Heat Only in Front Unless on LO

[mudbog]

I recently changed the air mix motor on my '03 Pilot EX-L to get rid of the common chattering noise behind the glove box. After I replaced the motor, I get no more chattering but now the heat is alway on fully in the front unless I turn the temperature dial the whole way to LO.

I confirmed that the air mix motor and linkage to the water valve are all moving when I turn the temperature dial. I also checked the screw on top of the water valve to make sure it was not loose. By comparison, the vents for the rear seats seem to maintain the temperature OK. That is when I turn the temp dial to a lower temp, the temp at the reat seat vents goes down.

Any ideas what could be causing this? I there some type of adjustment or calibration that needs to be done when replacing the air mix motor?

[mudbog]

Nevermind. I figured it out. On the air mix valve, in addition to connecting the metal rod to the cable for the water valve, there is a pin on the air mix motor arm that needs to engage with a white plastic slider that looks like it operates a baffle inside the ductwork. Once I lined up the metal pin correctly, everything worked OK. ...and no more chattering under the dash.

[05220713]

Hi Mudbog, when time permits could you or possibly someone else help me identify exactly where the air mix motor is on a 03 Pilot EX-L? I am now having the same problem where the A/C only blows cold in the front when on LO, in fact one degree over the low setting it starts to blow warm air.

I know where the blower motor is and have removed that in the past to retrieve a small piece of paper that made its way into the blower fan.

[mudbog]

05220713,
On the front passenger side, there is a plastic kickpanel to the left of where your feet go. The kickpanel is about 6" high and 2 feet long. The kickpanel snaps into place into the lower part of the center console with about 7 or 8 snap clips. Remove that kickpanel being careful not to lose any of the clips. Once the kickpanel is removed, look up under the dash in that area and you'll see the air mix motor. It is the part with the green electrical connector and it is held in place with 3 screws and a clip on the metal rod.

You can actually see the air mix motor without removing the kickpanel but I had to remove the kickpanel to get a screwdriver in there.

[mudbog]

Here's a picture of the air mix motor as viewed from under the dash.

[05220713]

Thanks Mudbog, I figured that might be the part as I was just outside looking at it. So when you take this off with the 3-4 screws there are a few items that need to be reconnected inside, right? I see the blue and silver cables/rods on the oustide already.

Scott

[mudbog]

There's a silver rod that clips in place with a plastic retainer. The best way to unclip it is with needle nose pliers. It's a bit tricky working upside down but it can be done.