Under Dash Component 1996 Vectra 34RQ?

[DiemacoMan]

This lives under the dash attached to the steering column and gets exceptionally hot. (Not the part I am holding, but the one in the center of the picture with the steel cable going to it.) I am not sure if it's only hot when running or not, because I never think to check it before I start it at the storage yard.

I have been working on this new to me 1996 Winnebago Vectra 34RQ with the Chevy P30 chassis. I have come across a lot of issues that I have been able to solve, but I'm afraid this is about to become a new one.

I have all the manuals, but if someone could tell me what this is, and for bonus points if it is supposed to be hot, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Morich]

No idea of the real but actuator seems to fit or maybe lots of other terms!

A few points I would want to check are on locating where it came from and where it connects.
Where does the wire marked in blue lead? If itis someform of electronic control for something under the dash, finding what it controls would be a start. But maybe that is why you were under the dash as something has stopped working?

Maybe you were chasing a problem with the heat and air ducts not switching and this is meant to move some of the flaps to control the airflow? That might seem to fit a small motor gizmo of this sort??

What I see seems to be a form of control like we find on bikes for moving a wire inside a sleeve made of coiled wire? The outer sleeve should be solid, making the inner wire move in/out (forward/back) to move something at the end. Close an airflap maybe?

Testing all parts of the AC/heat might tell you something.

I marked in red something that looks "off to me. Is that white top supposed to be connected, covering the spring?

Lots of other points under there on new cars but that is my first thought. Getting too complex for mere mortals to figure at times!

[DiemacoMan]

Originally Posted by Morich

No idea of the real but actuator seems to fit or maybe lots of other terms!

A few points I would want to check are on locating where it came from and where it connects.
Where does the wire marked in blue lead? If itis someform of electronic control for something under the dash, finding what it controls would be a start. But maybe that is why you were under the dash as something has stopped working?

Maybe you were chasing a problem with the heat and air ducts not switching and this is meant to move some of the flaps to control the airflow? That might seem to fit a small motor gizmo of this sort??

What I see seems to be a form of control like we find on bikes for moving a wire inside a sleeve made of coiled wire? The outer sleeve should be solid, making the inner wire move in/out (forward/back) to move something at the end. Close an airflap maybe?

Testing all parts of the AC/heat might tell you something.

I marked in red something that looks "off to me. Is that white top supposed to be connected, covering the spring?

Lots of other points under there on new cars but that is my first thought. Getting too complex for mere mortals to figure at times!

Ha, thank you. I was thinking about it backwards, that the cable was moving that component indicating position. It's the other way around.

I bet it's the brake interlock, but either way I will follow the cable closely and see where it leads

Thanks again

[Morich]

Does it look like the top white "teeth" would snap down into a groove around the black bottom part?
what I can see is not goog from here but it looks wrong for that spring to be out in the open and maybe I see a rubber O-ring that is meant to keep dust/dirt out?

Can the white have been slid down into the black and has just popped loose to fly up?

Something should not be working, so that might be a way to go on testing.
If you are familiar with working on bikes, think of what happens when the control cables get loose?

[DiemacoMan]

Originally Posted by Morich

Does it look like the top white "teeth" would snap down into a groove around the black bottom part?
what I can see is not goog from here but it looks wrong for that spring to be out in the open and maybe I see a rubber O-ring that is meant to keep dust/dirt out?

Can the white have been slid down into the black and has just popped loose to fly up?

Something should not be working, so that might be a way to go on testing.
If you are familiar with working on bikes, think of what happens when the control cables get loose?

Some good info there, I will check it out when I get a chance to go out to storage.

Thanks again

[Bones2003]

I have no idea what that thing is but it looks like there is a solenoid in the back cylinder located below the white washer. It's the part with the connector on it. That solenoid either pushes or pulls on the braided steel cable. If so, I would expect that it would get hot when it is energized. Because of the spring, I think it probably pulls on the braided cable. Be sure to let us know what you find!

[DiemacoMan]

It is the Brake Interlock. Why it's getting hot I will need to investigate further, but thanks all for heading me in the right direction.