In a 1995 GMC Vandura, air coming out of the defrost vents when the AC is on is typically due to the vehicle's HVAC system design, which prioritizes defrosting to prevent windshield fogging. When the AC is activated, the system may redirect airflow to the defrost setting to help remove moisture from the air. Additionally, a malfunctioning blend door actuator or vacuum leak in the HVAC system could also cause improper airflow distribution. Regular maintenance can help ensure the system operates correctly.
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.
the middle vents only supply air from the ac unit using a separate in dash fan. the floor and defrost vents come only from the heater
Cold air from the defrost indicates that the air doors are in the wrong position. The doors are vacuum controlled in most vehicles. check the vacuum system for a leak.
Air flow is controlled by plastic doors which are controlled by vacume motors. Could be they're stuck, or a vacume leak.
It does not take freon. The 1995 GMC Vandura uses the new R134a.
likely thermostat is stuck. The temp blend door actuator has failed.
vent valve in the dash bad or vacum leak leading to it. What would your recommend on how to proceed to correct the problem? If the vent valve is bad does that have any adverse impact on the engine's performance? How can the valve be tested?
The moveable "baffle" inside the dashboard is not redirecting the air flow as it should. It's operated either by vacuum or an electric motor, in either case, repair is going to require the removal of the dashboard.
Check all of your vacuum lines from the ac control panel and under your hood. You have lost vacuum somewhere witch controls your vents. There is one of them loose, disconnected or broken. Should be easy to trace. Good Luck!!
its hydraulic with abs
Yes
If the floor and defrost vents are both operating and you can't change air flow to any other vents, the dash control unit does not have a vacuum source. This vacuum comes into the cabin from under the hood. Look for a black plastic line coming through the firewall near the blower motor on the passenger side. This line should attach to a vacuum canister. The canister is generally round black plastic. What usually happens is the vacuum hose gets knocked off or the plastic line may break.