These videos are invaluable dude, not everyone can afford or wants to spend a ton of money on new cars or even cars that are a few years old. I had one of these cars during a hard time in my life and man I’ll tell you, it never failed me. Now I have a soft spot for them. Buicks from around this time deserve more respect.

1997 Buick LaSabre...same issue, tip worked like a charm. Thanks brother 🤙🏻

Started having problems with my 92 park avenue never had any problems till now will check it out thanks 👍

Also left a comment in part 2, did what you showed, 1/8 kept slipping of wires in the box, put alittle super glue on the wire slped tubing on, finished the job, works great, thank you

Default Default redirect the cooled air in late model GM cars (96-2000) 1. Release and fully open the glove box. Remove any screws holding the liner in place. This will expose the air conditioning programmer and multi color vacuum hose harness assembly. The vacuum source hose from the engine is black and connects to a violet flexible plastic tube going to the programmer vacuum connector plug. 2. With the engine running, locate the connector on the violet tube where it connects to the black vacuum hose. This connection is about six inches from the programmer. Disconnect the two hoses at this point to verify that there is indeed engine vacuum. 3. If there is not, you have a vacuum source problem. Identify the problem, repair it, and test again for vacuum and for proper air flow to the vents. If the problem is solved, then you can skip the reset of this write up. If there is vacuum present, you will have to keep searching. In all likelihood the problem is in the male vacuum connector attached to the programmer. 4. Remove the 8mm nut holding the female plug and gently unplug the female manifold vacuum hose connector. 5. Check the male connectors. If they are soft and flexible, this is the problem. Often in addition to being soft one or more of these nipples will break off and remain in the female connector. [/URL]This shows the clear plastic female connector in place on the installed programmer with the suggested flat washer (circled in red) added for strength. This shows the interior of the opened programmer exposing the offending hose harness assembly. This assembly will need to be replaced or bypassed with 1/8 inch vacuum hose. Unfortunately this harness assembly is not available as a service part. However, a similar programmer is used on "C" and "H" cars back to 1985. Swap out the Harness from an older programmer 6. To proceed with the following repair, first remove the programmer from the vehicle. Trying to fix it while still installed will invariably lead to cracking the case. [/URL]This clear, plastic female connector may have one or more broken nipples. If a replacement programmer or harness is not used, and a repair is needed, cut the connector off and bypass with 1/8" vacuum hose. [/LEFT] 7. If from a used programmer, you can salvage a male connector with firm vacuum studs, open the offending programmer and replace the harness assembly as shown above. Put the cover back on the programmer and reinstall in the vehicle. 8. Before connecting the existing clear plastic female connector, you will need to carefully remove any broken nipples that remain. Now gently push the female connector onto the male connector you replaced in the programmer. Be sure to reinstall the nut using a flat washer. Without the washer the connection may not properly seal. 9. Start the engine and set the controls for cool air. Remember, once the programmer is disconnected electrically it loses its memory. After re-connecting it and requesting air conditioning, it will take a couple of minutes for the system to work as directed. Retest and check again for proper airflow. If it works, you’re done and you can forget the repair below. [/URL]The culprit: no one is sure why the hoses of this harness assembly become so soft that they crimp and cut off vacuum. But they do, and then chilled air is sent to the wrong vents. This assembly is the same one shown in above, but removed from the programmer. If you can find an old programmer, swap out the harness. Look for GM #16258434 or AC Delco #15-72278 (fits a Buick). However, there are several programmer part numbers using the same harness. Don’t settle just for this p/n. [/LEFT] Plan B: Repair the existing programmer If you cannot locate a replacement harness, plan on repairing the existing unit. 1B. Remove the programmer from the vehicle. 2B. Open the programmer and carefully cut the colored plastic tubes at their point of entry into the black connector. 3B. Cut off the clear, female connector. Reconnect each individual hose (color to color) using 1/8-inch vacuum hose. 4B. Complete Step 9 above. You can save all this effort if you wish by buying a new programmer. But these can cost several hundred dollars. Considering that this repair only takes about 1 hour, it'* well worth the money saved.

the piece is called a programmer GM 16258434 AC Delco 15-72278

100% the problem thanks for the video 👍😎

Been struggling with this same issue on my 2001 regal. Not the blend doors obviously, but when I mess with the vacuum distribution block it will work for a few minutes.

I have a similar problem when I turn the cold button down the air come through the vents normal but when I switch the button to heat that’s when it goes to the dash and floor vents I’m going to try your method and see if it works 🤞🏽

I got a buick 92 its doing the same thing, when i turn it on i have to touch the wires the get it to work

Worked for me! You’re the best!

Thank you so much! I got my vents fixed haha

Thank you very much, I will see if that could be my problem

Worked on my 98 LeSabre

This would help so much more if you show us. I'm pretty inept and need help. I have 1999 LeSabre that has that issue

What size vacuum hose did you use?

That did help! Thanks!

thank you for the info bro!

Mode door!

Also how do you even get that connector thing out? I have my glovebox out and can’t figure out hot to remove that thing

so you eliminated that part completely? if so, what is its purpose then?

What’s the part called

I have a 97 Lesabre with the the same problem. The air only comes out of the top dash and towards the floor. When the Heater core exploded, i replaced it and right away I noticed the vents stopped working. Did you have to removes that box holding the vacuum lines to connect them. My father wants to take it to a shop to fix it but i want to proves his stubborn ass wrong.

What size vacuum line did you use to fix that?

Name that piece please

next time use a pin to point to item you;re talking about

I'm dumb someone help idk what he did