My 2002 Dakota started blowing air out of the vent, floor, and defrost at the same time. It didn't matter where the selector switch was pointed.

When I first started looking on here, all I could find was info on the newer Rams and all that I found pointed too a broken blend door. The few things about the Dakota or Durangos said vacuum line. All that I saw underneath was electrical, no vacuum lines. So far this is what I found. The vent, floor, and defrost are controlled by the same motor. The motor is mounted to a "cam" that controls the levers. This is all mounted under the steering column on the right side. The cam is mounted by the floor and vent levers. There is a plastic link connecting the defrost lever to the cam, that had fallen off the cam, leaving the defrost on all the time. After taking it apart and figuring out how to put it back together, the lever for the floor is getting bound up and that tweeks the cam. I think that is why the defrost link fell off. I am hoping that I can take it apart, clean it up and put some lithium grease on it, I wont find out until tomorrow. I will let you know what I find out.

 

could it be the a/c resistor?

 

I know its been a while, but better late than never right?

Cleaning the cam didn't work, so I did some more research and found that those systems are common for this problem. The most common fix was to take apart the dash and replace the worn out parts. The floor lever is loose and is binding up, causing the cam not to work. I had 2 days until my parents needed to borrow it for a road trip, so this is how I fixed it.

I went to the local hardware store and bought a spring and a small 1" u-bolt. Then I drilled a hole in the floor lever and attached the spring from the lever to the ubolt, which is attached to the dash support in front of the heating assembly. I hope these pics help. They are very low quality, but they show how I fixed it. The last two are pics of the cam.

 

I am glad someone posted some info on this. I have been searching and I asked on here with no response. Mind is doing the same thing. Strong air out the top and then some air out the vents and floor at the same time. I was about to start ripping into my dash to figure it out because the chiltons to put it nicely is friggen USELESS on this subject. Now I actually have somewhere to look and like you I am mechanically minded and would have come up with s similar solution.. Yours looks good though so i may just use it.. lol.. Thanks for posting the info on here. It will save me some time and trouble. Now if I can figure out my speakers, remote entry and slow going into drive problems.. lol..

 

Hello
I came across this thread and it describes the exact problem I have on my 97. For some reason the photos are not posted anymore. They would be a big help if someone could repost or simply email them to me.Thanks
Keystone Kid

 

Thank you very much Allbroncos
Your accurate well written description of the controls will help me
greatly in finding my problem
When I do find my problem I will post
Again I thank you for taking the time to help me

Sincerely
Richard

 

are those pics still available anywhere??

 

They will only let you post a certain amount of pics, I had to delete them to post more.
If you want to PM me your email address, I can email them to you. It probably won't be until the 17th.

 

I have the same Problem on my 2001 Dakota. Pic s would help

 

Got any pics mines also doing that also pictures please.