HVAC temperature blend door not moving after replacing actuator

Good afternoon,

Did you calibrate the new actuator?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

I posted the procedure below. Give that a try to see if that fixes it.

Roy

Actuator Re-calibration

The HVAC control module will relearn the actuator limits whenever power is disconnected and re-connected to the module.

Use the following steps to perform the calibration update:

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the battery positive voltage circuit fuse of the HVAC Control Module.

Important: The scan tool must be disconnected from the vehicle to properly perform the calibration procedure. If a scan tool is connected before this procedure is completed, then new calibration values will not be stored.

Important: Failure to wait 60 seconds will not allow the HVAC control module sufficient time to clear the old calibration values.

3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Install the fuse.
5. Turn "on" the ignition.
6. Wait 60 seconds before installing a scan tool.

Well, I think I followed the steps. Here's what I did:
Turned off car.
Disconnected the car battery.
Removed the fuse in the picture.
Reconnected battery.
Reinstalled fuse.
Turned car to on position.

I heard actuators moving but there is no change. The blend door still does not open.

Did I pull the right fuse? It's from the box left of the steering column.

Thanks for your help and patience.

Okay, yes you did.

We need to test the voltages at the actuator to see if it is a wiring issue or a control head issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

I attached the wiring diagram below.

Roy

Roy,
I do have a voltmeter but must admit, I've not used it much. I'm not sure what I am supposed to check or how to use the diagrams you sent. Sorry to be so inexperienced. I appreciate your patience.

Do I need to pull the HVAC controls out of the dash to get the what needs to be tested?

No, this needs to be done right at the actuator connector.

Roy

I removed the actuator and can see that the actuator has moved.

Does the door it is attached to move freely?

Roy

After removing the actuator, I can move the door by rotating the part that was in the actuator. When I move it to the left it provides cold air. When I rotate it to the right I get hot air.

Okay, when you command heat and cold with the actuator off and the wires connected, does the actuator move or does the motor work in the actuator?

Roy

I have not tried that yet. So plug in the actuator and then turn the temperature control. I should have thought of that. I'll try it and get back to you. Thanks.

You are welcome.

Roy

When I plug it in and then turn the car on it only goes one direction. It does not go the opposite. I’m guessing it’s not reacting to The setting but simply to bring plugged in and that the problem is elsewhere. I have nit iced the back lighting on the HVAC controls are only working on half of each dial. Could this be a clue? Could it be a bad control module?

This arrow shows the only direction of travel.

Yes, this sounds like the control head.

I attached a picture and the procedure for you.

I also attached a picture of the part for you as well.



Roy

1. Remove the instrument cluster trim plate bezel.
2. Remove the instrument panel storage tray.
3. Remove the inflatable restraint module switch from the instrument panel. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement in Restraint Systems.
4. Remove the HVAC control assembly.
4.1.Release the retaining tabs.
4.2.Pull the control head out of the instrument panel carrier.
5. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the HVAC control assembly.

I replaced the control module and the lights on it are working. I see now though that the lights on the stereo are now not fully illuminating. And the door does not open even with a new actuator. Any other ideas? Is the stereo an indicator of sorts?

Okay, you are going to need some help with the voltmeter to do some voltage checks.

Let me know when you are ready.

Roy

I’m ready.

Okay, turn the key to the on position and remove the connector at the actuator.

Check the brown wire for battery voltage.

Roy

How exactly do I do that? What setting should I have on the voltmeter? This is how I had it set. When I touch the red probe to the brown wire the volt meter goes to .4 and the drops back to zero.

Put the setting on 20.

Black lead to a good steel body ground and the red lead to the brown wire.

I posted a guide for you a ways back on how to use a voltmeter. You should take a little time to read the guide.

Roy

Thanks for the guide. I also reviewed another online. I supposed my lack of confidence with the voltmeter came through. I also want well grounded even though I though I was. It reads 12.15.

Okay, the gray wire should have 5 volts. Check that for me.

Roy

Here is what I found:

Gray - 5.08
Light blue - 4.3

Gray 0 .04
Blue 4.85
Brown 12.15

Okay, check the light blue. See if the voltage changes when you command heat and A/C. That voltage should go up and down.

Roy

Also, could it be that I simply have the wrong replacement part? The part on the left in the pictures is the one that I pulled out. The right is the one I bought. I did buy the part off Amazon. While Amazon says it's the right part of the vehicle, perhaps it's not what is needed? The picture with the part numbers is the old part. The new part doesn't have any labels the pins appear to be the same - 5 pins with 3 next to each other, a space, and then 2 more pins.

They seem to be correct.

Roy

I tried it with the ignition in the on position and then with the car running. I turned the fan and heat all the way up. Light blue was 4.31 on one reading and 4. 32 on the second.

What kind of control head did you use? That signal comes from the control head and should change.

Roy

I just turned the fan knob to high and the temperature knob to high. I also set the foot as where to direct the heat. If the control head is the HVAC Control Module? that I replaced it's the same as what was there before with a plug that goes into the back.

If you change to cold, does the voltage change?

Roy

No. Nothing changes when I move the temperature selector. it's the same when calling for cold or hot.

Does the voltage change on the gray or dark blue when you change from cool to hot?

Roy

They do not. No change from cold to hot.

This is all pointing back to the control head itself.

Where did you get this control head?

Roy

Local recycled part. Not new. Do these commonly fail?

Okay, that explains it.

Get a new one.

I attached the part in one of my past posts from Rock Auto.

Roy

Thank you for taking so much time to help me.

No problem.

Glad to help.

Roy

Roy,

I'm back! :) I am still chasing down this actuator issue. I purchased a module from Rock Auto and installed it along with a new blend door actuator. The temperature blend door still does not adjust when I adjust the temperature dial on the HVAC control panel in the dash. Any ideas on what else to consider? This did work up until last winter when it simply stopped working. Are there specific fuses or relays? I should look at? I think I pulled and inspected all the fuses. Is there one I should simply replace or would a bad fuse bring the entire control panel offline? Thanks for taking the time to give this some thought.

I'm sorry to hear about the issue you're experiencing with the temperature blend door in your vehicle's HVAC system. From your description, it seems that the actuator replacement did not resolve the problem. Here are a few additional steps you can take to further diagnose and potentially solve the issue:

Verify actuator installation: Double-check that the actuator is correctly installed and securely connected to the blend door. Ensure that the actuator's linkage is properly aligned with the blend door's linkage. It's possible that the actuator may not be properly engaging with the blend door, preventing it from moving.

Test actuator functionality: With the actuator installed, disconnect the actuator's electrical connector while the vehicle is running and the HVAC system is on. Then, manually change the temperature setting on the control panel. Listen for any clicking or movement from the actuator. If you hear and observe the actuator moving, it could indicate that the issue lies elsewhere in the HVAC system, such as the blend door itself or the control module.

Inspect blend door operation: If the actuator is functioning properly, it's important to check the blend door's movement directly. Remove the actuator again and manually move the blend door by hand while changing the temperature setting on the control panel. Ensure that the blend door moves freely without any obstructions or restrictions. If the blend door is difficult to move or stuck in one position, there may be an issue with the blend door itself or its linkage.

Check HVAC control module: If the blend door moves smoothly and the actuator is functioning correctly, there could be an issue with the HVAC control module. The control module is responsible for sending the signals to the actuator to control the temperature blend door. It may be necessary to have the control module tested or replaced if it is determined to be the source of the problem.