Blend door actuator replacement

Tiny
SUSIECAMARO
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 63,000 MILES
I know how to find and replace but I was told you need to also remove fuses or disconnect battery first and then do something after the actuator is installed to re calibrate them, but I cannot find this information anywhere. Thanks
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 6:29 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There are some that require calibration but as long as you install the actuator in the cold position. Basically set your temp to cold before you do it and then remove and replace the actuator. When installing it just make sure the actual door position lines up with the actuator. There should be a notch for alignment but just make sure the door is in the door position is in that position. If you are unsure, start the engine and turn the system on and manually move the door so it is blowing cold to match the setting. Just make sure it is full cold so you can move the door to the full stop. Then the actuator should be lined up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 8:07 AM
Tiny
JOE BERTOCCHI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 57,500 MILES
Air conditioning works fine, but when I turn the ignition off sound keeps going for approximately one to two minutes. It only happens when I use the air conditioning. It is a tapping sound. What will happen if I do not have it fixed? Will the air finally start working? Is it worth fixing?
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

It sounds like a blend door or one of the actuator motors. When they fail they give a constant clicking noise form the actuator.

Do you not have air conditioning?

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NLWWEBSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 90,000 MILES
I started with two blend door actuators clicking under the dash. I replaced both of those and they continued to click. I noticed that on at least one actuator it turns about four rotations before stopping. It only needs to turn a quarter turn, then stop. So I assume I have a different problem. I also now have a third actuator clicking as well.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,958 POSTS
I would suspect the HVAC control head itself. Especially with two actuators failing the way you describe. The controller is not responding to the signal being sent from the actuators and keeps trying to move them after the doors and linkage has reached the end of its travel.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SOCCERMOMJANET
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
The left side of my heater doesn't blow hot air but the right side does. The AC blows on both sides.
I have a cliking noise that runs for about 30 seconds after the car is shut off. I believe it might be the Air Door Actuator on the drivers side.

If so how do you replace it and where is it located at?
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Seems like the left side air temperature actuator has failed. To replace it you will need to remove the left knee bolster (trim) to access the actuator. It is held on by 2 screws and the electrical connector.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
396JUICER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 60,000 MILES
We own two of these cars. Both have experienced blend door actuator failures. I have changed two in mine and two in my wifes car. I am familiar with the fact that you must remove the "display" fuse before the change out and replace it when done, turn key to run and wait for the actuators to calibrate. You can hear them go through their cycles while calibrating. The PROBLEM: My wife's Impala had TWO actuators go out at the same time. The gear boxes are stripped. Something did not stop them when it should have. We have dual climate controls in both cars. The failed units are both on the passenger side. The recirc door and right side temp control are the ones affected. I replaced both and re-installed the fuse, turned the key to run and nothing happened. This time I did not hear the actuators go through the calibration. So I started the car and while watching the doors put them through their motions many times. No problems. Two days later the recirc door actuator is stripped again. The calibration process must go through a processor of some kind to count pulses or steps on the actuator servos and read resistance to know when to stop and position these controls. Could this be a body control module problem? One mechanic said it could just be the climate control module on the dashboard itself. But I don't think there is any computer processing ability on these controls. Just rotary switches and dials, etc. I have read that the BCM's do many functions and must be changed and programmed by the dealer. This is very expensive. Could this be a Body Control Module issue to have two actuators go at the same time?
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Nope cimate control does have a module I always have told peole to pull the hvac fuse not display. But for yours to do this i'd check the door for binding first o it still may be the module, it may be seeing the actuator in the wrong position and moves it to far until the gear strips.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
396JUICER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you very much! The fuse I pull is only labeled "Display". It powers the HVAC module along with other items. So I guess the dashboard control 'module' does have some 'processing' capabilities for calibration along with operation. And the cost of this module even at a discount suggests that this 'module' must be more than just switches. I will change out the hvac control module on the dashboard face and hope for the best.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,600 MILES
When air control is selected to blow heated air to floor, most of the air blows from dash vents and vise versa.
When defrost is selected, most of the air (appx. 85%) blows from dash vents and very little air volume blows on windshield. I am forced to adjust selector to obtain quasi-acceptable defrost results. A real safety issue!
Additionally, there is a several (5-7) second delay when changing between air control selections. Previously, it was almost instantaneous.
What to check? Blend door actuator? Are there more than one? Electric or vacuum? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
An actuator for blend door and mode, there could be a couple. First try puling hvac fuse for 60 seconds with key on then reinstalling. That may reset them and they will work or you'll have to see if the actuator is getting power or not. See pic it's on passenger side
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Reinstall HVAC fuse with key "on" or "off"? Thanks.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I assumed you would leave the key on when you did it as you would start the car after puling fuse.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Still somewhat confused. Is this the correct procedure;
1. Start car
2. Pull HVAC fuse.
3. Wait 60 seconds, leave car running
4. Reinstall fuse
5. Test controls to determine if reset occurred.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes just like you have posted. Then if it still doesn't go to floor then have it scanned as the control head may not be sending to it.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
I cannot find a fuse labeled: "HVAC" in the schematic diagram of the fuse box.
Is it the Blower Motor Control Processor? BATT 4 Fuse 30A?
Or is it labeled something else?
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's the air bag/display fuse under hood fuse box.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN HO10
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
WOW! It worked! Thank you so much!

In the pic you provided, is that view passenger side under dash looking directly through the glove compartment void and towards the middle of dash?

Although the process worked which resulted in re-calibration and now, when air control is set at floor, the fan blows on floor instead of thru the dash as well. YEA!

However there is still a noticeable pause, about 5 seconds when air control is changed from one setting to another. When the car was newer, I didn't notice this delay.

Could it be that the actuator (in the pic) is getting weak or is that "normal"?

Your thoughts?
Thanks, again
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Heck battery for condition including load test auto parts do for free and if blet and tensioner have more than 60k on them replace them as that is recommended replacement. However it may not cure the delay problem as it does have to move doors etc. Try cleaning battery terminals and see if that makes a difference as well. Also you may have to reset security if battery disconnected.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:38 AM (Merged)

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