Amazing Techniques to Easily Identify Blend door actuator symptoms

There was an instance that I can’t open my car door from the inside and I was so frustrated about the matter. So, I made sure to look for the reasons behind such scenario. And maybe, blend door actuator has something to do with it. I have realized that it’s quite challenging to find reliable and in-depth information regarding blend door actuator symptoms. Having gone through some climate control issues with my 2005 Ford Explorer that features the 4.0l engine, I have decided to come up with an all-rounded article to help you diagnose if you have a faulty blend door actuator.

Once you have established that it has gone bad, you can check out Amazon to purchase an OEM replacement actuator. You will require a tool set that comes with a 5.5 mm socket for Cadillac, Lincoln, GMC, Ford and Chevy cars.

More: Ford Mustang Insurance Cost – Overview.

What you will grasp from this article:

• What Causes a bad blend door actuator
• How a blend door actuator works
• How to diagnose if you have a bad blend door actuator
• The 10 seconds repair technique

What Causes a bad blend door actuator?

A blend door actuator is linked to an air control door pivot found on the last drive of the unit; a plastic gear set is frequently rotated from one side to another by the electric motor.An actuator can become faulty if the plastic gear set turns out to be fragile and it breaks. This commonly causes problems in most car’s air conditioner and heater systems. This issue is characterized by a clicking or ticking noise from the dash while the unit is still working, before finally stopping.It can also go bad if the electric motor burns out; if you move the vent mode or temperature controls, nothing changes because the unit has become non-responsive.

An air blend door actuator is made of a plastic gear set, a small electric motor, and a plastic housing. The climate control computer receives feedback information via a door position sensor in the unit.The actuator is responsible for moving the air direction and temperature doors inside the heater plenum; their job is to manage mode settings like re-circulation modes, mid vent, defrost and fresh air, floor as well as temperature. Also, they control the cold and hot settings for left and right passenger sections.Using the dual climate control systems, the passenger or driver can choose the temperature. To change air direction modes, the actuator receives an electrical command from the vehicle’s climate control computer.Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, many systems have three to four of these units which they use to control mode operation. The units are found in several areas around the HVAC plenum.

How to diagnose if you have a bad blend door actuator

According to exploreforum.com, you can arrest this problem by looking out for Blend door actuator symptoms. One of the symptoms is a noisy, repetitive sound at the back of the glovebox center-dash console section where the HVAC knobs are based. This noise typically happens when you change the settings in your A/C or when you start the car, and it sounds like a knock on your door.The noise is usually caused by movement of the knob towards the heat side of the control, with the vents not providing heat, cold air comes out.You can also turn on your A/C inside an underground parking lot; adjust the temp to the hottest position. This simple diagnosis can help you determine if your blend door actuator is faulty. The blend door is the problem if the air is cooler than in vent position.The problem is in the cooling system if you have to turn the temp knob at a cold position to feel the A/C. It is possible that the coolant circulation is being reduced by rust deposits in the heater core. This test can be conducted on the street, but be warned, and you will definitely freeze some more.

To be confident that the blend door unit is the problem, then you will have to get your hands dirty. Remove the heater hose off of the heater core from under the hood. Place the heater hose on the engine outlet after taking the heater return hose off of the engine. What this means is that the hot coolant is creating a circle and not going thru the heater core. Finish the process by driving off the car.  Find amazing online car lease deals using the Rodo mobile app or visiting Rodo.com and you can Buy Here Pay Here Atlanta Listings.

The 10 seconds repair technique

If this problem catches you unawares, you can always get some temporary heat into your car by executing a blend door repair that will only take you 10 seconds. How do you do it? Well, flip down the blend door hinge towards the heat side by reaching in behind the dash control knob area. However, remember that this is not a permanent solution; you will have to repeat the process in the morning if the car remains parked over night. You can learn how to replace the blend door actuator of a 1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado in this video.

Wrapping it up

I hope you found the information I have provided above helpful. Remember, you don’t have to be an ASE certified mechanic to determine blend door actuator symptoms in your car. Just like in my case, all you need is a willingness to get your hands dirty and the right information to this issue with ease. Not only will you gain a new skill but you will also save on what you would have spent on a mechanic who is likely to charge an exorbitant price.So did you enjoy reading the article? If you did, kindly share it with other interested people.

Biography: Hi there! I’m Jordan, chief editor of Crushtheroad.com and I’m a self-confessed automative fanatic and a professional review. Cars or vehicles has always been a passion of mine and will always be my favorite pastime. Now that I am married and has one adorable son, I have the time to write and share my personal experiences with other automative enthusiasts like me. Welcome to my fantastic blog!