speed switch it doesn't have an off position. GM went to free flowing air in the cabin of the cars starting in 71. The fan is made to run on low all the time to keep air flowing through the car all the time so fresh air is always moving in the car. You have to put the temp control on cold to keep the heat from coming into the car. It's designed that way to make sure you always have some form of air coming in the car all the time.

[2002Z4CSS]

GM called the constant running fan "Flow Through Ventilation".

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

GM called the constant running fan "Flow Through Ventilation".

That makes sense because our old neighbors used to have a '72 Impala that did that very thing.

[gburbage4]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

Sounds like the blend air door cable is disconnected or broken. Easy fix when you remove the glove box.

From the "Ä Problem Well Stated Is Half-solved" file: I drove my car today and noticed that warm air only comes into the car while it's moving. If I'm stopped, nothing flows. It may be the door cable after all.

As for the flow-through ventilation, it must be a really low speed.


"...If I only had a brain."