Blend door actuator location?

Tiny
SHADRONI
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I have 2000 dodge grand caravan. The heater doesn't blow hot air. The blower motor settings work fine. The control settings from floor to defrost work fine but when car is stopped the air will get warmer but when changing to the defrost setting the air becomes cold and when driving all settings become cold. The temp control on dash doesn't show any change in air temp. It sure would be nice to find the problem before it get to cold. I hope you can help me. Thanks
Thursday, October 1st, 2009 AT 7:13 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a temperature blend door actuator that has failed. Here is a guide to help walk you through the steps of changing it out with the location for your car below.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, October 1st, 2009 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check coolant level, Is the car reaching operating temp if not check thermostat and replace if needed.

Check this guide out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Please run down this guide and report back.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, October 1st, 2009 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
SHADRONI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had checked all the hoses they were hot but can't seem to find the blend door actuator do you have more diagrams? I also recalibrated the hvac control module it seemed to go through all the setting fine. I also have looked under the dash while it was operating to see the movement but didn't see any when it changed to heat setting.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_529.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic2_259.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
DANIO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem and had to get a new actuator for $76.00 all fixed I love this site.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, January 17th, 2019 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
JOEBAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 260,000 MILES
The air blows cold (very little warm air) when car is at normal operating temperature. It seems the colder it is outside the cooler the air is coming from vents. When it is 70 degrees outside it might blow 110 degrees but when it is 45 degrees it blows 77 degree air. The temperature control lever does work somewhat, meaning if I move it from hot to cold the air does blow cooler. The coolant is full, the thermostat does work, both hoses to and from the heater core are hot, one more so than the other. Which leads me to think (rightly or wrongly) it is the blend door not operating properly. I have pulled most of the dash apart and cannot find the actuator. I guess I do not know what I am looking for, can you help? I do not have access to a component locator. Thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Hey Joebak,

Here is a guide that shows the steps and diagrams below to show you how on your car.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Turn ignition off. Remove left side lower column cover. Remove ABS control module. Remove mode door actuator connector. Remove mode door actuator. To install, reverse removal procedure. Perform calibration/diagnostics procedure.

The HVAC control module stores trouble codes that a proper reader can retrieve. The system is electronic and the blend door actuator has a specific procedure to calibrate it. The actuator is under drivers side.

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the silencer panel from under the driver s side of the instrument panel.
3. Remove the ABS control module.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the blend door actuator being serviced.
5. Remove the actuator mounting screws and the actuator.

After it's fixed you might want to recalibrate it. Or you can try recalibrating to see if it begins working first.

CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY TO INITIATE TESTS:

Set Blower motor "on high".
Set Mode position to panel.
Open all A/C outlets.
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped).
Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for five Seconds (Until all LED's light).

RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for five Seconds.
Calibration Test is running when rear wiper and intermittent are alternately. flashing. Cool down test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+12
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JP1985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I am having trouble with my van. After looking through all the forums and advice on this site I think it is the blend door actuator. How do I replace it?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try pulling fuse inside car first for sixty seconds with key on then reinstall that may make it work. Otherwise see pictures.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JP1985
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Pictures helped thanks. The gears inside the actuator were ground down.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Thanks for using 2CarPros we are to help, tell a friend.

Best, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRUDOLPH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
When a blend door actuator is purchased what position is the mechanical drive set for hot or cold?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Just install it then you pull the fuse so it will reset to correct position needs to be done with key on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRUDOLPH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I cannot mount the actuator on the three mounting posts and have it align with the driver door blender drive gear( it has a square drive receptacle to accept the square drive on the actuator). It appears to be about twenty degrees off. Should I manually move the door blender position to match the actuator drive? This is going to be really tricky getting both hands in the limited space. Can I turn the actuator drive by the driver control slide lever with ignition on to line up the actuator with the blend door gear and three mounting posts?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try to move door with hand or square drive socket if you have one 1/4" drive would be best if you force the actuator it may break or try turning key on with electrical hooked up to actuator and pull fuse it may go to correct position like that.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRUDOLPH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is the fuse in the main fuse box in the engine compartment?
If so what is the designation and size?
Thanks for all of your help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Fuse 3 in junction block.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:17 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Hey Joebak,

Here is a guide that shows the steps and diagrams below to show you how on your car.

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

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Turn ignition off. Remove left side lower column cover. Remove ABS control module. Remove mode door actuator connector. Remove mode door actuator. To install, reverse removal procedure. Perform calibration/diagnostics procedure.

The HVAC control module stores trouble codes that a proper reader can retrieve. The system is electronic and the blend door actuator has a specific procedure to calibrate it. The actuator is under drivers side.

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the silencer panel from under the driver s side of the instrument panel.
3. Remove the ABS control module.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the blend door actuator being serviced.
5. Remove the actuator mounting screws and the actuator.

After it's fixed you might want to recalibrate it. Or you can try recalibrating to see if it begins working first.

CALIBRATION/DIAGNOSTICS TEST ENTRY TO INITIATE TESTS:

Set Blower motor "on high".
Set Mode position to panel.
Open all A/C outlets.
Set Temperature to Cold (Both slide pots if equipped).
Depress WASH and REAR WIPER button simultaneously for five Seconds (Until all LED's light).

RESULTS:
All LED's will turn on for five Seconds.
Calibration Test is running when rear wiper and intermittent are alternately. flashing. Cool down test is running if A/C and RECIRC are alternately flashing.
Acceptable results is REAR WIPER LED is the only LED flashing. Push Rear Wiper to exit.

Check out the diagrams (Below) Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:37 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links