There are a couple of possibilities. The vent diverters are either physically stuck in the duct work or the diverter motion has been stopped by losing a power source. The diverter is the vane within the duct that changes the location/direction of the fan controlled air movement in the vehicle cockpit... whether it's providing heat or air conditioning. The power loss could be the electrical wiring, fusing, motor or the solenoid providing the positioning of the vane. Another possibility is the "defrost" selection or button is always on or enabled. I hope this will help you in determining the problem. WBT
If the heat selector will not switch from defrost to the dash or foot vents on a 1992 Buick, it is possible that the cable connected to the vent is broken. When the selector is moved from defrost, a cable opens the other selected vents on the heater.
The 1984 Buick uses vacuum lines to change air flow from defroster to ac vents. Check the entire vacuum system for leaks.
on your car it is a defalt mode for air to blow out defrost when there is no vacumn from the engine so you should look for a broken vacum line or see if it has come unplugged on the engine.
When there is a problem in the vent system it defaults to defrost setting. Check the doors & vac supply
The vacuum supply line from the engine is disconnected or broken. When the vacuum supply is cut off the system defaults to the defrost mode.
Check for a vacuum leak -sounds like it is starving for vacuum and reverts to the default position
You have a vacuum leak causing your vents to switch from dash to defrost.
When there is a problem with the vent system it dfaults to the defrost setting. Sounds like you have a problem in the doors that direct the air flow.
Most likely a bad or disconnected vacuum hose to the defrost/floor selector in the heater ducting.
Vacuum leak
The mode door actuator has failed. We have instructions for repair at www.trailvoy.com
That's probably steam from a leaky heater core.