Restoring the functionality of the heater damper on a VAZ-2112

During the cold season, many Zhiguli owners are interested in ensuring that the heater is in good condition. However, what to do and what to do if the VAZ-2112 heater damper does not work? Is it possible to correct the current situation on my own? What could be the cause of a car heater malfunction?

If you properly care for your car and carry out periodic preventative maintenance, expensive repairs will cost a pretty penny.

Restoring the functionality of the heater damper on a VAZ-2112

During the cold season, many Zhiguli owners are interested in ensuring that the heater is in good condition.
However, what to do and what to do if the VAZ-2112 heater damper does not work? Is it possible to correct the current situation on my own? What could be the cause of a car heater malfunction? If you properly care for your car and carry out periodic preventative maintenance, expensive repairs will cost a pretty penny.

The main reasons for the inoperability of the VAZ-2112 stove

Before carrying out repairs, it is extremely important to ensure a successful diagnosis. Here are the reasons for this problem:

• lack of ability to adjust the temperature;
• the stove cannot change the heating speed;
• breakdown of elements that should distribute warm air flows throughout the car interior;
• violations in the temperature sensor installed on the ceiling;
• malfunction of the ACS controller;
• Antifreeze leak.

Carrying out diagnostic measures will allow you to understand what the problem is and how it can be successfully eliminated.

How is diagnosis carried out?

Before repairing the damper, it is extremely important to carry out diagnostics. What subtasks need to be completed?

Checking the temperature sensor

To check, it is recommended to remove the ends of the temperature sensor located on the ceiling of the car and apply a voltage of 1.2 V. In this case, it is advisable to apply the voltage to the plus and minus terminals. Then set the controller in two positions: min (blue dot), max (red). In this case, the fan should not rotate.

Checking the serviceability of the ACS controller

For diagnostics, use a multimeter that measures the voltage on the pink and brown wires. In this case, turn on the ignition and start turning the temperature sensor knob. It should be noted that if there are problems with the controller, the heater damper may not work. Despite this, additional checks are recommended.

Heater damper

The stove includes 2 dampers:

• the upper device is used to adjust the cold air intake;
• the lower device must control the flow of hot air flow from the heater radiator.

If the drive mechanism or damper breaks down, the heater begins to heat weakly. It may also fry too much or not provide even the slightest bit of heat.

And here’s what the malfunction of the damper of the stove in use may be:

• biting the device;
• jamming;
• drive failure;
• device distortion;
• jamming due to rust.

It should be noted that metal stove dampers can jam due to rust. At the same time, plastic models often warp due to hot air.

Checking the micro gearbox

An ohmmeter is traditionally used for this diagnosis. First, it is recommended to set the degrees to the minimum value and wait about 15 seconds, then disconnect the controller connector and, with the motor running, measure the resistance between contacts X1.4 and X1.1. In this case, the heater damper of the VAZ-2112 should show 3.2–5 kOhm. If a breakdown of the micro-reducer is detected, the car heater will have to be disassembled.

Problem: heating speed does not change

This malfunction may be due to one of the following:

• the stove operates only in the third mode;
• The device operates only in the first two modes.

The main task is to successfully find the location of the resistance resistor. However, in any case, repairs will still need to be carried out.

resistance resistor

Another possible breakdown is in the resistance resistor, and any car heater has two resistance spirals. If both spirals operate successfully, the electric motor of the heating equipment will operate at first speed. If the resistor operates on the first spiral, only the second speed becomes available. The third speed is the maximum and does not include the inclusion of a resistor. Because of this, it is extremely important to pay attention to the ohm resistor and understand what the problem is.

Heating device design

The heating of the VAZ-2110, thanks to which a motorist can feel comfortable in his mobile property at any time of the year, consists of several separate devices that work in close contact. The central device of the unit is the radiator, with the help of which the air flows entering the cabin are heated. In order to repair or replace the radiator, you will have to look for ways to get under the hood.

The second most important device can be called an air distributor, in which several nozzles operate in the “ten” of the cabin. Compared to the old-fashioned models that preceded the release of the VAZ-2110, the new car has an evaporator that has found a place in the air conditioning system.

The operation of the stove is controlled by a special control unit. In the VAZ-2110 operating instructions, this device has a different name (controller). The unit works in conjunction with a temperature sensor located in the cabin. The sensor transmits temperature information to the unit, after which the data is compared (the information displayed on the handle is taken into account). As soon as the system detects a temperature difference of 2°, hot or cooled air is immediately supplied to the cabin.

To understand how the heating element works, you need to pay attention to the handle of the device; Two extreme positions deserve special attention: MAX and MIN. The fact is that when you set the knob to one of these indicators, the system begins to give off heat, not taking into account the data from the temperature sensor.

The VAZ-2110 stove includes a device such as a gear motor. The task of this device is to open and close the damper. The small electric motor is extremely important in the operation of the heater. Even with a minor malfunction of the gear motor, the system will be able to supply the car owner with either only cold or only hot air. If this device fails when the damper is closed, the entire system will cease to perform its function. Main components of the heating device:

• gear motor.
• radiator;
• SUAO block;
• ceiling sensor;
• lever arm;
• a device that distributes air flows;
• shock absorber;

Purpose of the radiator

The VAZ-2110 stove of the new model has a radiator through which the air entering the car is heated. Quite often on the global network you can find diagrams in which the radiator is designated as a heat exchanger. The heating process in the device occurs due to the flow of hot antifreeze. The radiator is connected to the cooling system of the power unit through several pipes and hoses. The refrigerant circulates continuously inside the heat exchanger. The position of the damper determines the volume of incoming air and its direction. When the heater damper is in an intermediate position, part of the air passes through the heat exchanger, and the remaining volume bypasses the radiator. The diagram shows that the new radiator design differs from other models in several useful improvements.

Repair features

So, how should you repair your stove damper? First of all, you need to disassemble the damper and then replace it.

Disassembly stages

Knowing where the heater damper is located on a VAZ-2112, and having carefully read the vehicle’s instructions, you can understand what steps you should go through:

1. The existing liquid, which is to be used for cooling, is first poured out completely.
2. Disconnecting the car battery by disconnecting the minus terminal.
3. Removing facing materials, windshield trim and soundproofing upholstery.
4. Removing the fan that is installed inside the stove.
5. Disconnecting the clamp that is part of the vacuum hose.
6. Removing the heater air intake housing. These actions are sensitive and time consuming. If you first remove the dashboard, you can understand how to get to the VAZ-2112 heater damper in the shortest possible time.
7. The next step is to remove all the parts used to attach the radiator.
8. After this, the rear heater casing is disconnected.
9. The radiator is pulled out of the heater.
10. Now you can change the part itself. After a successful replacement, the problem associated with the fact that the heater damper on the VAZ-2112 does not work is successfully resolved.

Knowing how to remove the heater damper, you should ensure that reassembly is carried out correctly.

Assembly steps

The new part must be installed in a special way: the fork on its axis must be reliably engaged with the lever. This requires an open damper mechanism, so it is best to leave it raised. Otherwise, the element will not be able to open according to the optimal pattern and the stove will still not work. Only correct installation guarantees that the heater will function successfully.

If you are interested in how to change the VAZ-2112 heater damper, you should understand that everything will be done in the reverse order.

At the end of the procedure, it is mandatory to fill in the coolant and check the functionality of the part, the tightness of the hose structure and all connections. Then you need to turn on the heater and monitor it carefully.

Only if there is no such problem as the damper of the VAZ-2112 stove does not open, can you remain satisfied with the result of replacing the equipment.

Source

Assembly

Damper location

After this, reverse the assembly procedure according to the dismantling steps. Refill the system with coolant and check that the new damper is in place. It is important to ensure that there are no leaks and that the hose connections are not tight.

Turn on the stove and check how the heater behaves. If everything is normal, you have carried out competent and successful work, for which we congratulate you.

Heater damper drive VAZ 2112

On the VAZ 10th family, which includes the VAZ 2110-2112 models, the designers used an electronically controlled interior heating system, thanks to which the temperature set by the driver is maintained automatically.

On the VAZ-2110, instead of a manual heater control mechanism with a cable drive of the main elements - the coolant shut-off valve and dampers, an automatic heater control system (AHC) controller with a temperature sensor and a gearmotor that regulates the position of the dampers are used.

In such a stove, the valve for shutting off the antifreeze supply is no longer used, and the adjustment of the heater operating mode - “heating” or “ventilation” - is carried out by a central damper, which directs the air flow through the radiator or bypassing it.

How the oven works

VAZ 2110 models of the first years of production are equipped with an old-fashioned stove.

You should know that the design of the old-fashioned VAZ 2110 stove does not differ significantly from the new version, regardless of the power unit used, with the exception of a few points that will be discussed below:

• even micro gearboxes are different. Older elements have slightly different resistors. Therefore, before starting repair work, make sure that the appliances are truly interchangeable, and that you purchased old heating elements for the old version of the oven, and not new ones. Otherwise, difficulties will arise with the functioning of this element.
• radiator design. The main difference between ovens is this. So, if you intend to install a new radiator instead of an outdated version, then you need to take into account some installation nuances;
• The controller handle on the devices is slightly different. Old technology has a serious drawback: it is no longer produced. For this reason, position controls 4 and 5 manufactured before 2004 are not suitable for a new oven;

How to fix a stove

As already mentioned, the heating systems on VAZ 2110 models are practically no different from each other in design. And it doesn’t matter which engine is under the hood: carburetor or injection.

So the repair manual described below can be used by all owners of “dozens” of VAZs.”

If you are planning a major overhaul of a stove manufactured before 2003, we recommend purchasing a radiator first. A copper element is more suitable as it is more efficient and allows the stove to perform better.

How malfunctions manifest themselves

The automatic temperature maintenance system used on the VAZ-2110 is more convenient in terms of control, since the automatic control system does everything independently, but is less reliable than a mechanical cable drive. Moreover, problems are caused by the electronic and electrical components of the stove - the controller, temperature sensor and micromotor gearbox, the central damper, which regulates the air supply to the cabin from the outside.

Problems with the operation of the VAZ-2110 heater related to the damper:

• lack of temperature control (only hot or cold air comes from the stove) regardless of the position of the handle on the controller;
• insufficient air heating (even when setting the handle to the maximum temperature);
• squeaks, knocks and extraneous noises after setting the temperature.

The stove blows cold air

If the antifreeze is at operating temperature, the tap is open and the system as a whole is operational, then the reason for the supply of cold air can only be the formation of an air lock in the radiator. This problem is solved as follows:

1. The car is placed on any hill so that the front part is higher than the rear axle.
2. Open the tap on the radiator.
3. Start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes. During this time, periodically press the gas pedal.
4. Now we slide down the hill, close the tap and check the heating system.

Features of the design of the VAZ - 2110 stove damper

Note that VAZ-2110 of different years of manufacture uses heaters that differ in design:

1. Old-style stove damper

Old heaters use two central dampers, one of which blocks the flow of air into the cabin from the outside, and the second one redirects the air flow to the heater radiator or bypasses it. They are interconnected by drives and opened by a micromotor gearbox.

2. New sample

In the new type of stove there is only one central damper and it is connected by a drive to the gear motor directly, and not through a lever.

3. Under the “Euro” panel

Structurally, such a stove does not differ from the new type of heater, but in it the damper for distributing the air flow into zones is controlled by another micromotor gearbox.

It is easy to visually distinguish the stoves by the location of the heater fan. In the old-style interior heater, the fan is located horizontally, while in the new model, it is positioned vertically. Their gearmotors are also different.

First step: check the functionality of the device

• start the car;
• set the regulator to different positions;
• manually move the flap.

The plastic damper has a huge disadvantage: when high temperatures occur, the plastic becomes deformed. As a result, the valve may jam, and only cold or hot air will enter the cabin.

Old-style dampers are installed on VAZ-2110 cars manufactured before 2003. As a result of manual movement of the valve, the functionality of the stove can be temporarily restored. But such work cannot be called a full-fledged repair, since after some time the problem in question will manifest itself again.

It is important to pay attention to in what case the valve can be controlled. The breakdown may be hidden in the micromotor-gearbox if the valve is controlled with the engine running and the regulator in the extreme position

Also, do not exclude the control unit and microfan from the list. These elements can also cause the problem in question.

A malfunction of the control unit, fan and gear motor indicates that the stove needs to be replaced. This is the only solution to the problem. If the work is not completed in a timely manner, the motorist needs to prepare for more serious consequences and expensive repairs.

Causes of malfunctions

Depending on the design of the stove, the damper may cause a disruption in the efficient operation of the heater for the following reasons:

• deformation;
• wear of seals;
• deterioration or damage to control levers and rods;
• skew.

Deformation is a problem with old-style heaters. The first dampers of the VAZ-2110 stove were equipped with plastic elements that bent under the influence of temperature. Because of this, even when completely closed, cold air from outside leaks in and mixes with the heated air, and the efficiency of the stove decreases. Subsequently, the designers replaced the plastic flaps with aluminum ones and the problem with deformation disappeared.

To ensure tightness, the dampers have seals that reduce air leakage. Initially, foam rubber seals were used, which quickly wore out and became damaged. Later, foam rubber was replaced with rubber, but this only extended the service life of the seal; over time, the rubber ages, cracks and collapses.

On old-style stoves, rods and levers may break. On new heaters, there is another problem - wear on the edges of the square end of the gearbox, with which it is inserted into the groove made in the damper axis. As a result, the limit switch bypasses the groove, and the heater damper jams, although the gearmotor operates. The misalignment occurs due to the displacement of the damper axis in the mounting holes of the housing. Because of this, the damper warps and jams when opening.

Diagnosis of the problem

If the reason why the VAZ-2110 stove does not work is the damper, it is not difficult to identify it. To do this, disassemble the central deflector, turn on the ignition and rotate the temperature setting knob to its extreme positions. In a working stove, the central damper will not knock and will completely open and close the air supply channel.

If the heater damper does not move or stops in a position that does not completely block the air passage, it may be stuck. You can verify this by pushing the valve with your hand or a long rod. If after this the damper returns to its normal position, then this is the reason why it is jammed. Through the mounting hole of the deflector, you can assess the condition of the damper and its seals. If the damper is deformed, its bend is clearly visible.

Repair and restoration of the stove damper

The deformed heater damper of the VAZ-2110 cannot be repaired; it only needs to be replaced. In this case, it is better to purchase a replacement metal part that is not so susceptible to temperature effects.

Whatever heater is installed on the VAZ-2110, to carry out repair work, the heater must be completely disassembled. In this case, the process of dismantling and disassembling depends on the design of the stove.

A positive aspect of the heater design on the VAZ - 2101 is its location - to get to it and the dampers you can from the engine compartment and you don’t have to remove the front panel.

Disassembling an old-style stove

For example, let's look at how to disassemble an old-style heater:

1. Remove the terminal from the battery.
2. We remove the windshield wipers, the seal, remove the air intake near the windshield (“jabot”) from the car, in the process you will need to disconnect the windshield washer nozzle tubes.
3. We dismantle the insulation that separates the stove body from the engine compartment.
4. We remove the gear motor.
5. We divide the housing of the stove and air filter into two halves. To do this, unscrew the coupling bolts around the perimeter of the housings and remove the mounting brackets.
6. Disconnect the fan power wires.
7. Remove the outer half of the air filter and heater housing (along with the fan).
8. We dismantle the inner part of the fan housing.

After this you will have access to the dampers. If you are only planning to repair or replace the heater dampers, there is no need to drain the antifreeze, since the heater radiator will remain in place and will not be removed.

Before removing the dampers, carefully inspect and remember their position and the way they are engaged. Further actions depend on the nature of the damage. Deformed damper parts cannot be repaired and only need to be replaced. As for damaged rods and levers, try to repair them or simply replace them. The damaged seal is replaced.

When assembling the stove, pay special attention to the engagement of the dampers. Do it as it was before disassembly, otherwise the dampers will not work correctly, which will affect the performance of the heater.

Disassembly and repair of a new type heater

The new model stoves are disassembled differently:

• disconnect the battery terminal, drain the antifreeze;
• dismantle the frill and insulation;
• disconnect the power wires of the fan and micromotor gearbox;
• unscrew the fasteners that secure the stove body to the body;
• disconnect the coolant supply pipes to the heater radiator;
• We remove the heater from the car along with the filter housing.

After this, we disassemble the stove body, dividing it into two halves, after first disconnecting the air filter housing and removing the mounting brackets. Next, we change or repair the damper, assemble the heater and install it on the car.

Note that the general algorithms of work are indicated above, but in reality, dismantling the stove is not so easy, since many fasteners are located in hard-to-reach places, sometimes you have to disconnect or remove elements that make it difficult or interfering with the removal of the unit.

Video: Why the VAZ 2110 stove does not heat up. Modification of the damper.

The decision to replace the heater damper drive with convenient automatic control appeared almost simultaneously with the release of the 2110 VAZ model. A variety of methods have been proposed and tested. But it has not yet been possible to choose the final result. As a result, the automatic heater damper on the VAZ-2110 is installed in various ways.

When making an electric drive for the stove damper, you should take into account the following nuances:

– what type of automatic control system is installed, since this affects the connection diagram; – decide which micromotor gearbox (MMR) is installed on the heater (if this MMR was produced before 2005, then it needs to be improved).

Options for upgrading the heater damper to automatic adjustment:

1. Use a standard gearmotor from a VAZ-2110 model car. 2. Use the stepper electric damper drive from the VAZ 2170 (Lada Priora).

Dismantling

When the work to restore the functionality of the MMR is completed, install it in place. For this:

• Insert the pin of the micromotor-reducer lever into the slot of the lever. It is located on the damper drive;
• If the lever is not turned properly, apply 12V voltage to the motor connector pins using two wires. We are talking about yellow wires here. This way you can return the lever to the correct position;
• Having installed the micromotor-reducer, check it for operability, plus watch how the damper drive of your heater moves, whether the heater control lever “plows” properly to regulate the temperature.

We will repair or replace the damper and heater drive, you will be able to return the heater to its previous functionality and independently determine what temperature regime will be set inside the cabin of your VAZ 2110.

Principles of interior ventilation

Before you understand the causes of the malfunction, you should know the principle of the device and the rules by which ventilation is carried out. So:

• Air is supplied to the passenger compartment through the holes in the trim on the windshield : when the car is moving voluntarily, or forcibly with the help of a heater fan.
• Air escapes through the gaps between the inner door panels and between the upholstery, then through the holes located at the ends of the doors. The thermal insulation of the interior is improved by valves built into the openings, which allow air to pass out and prevent it from entering the inside of the car.
• The main part of the air is directed to the windshield; flows are directed to the central part and side windows through deflectors blocked by flaps.
• Air is supplied to the driver’s feet and the passenger sitting next to him through two pairs of deflectors: one pair is located near the floor, the other at knee level.
• Through a lining located on the floor tunnel and two air ducts built under the front seats, air is supplied to the feet of passengers in the rear.
• To prevent the entry of outside air, especially if the road section is polluted, smoky or very dusty, there is an air recirculation system. When the recirculation button is recessed on the instrument panel, the electro-pneumatic valve opens. In this case, under the influence of the vacuum that occurs in the intake pipe, the access of outside air is blocked by the recirculation system flap into the vehicle interior.
• The air temperature is regulated by the controller handle from 16°C to 30°C.
• Information about the temperature is read from its sensor by a unit with a microfan located on the ceiling. The unit turns on the micromotor when a temperature difference occurs, which controls the heater dampers. When the damper reaches the desired position, a signal is sent from the sensor to the control unit, which turns off the micromotor.

Malfunctions in the heating system of the VAZ 2110 and methods for eliminating them

If a control unit, a temperature sensor with a microfan, a micromotor, or a heater damper position sensor fails, it is best to replace it with new ones, otherwise the cost of repairing the vehicle may become significantly higher if it continues to be used with faulty components. If the moving damper makes a characteristic sound that can be heard in the cabin, and the air does not warm up, then the damper or its drive is damaged . In this case, it is necessary to replace the heater damper of the VAZ 2110 or replace the heater damper drive of the VAZ 2110.

Replacing the damper in the heating system of a VAZ 2110

Replacing the damper in the VAZ 2110 heater is carried out in the following cases:

• Exit from the working state.
• Constant jamming. This happens when the valve is skewed or damaged by corrosion. In this case, the heater does not need to be disassembled. Simply remove the centrally mounted deflector and manually activate the damper.

On a VAZ 2110 car, dampers can be installed of an old or new type. The old one is made of plastic with foam insulation, the new one is metal with a rubber seal.

Advice: If it is necessary to replace the heater damper of a VAZ 2112, it is better to use metal devices of a new type.

Removing the heater damper VAZ 2110

• Drain the liquid from the cooling system.
• The “-” wire is disconnected from the battery terminal.
• The trim, the frame trim on the windshield and the sound insulation upholstery are removed.
• The heater fan is removed.
• The vacuum hose clamp is disconnected from the heater body.
• Remove the three spring clips that secure the front heater air intake housing.

Tip: to make it easier to unscrew and tighten the screws securing the air collector, you can remove the instrument panel, unscrew the screws securing the heater and lift it.

• Remove the screws securing the front housing.
• The front housing is removed.
• The radiator is freed from all hoses.
• The rear heater casing is removed.
• The radiator is removed from the heater.
• A new damper is installed so that the fork located on the damper axis is engaged with the lever.
• The damper must be in the raised position.
• The heater is reassembled in the reverse order of disassembly.
• Coolant is being added.
• The tightness of all connections and hoses, the operation of the dampers, and the entire heater are checked.

How the heater damper is replaced on a VAZ 2110 can be clearly seen in the video; the heater damper is replaced in a similar way on a VAZ 2112 model car.

Replacing the heater gear motor

To perform this procedure, you will need wrenches and a shaped screwdriver. Installing a new part is not very difficult, so a novice car enthusiast can easily handle it in a personal garage.

Replacement procedure:

• remove the windshield wipers, unscrew the locknut and release the frill;
• Now we have free access to self-tapping screws;
• At this stage, you need to remove the rubber seal from the electric motor compartment. To do this, you need to unscrew the nuts on both sides of the frill;
• the damper pipeline must be disconnected so that it does not interfere;
• Unscrew the screws holding the gearbox thermal radiators;
• near the vacuum brake booster in the left niche of the gearbox compartment there is a motor that must be removed by unscrewing the screw securing it from below;
• The damper is assembled in the reverse order immediately after installing the heater gearmotor.

Testing the functionality of the installed element is carried out by measuring the resistance on contacts X1.1 and X1.4 with the controller turned off and the left regulator set to the blue mark position. If there is no resistance or remains constant during the test, this indicates a faulty shaft position sensor. Unfortunately, it is not sold separately, so you will have to change the gear motor.

Adjusting the heater dampers

By adjusting the dampers with your own hands, you eliminate the supply of part of the air “to the glass” when the lever that controls the air flow is installed in the heater in the “chest” or “legs” position. The photo shows the damper adjustment control units.

Adjustment unit with control lever positioned vertically

2 – adjustable rod for installing the damper “in the chest” – “in the legs” 3 – fastening the rod “in the chest” – “on the glass”. To do this, you need to shorten the adjustable rod by three divisions, and use side cutters to bite off the protruding tip on it. After performing such operations, the heater damper will be in the desired position, and the heat from the stove will flow better in the given direction.