AC control level wont slide all the way to cold - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**IT Cowboy** · 02-09-2025, 10:19 PM

My HVAC controls seem stuck and the AC select lever wont slide all the way to the left. I searched and couldn't find an answer and I wasn''t sure where to put this.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 02-09-2025, 11:37 PM

That lever has two functions. If you flip it upside down and look near the back, you'll see where that lever comes across and catches the second mechanism.
The old grease forms something like earwax and freezes up the controls, so there's a decent chance you can free it up with a little cleaning and some penetrant
Levers and housing are made of pot metal, so be gentle

When I replaced a broken lever, I used a thread on here that showed how it all went together . I'll spit that out if I can dredge it up

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 02-09-2025, 11:40 PM

This is a start, references a Brother's Trucks video, so worth tracking that down, they're usually good
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=819112

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · Yesterday, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

My HVAC controls seem stuck and the AC select lever wont slide all the way to the left. I searched and couldn't find an answer and I wasn''t sure where to put this.

Hmm, even without the cables? Something jammed, broke, or clean and lubricate.

Should look something like this, shown without push nuts installed.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · Yesterday, 01:46 AM

I found the thread:
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...arm+repairHere

Shark_13 · Yesterday, 07:38 AM

Check that everything moves freely without the cable attached.

I pulled my heater box on my 74 to replace the core.

I found a bunch of random stuff that dropped into it from the defrost vent lol. Bolts, nuts, washers etc.

Worked much better after that was all cleaned out.

**IT Cowboy** · Yesterday, 08:19 AM

It got late on me last evening but I reached up under there and 1st the cables are all bent in a U shape under the plastic box. Next the AC cable appears to be too long for what is needed and it is "bottoming out" on the adjustment before the slider lever makes it all the way to the left. I suspect someone put the cables on wrong or used the wrong cable kit. It is also possible they shoved the cables back in the wrong place when putting the control panel in. It isn't that complicated and it looks like the toughest part is disconnecting the cables. Thanks for the replies

**LockDoc** · Yesterday, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

It got late on me last evening but I reached up under there and 1st the cables are all bent in a U shape under the plastic box. Next the AC cable appears to be too long for what is needed and it is "bottoming out" on the adjustment before the slider lever makes it all the way to the left. I suspect someone put the cables on wrong or used the wrong cable kit. It is also possible they shoved the cables back in the wrong place when putting the control panel in. It isn't that complicated and it looks like the toughest part is disconnecting the cables. Thanks for the replies

As far as removing the cables from the levers, check this thread I posted back in 2006.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=211815
.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · Yesterday, 04:39 PM

I too assumed the panel was off the truck, based on the pic

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · Yesterday, 05:34 PM

You have to be careful with the heater/defrost duct cable especially. It positions with the least about of pressure on its lever. Good idea to clean, dry and lube them, I may have used silicone? perhaps dry graphite a better option.

**PbFut** · Yesterday, 07:36 PM

There are cable kits that have Teflon in the cable sheath. The action on my controls improve alot. The amount of trash and rodent stuff in the vents and duct work will surprise you. If the ac has not been apart and cleaned, it is a somewhat easy job. It just takes time and a strong back. Removing seat helps to.

02-09-2025, 10:19 PM	#1
IT Cowboy Active Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Clarkdale, Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 139	AC control level wont slide all the way to cold My HVAC controls seem stuck and the AC select lever wont slide all the way to the left. I searched and couldn't find an answer and I wasn''t sure where to put this. __________________ '72 C10 / 402 ___________________________________________ Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

02-09-2025, 11:37 PM	#2
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 666	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold That lever has two functions. If you flip it upside down and look near the back, you'll see where that lever comes across and catches the second mechanism. The old grease forms something like earwax and freezes up the controls, so there's a decent chance you can free it up with a little cleaning and some penetrant Levers and housing are made of pot metal, so be gentle When I replaced a broken lever, I used a thread on here that showed how it all went together . I'll spit that out if I can dredge it up __________________ 1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 Code: __ ______\|__]\____ ....\|___(o)_____(o)_]

02-09-2025, 11:40 PM	#3
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 666	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold This is a start, references a Brother's Trucks video, so worth tracking that down, they're usually good https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=819112 __________________ 1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 Code: __ ______\|__]\____ ....\|___(o)_____(o)_]

Yesterday, 01:46 AM	#5
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 666	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold I found the thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...arm+repairHere __________________ 1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 Code: __ ______\|__]\____ ....\|___(o)_____(o)_]

Yesterday, 07:38 AM	#6
Shark_13 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: Post falls ID Posts: 38	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold Check that everything moves freely without the cable attached. I pulled my heater box on my 74 to replace the core. I found a bunch of random stuff that dropped into it from the defrost vent lol. Bolts, nuts, washers etc. Worked much better after that was all cleaned out.

Yesterday, 08:19 AM	#7
IT Cowboy Active Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Clarkdale, Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 139	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold It got late on me last evening but I reached up under there and 1st the cables are all bent in a U shape under the plastic box. Next the AC cable appears to be too long for what is needed and it is "bottoming out" on the adjustment before the slider lever makes it all the way to the left. I suspect someone put the cables on wrong or used the wrong cable kit. It is also possible they shoved the cables back in the wrong place when putting the control panel in. It isn't that complicated and it looks like the toughest part is disconnecting the cables. Thanks for the replies __________________ '72 C10 / 402 ___________________________________________ Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

Yesterday, 04:39 PM	#9
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 666	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold I too assumed the panel was off the truck, based on the pic __________________ 1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 Code: __ ______\|__]\____ ....\|___(o)_____(o)_]

Yesterday, 05:34 PM	#10
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,370	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold You have to be careful with the heater/defrost duct cable especially. It positions with the least about of pressure on its lever. Good idea to clean, dry and lube them, I may have used silicone? perhaps dry graphite a better option. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly guide (kit) for restoring this truck from the ground up, complete with details including full hardware descriptions. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM. My build thread, with some info. about the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; Yesterday at 05:40 PM.

Yesterday, 07:36 PM	#11
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 673	Re: AC control level wont slide all the way to cold There are cable kits that have Teflon in the cable sheath. The action on my controls improve alot. The amount of trash and rodent stuff in the vents and duct work will surprise you. If the ac has not been apart and cleaned, it is a somewhat easy job. It just takes time and a strong back. Removing seat helps to.



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