Inside/outside air damper?

Question

How do you check (or where is) the damper which switches the air choice from inside to outside on an '02 Chevy Avalanche?

When HVAC control is switched to inside air, the blower sounds like it is being starved of air. Other vehicles I have owned had a damper actuator visible from the engine compartment firewall, this one is constructed differently and sounds as if it is in the dash.

Answer 1

When set to inside air (Recirculation) the sound of the blower motor is usually much louder than it is when drawing outside air. The acid test is if the force of the air coming out of the dash outlets with the blower on High is strong on outside air and weak on Recirc then there is s problem, but if the air flow is strong at the dash outlets in both modes it is normal. The damper is inside the Heater / A/C assembly housing near the passengers side of the vehicle, the actuator is either on the top (most likely) or bottom of the housing.