Blend door

HOPKINSONC

MEMBER
2004 BUICK RANIER
4.2L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

Replaced the battery, vehicle was without a battery for three days. Installed new battery. Started car and one of the blend doors clicks for about sixty seconds and then quits. Cannot get the controls to redirect the air flow out of the dash vents. It happens everytime I start the car. Did not have the problem before the battery replacement.

Sunday, July 1st, 2018 AT 2:13 PM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com.

I am not sure why it happened after the battery was replaced, but can tell you the actuators have plastic gears in them which are pron to strip. The result is the clicking and lack of control.

Your problem seem to be related to the mode door actuator and not blend air door. Can you tell me if the issues involves not being able to change the air temperature? Additionally, I need to know if the unit is automatic or manual.

Let me know.

Take care,
Joe

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Sunday, July 1st, 2018 AT 7:44 PM

HOPKINSONC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It is automatic and I can still change temperatures and redirect the air to defrost and floor or both. Since I did not have any issues before the battery was changed I thought it may have had something to do with calibration or a reset because of being without a battery for three days. It sounds like the door (flapper) is stuck when it clicks. It only does this when you first start the truck though whether the A/C is on or not. It lasts exactly sixty seconds. After that, it does not click again. I can try and re-direct the air, ie; defrost and it works okay, or floor works okay, or combination of both (50/50 distribution) works okay, but it will not re-direct to the vents. During all of the re-directing it does not click at all. The only time it does click is if I shut the truck off and restart it it will click again for exactly sixty seconds.

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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 10:21 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi again.

Since this is the automatic system, there is a chance the HVAC actuators need to re-calibrate. What I need you to try is this. Remove fuse 36 from the fuse block under hood. It should indicate its location on the backside of the cover. Allow it to be removed for at least two minutes. Next, reinstall the fuse and allow the system to re-calibrate. Do not make any Adjustments when the system is doing this. Allow at least another two minutes for it to complete the reset. After two minutes, start the vehicle and see if it worked.

I attached a picture of the fuse block for your review.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,
Joe

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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 5:35 PM

HOPKINSONC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

After doing a lot of research online before asking you guys I did try this multiple times because it does seem to be the solution for most people. It does not fix it. I have also tried unplugging the battery for a bit. Any other suggestions?

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Monday, July 9th, 2018 AT 11:36 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

It still sounds like the blend door actuator is out even though it moves. Please find the unit that is making the noise and change out the actuator. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for and the location of the actuators:

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

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

Cheers, Ken

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