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paul65k · 10-12-2019, 08:21 PM

So I just got my coach back from the shop after having an MCD front shade (day/night electric). They had the plastic shroud around the steering column off and installed the switches there. They also had to grab a switched lead from somewhere so that the 90% shade will only go down so far when driving.

Well not only did they break the headlight switch (had to glue the face back on and do contortions to get it reinstalled) but on the way home I noticed that the dash controls have no control over the direction (dash, floor, defrost, etc..) but the fan is working correctly and the compressor seems to be coming on and turning off......but the air is not being directed to the vents/floor with the control.......is this something that could have been affected when they were in there under the dash???

I hope someone can point me in the right direction before I pull my hair out

Ljwt330 · 10-12-2019, 08:36 PM

There is definitely some type of powered device that opens the dash vents and a/c controls—I can hear it when I turn the vent knob ON, or when turned OFF. It is an electric/buzzing sound followed by the sound of the vent flappers moving. Might be a small vacuum pump to operate the flaps which, I believe, are located under the dash via the front slide. At least I’ve seen a vacuum pod under there.

If you can, try tracing the wires from the back of the a/c knob, the one that directs air flow, maybe you can find a break or disconnection.

Old Scout · 10-12-2019, 08:50 PM

Notwithstanding a broken A/C switch, it sounds like a vacuum hose has been dislodged--either at the back of switch or under the dash in the genset area. Default air dam doors for AC and heat is in the defrost position.... Believe the A/C switch control head in dash is a mid- to late-90's Chev/GM product....

Alpine06 · 10-13-2019, 12:00 AM

Hi Paul,
Interesting enough also my light switch panel face popped off while set up in a winery in South Dakota. I was able to do the repair from the front not going under the dash. If yours ever comes loose again I can recommend “shoe gue”. It glues plastic well and stays somewhat elastic.
The vacuum pump lives basically by your left foot while you sit in your driving position on the opposite side of the firewall. So if you peek up when the gen slide is open you can see it. The vacuum line is attached to a small plastic reservoir the size of a tennis ball right next to. Because you mention it shuts off this means that the vacuum to the selector switch valve is building up. Now if you remove the curved cover in front of the passenger seat and pull the drawer back you will find some small diameter lines in red, blue, green etc you can easily make them out because they are shiny and more flexible then a wire. This is where to start troubleshooting they all go to one valve and from the valve to the dampener that directs the airflow.
I never had to work on mine but I took note of them when I took the drawer out to put the USB charging panel in.
Hope this helps.
Joerg

Old Scout · 10-13-2019, 06:53 AM

Couple more thoughts--am sure others can add even more--1. if you have a vacuum leak, vac pump will run all the time; 2. if vac pump doesn't run, it could be electrical, eg, the pump, pump connection, or a fuse; or 3. the dash switches. WRV used ACME Air products thru the build years. Company out of business but check out ACMEAIRPARTS.com, located near Kansas City, for parts/tech help. Not sure how much the ACME system used on Alpines changed, if any, over the model years.....

Jeff and Cheryl · 10-13-2019, 09:44 PM

On my Alpine the power head is from a '95 to '02 Chevy Cavalier. This is per Acmeairparts.com plus finding the part at a used parts place.

paul65k · 10-14-2019, 11:06 AM

Thanks for all the feedback guys

Went down to the shop this morning and they think it may just be a loose vacuum hose in the generator bay......heading back on Thursday morning to have them take a look....ini the meantime I'll take a look under there and see if I can just take care of it

paul65k · 10-17-2019, 12:04 PM

Ok so you guys were right

Took the coach back in this morning and it was as easy as a loose vacuum line at the pump in the generator bay in front of the driver's seat.

I got a chance to watch him troubleshoot the issue and while it was a PIA it's really helped me to better understand how the system works!!

Thanks again to all of you for your willingness to share!!