Blend Door Actuator?

Hello,

This is common when the mode blend door actuator goes out. Here is a guide to help walk you through the repairs with diagrams below to show you how on your car:

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

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

I received my new actuator and it is identical to the one I removed for my vehicle that is the EXT model. The problem I am having is the tab/shaft that is connected to the vent door does not line up with the position on the new actuator. Even when I manually turn the shaft it does not come close to the position I need it to be in to slide the actuator on.

I did some experimenting with my old actuator and removed the cover. I was then able to lift up the gear and turn it to the position I would need it in. Pushed the gear back into place and replaced the cover. So my question is can I do this with my new actuator with out causing any damage? My only concern is on one side of the gear are some metal contacts and Im not sure exactly how the actuator works, I know it opens/closes the vent/temp door but don't know where these metal contacts come in to play.

when an actuator is replaced you need to pull the fuse for that circuit in order for the actuator to reset. Not pull covers off to reset by hand. you can try what you are doing but not sure it will work.

I understand that. Maybe I was not clear in describing the problem or asking my question. I know it has to be re-calibrated after I get the part on. The problem is, the shaft has a tab and can only fit in the actuator if the tab lines up with the recessed part on the actuator. I can turn the shaft a little but its not enough to fit. I just want to get my car back together, not wait longer to return and reorder the same part, if I can get this one on. This was a brand new part so who is to say the next one is going to be in the position it needs to be in? Then I am waiting even longer.

the shaft may be stuck so try moving in other direction see if that helps at all then see if it will move to where you need it.

Hello,

Is the actuator and OEM replacement? I have seen where aftermarket units have the wrong gear position.

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

Yes, it is a replacement. And I did move the shaft back and forth, it moves freely and fully opens and closes the vent door but it is not enough to line up with gear on the new actuator. Since this part fits so many different vehicles I would think the gear could be moved if need be since it can only go on one way. Think I'm going to take a chance, open it up and move the gear. I haven't found any solutions except for returning it and ordering another.

ok may as well

How do you get to/replace the driver side temperature actuator? The A/C went out in all vents so I replaced the resistor and harness to the blower motor as they had burnt through the connectors. This fixed the A/C mostly. Although now the issue is the driver side vents will not cool down but the passenger and rear does become cold. Also, there is a lot less air flow from the drivers side vents. Finding the actuator there is this metal plate in front of it with bolts inside and outside of the plate. Is this the right actuator to fix both problems and how do I remove/get around this plate?

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

Good morning.

I attached a picture of the actuator and its location. the unfortunate problem is the dash has to be removed to gain access to the motor.

Roy

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Remove the I/P carrier.


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2. Remove the left side air temperature actuator (1) retaining screws.
3. Disconnect the left side air temperature actuator electrical connector.
4. Remove the left side air temperature actuator.

dash removal procedures

emoval Procedure

1. Remove the center floor console.
2. Remove the instrument panel (IP).
3. Remove the steering column with the steering wheel attached.
4. Remove the floor console bracket.


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5. Remove the splice pack from the floor panel located on the right side of the HVAC center support bracket (5).
6. Remove the HVAC center support bracket (5) from the HVAC module (2).


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7. Remove the side window defogger duct.


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8. Remove the instrument panel cluster (IPC) wire harness attachments (1) from the steering column support bracket and IP carrier.
9. Remove the speaker wire harness attachments from the steering column support bracket and IP carrier.


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10. Remove the IP wiring harness retaining screws (1) from the IP support brackets, located near the steering column support bracket.


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11. Remove the 2 bolts (1) located at the top of the steering column support bracket.


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12. Remove the 2 bolts (1) located underneath the steering column support bracket.


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13. Detach and remove the SIR harness from the IP carrier.
14. Disconnect the radio antenna cable located near the blower motor.
15. Detach and remove the IP wire harness from the right side of the IP carrier.
16. Remove the radio harness form the IP carrier.
17. Remove the temperature sensors from the ventilation ducts.
18. Remove the transfer case control module from the steering column support bracket.


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19. Remove the upper and lower bolts retaining the IP carrier to the right cowl side carrier bracket.
20. Remove the center bolt (1) that retains the IP carrier to the right cowl side carrier bracket.


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21. Remove the upper and lower bolts retaining the steering column support bracket to the left cowl side carrier bracket.
22. Remove the center bolt (1) that retains the steering column support bracket to the left cowl side carrier bracket.


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23. Remove the 6 nuts that retain the HVAC module to the IP carrier.
24. Remove the IP carrier and steering column support bracket assembly from the vehicle and place on a clean prepared surface.

Update- It worked! I opened the case, pulled out the gear then placed the "empty" half of case over the shaft, lining it up with the 3 screw holes. Next I put the gear on the shaft and finally I put the other half of the case w/motor and remaining gears in place making sure the post inside that held the gears in place lined up with the "empty" half and pushed it together making sure all the outside tabs locked back into place. Put the 3 screws in, hooked up the connector and recalibrated the system. To my surprise everything now works as it should. I've let it run with both heat/ac (obviously not at the same time!) with different fan speeds and positions without any problems!

Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken

My A/C blows cold through my driver side vents including the one in the dash. But my passenger side vents are blowing hot air. Could the blend door actuator be going out on the passenger side? And if so where is the location of the actuator on the passenger side?

Welcome to 2CarPros.

If one side is working properly and the other isn't, chances are it is the actuator. Here are the directions for replacing the right side actuator. It is located under the dash and behind the glove box.

The attached pics correlate with the directions. I highlighted the actuator to help locate it.

Also, here is a link that shows in general how it is done. You may find it helpful.


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

2004 Chevy Truck TrailBlazer 2WD L6-4.2L VIN S
Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Right
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Service and Repair Procedures HVAC System - Automatic Air Temperature Actuator Replacement - Right
AIR TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT - RIGHT
AIR TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT - RIGHT

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Remove the I/P carrier.


pic 1

2. Remove the air temperature actuator-right retaining screws.
3. Disconnect the air temperature actuator-right electrical connector.
4. Remove the air temperature actuator-right.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE


pic 2

1. Install the air temperature actuator-right.
2. Tighten the air temperature actuator-right retaining screws.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
See: Heating and Air Conditioning > Vehicle Damage Warnings > Fastener Notice

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 1.9 N.m (17 lb ft).

3. Install the air temperature actuator-right electrical connector.
4. Install the I/P carrier.
5. Recalibrate the air temperature actuator on vehicles equipped with automatic climate control (C68), See: Vehicle > Programming and Relearning > Re-Calibrating Actuators

_________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Air only blows from defrost and floor. Which actuator controls this?

This is called the mode door actuator. I included the process on how to change this and how to calibrate it. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks

I figured out my air actuator clicks now when I put the defrost on the foot only and the foot and defrost and even when I turn it off. Completely. But If I keep it on the front blowers or the front and foot blowers there’s no clicking sound. I can also change the temperature yet so I don’t think it’s the blend door actuator. Any idea on where the correct actuator would be to replace?

If this is making the noise when defrost is on then it is most likely the defrost actuator. However, if there are settings that this happens on that defrost is not on then it is most likely the mode door actuator.

I am assuming you have a manual system based on how you were describing the issue. If you have an auto system just let me know and i can send you that info as well.

If it were me, I would just go ahead and put any actuator that you see when going in there. Just make sure you are using a good quality because I have put in many that were cheaper and took them out the next day because they were clicking.

Thanks.

Only my defrosters and the floor vents push air. how do i know which actuator is the issue and are all the actuators the same?

Got it.

Below is the procedure and a picture is attached of the mode door actuator for air through the vents.

Roy

1. Remove the left side sound insulator screws.
2. Remove the left hand floor duct. Refer to Floor Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side See: Air Duct > Procedures.


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3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the mode actuator.
4. Remove the screws from the mode actuator (1).
5. Remove the mode actuator.

I need the location of the temperature blend door actuator on passenger side dual zone climate (electric). All cold in vents floor defrost. vent on dash and rear when heat on 90 on passerger side. Drivers side is all hot like it should be. Please help it is winter. Thanks, Rick

Hello,

Here is a guide that will show you how to change the actuator step buy step and the location of each blend door actuator with diagrams below to show you on your car.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

I know where actuator is, but how do I get it out with the frame bar blocking it?
Really need to turn it to heat with winter approaching.

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. That way we can tell you what needs to be done.

2004 trailblazer. Passenger side actuator not easily accessible with the frame bar in the way. Need to get heat going. Only blows cold air.

That is rough, will the brase unbolt? This is how the book says to do the job but they don't mention the brace it must come out of there. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

I've determined that the re-circulation actuator is faulty as with the glove box and lower dash cover panels removed you can look through and watch the "door" slowly fall open then the actuator struggle to close it once more before it gives way again. I will be ordering/replacing that actuator soon. My pickle here is; I got little to no flow out of my driver's side floor vents and the rear seat vents. It's an LS model with just the simple mode selector switch for the rear. When I set it to floor I have excellent flow on the front passenger floor only, vent comes out all front vents just fine but nothing comes out of rear vents or floor aside from a very weak flow. Also have air lightly leaking from front defrost. Should I replace another actuator in conjunction with the re-circulation one? Would the mode/blend actuator or defrost actuator cause the lack of airflow to driver's floor and rear of vehicle?

Hello, I'm Danny.

Yes, it sounds like you may be having an issue with the mode actuator. Before I attach repair guides is your HVAC system manual or an automatic controlled system? Let me know and we'll go from there.Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Manual system.

Hello again.

Here is a quick tutorial for you to view on blend door actuator replacement:

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

I've attached picture steps below of both the blend door and re-circulation actuators for your vehicle below.Let me know if you have any further questions on this issue.Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Wow, this is an incredible site! Thank you so much for your very timely response and recommendation. It was my suspicion but didn't know if maybe the defrost and/or driver's temperature actuator was playing a factor. I'll check it all out once I'm in there to replace them. May just have junk in it but those actuators seem to have quite the reputation, haha. Hey, aside from that, do you happen to know what size filter I need to put a cabin air filter in? I've read they didn't come equipped with them until later in the production but there's a place to install them. I pulled that cover today and there were pine needles galore, so I'd like a little more at work there other than that plastic mesh. Can't look up a filter for it on auto parts stores, that I've found anyway. Heard you can use the one for a 2000 Silverado or something like that, is it possible? Or is there a filter that's actually made for it and I'm just too dumb to find it? Haha
Thanks again.

Hello again.

Yes, those actuators are trouble some and have problems. Sorry, but it doesn't look like your truck didn't come with a cabin air filter.I'll find out more about it tomorrow when places are open.I think they didn't start having cabin air filters until like 2004 model year Tahoe's, trucks etc. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-