My wife just got a 2004 Tahoe with auto dual climate control. The Recirculating is always on in every mode except full defrost. When the selector is on: auto, lower, upper or both the recirculating is always on. Hitting the button results in the light blinking 3 times and then staying on. The manual states that recirculating CANNOT be on in the lower vent selection with heat. But it is.
Anyone ever have this problem or have an idea of where I can start looking? The biggest issue is that it is cold here and the only way to keep the windows defogged is to turn it on full defrost (which turns recirculating off) which then makes your lower extremities cold!
My wife wants to take it to the dealer but from all the posts I've read I don't want to deal with multiple trips and high bills. Thanks ahead of time for any ideas!

 

Welcome to the forum.

Was there no warranty at all? Sounds like a relay may not be operating correctly.

 

It was purchased "As Is". Would your suggestion be to take it to a shop for diagnosis? I'm pretty handy, but don't want to break more than I fix by digging into something I'm not familiar with. Can't find any similar issues on this forum or any other.

 

If you have an independent shop that you trust, then I'd take it there. Otherwise you're probably better off at a dealer but you might ask around if you have more than one to choose from.

 

Welcome to the forum,
If you feel you are pretty handy, I would suggest getting a set of factory service manuals and give them a reading as it may help you better understand what is and is not working...
http://www.helminc.com still has the factory service manuals listed for sale for the 2004 model year.... it can be the best $140 bucks you ever spent on your vehicle if you plan on keeping it and working on it yourself....

 

Jeff,

I agree, I have the service manuals for my 97 Grand Prix GTP and they have helped me keep it on the road for 215,000 miles so far. Sometimes it is hard to find what you are looking for but they are invaluable for the step by step instructions. I will probably get a set, but may have to take it to the dealer for this issue in the mean time.

 

Its something to try, try disconnecting the battery for about 10min and see if resets and works....

 

Gave it a shot, left the battery unhooked for over 30 minutes but with it hooked back up the recirculating light is still on in all modes except for full defrost. The wife really wants me to take it in next week.

 

If it helps.... attached

 

Thanks Jeff! Perfect details of the tests that need to be run so I can be fully prepared to talk to the tech at the dealer this week. If one of the auto parts stores around here would get the expensive scanner that does HVAC so I could borrow it, I could do most of this!