Blend door actuator?

Tiny
MARCUS RIGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Car is blowing hot air on driver's side and cold air on passenger. I see the driver's side actuator and when changing the thermostat it will move. This lets me know that there is power to the actuator, correct? I do not hear clicking. Why is the actuator moving but continued hot air be coming out? What else could be causing this issue?
Friday, August 22nd, 2025 AT 12:25 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It might not be changing fully, the best thing to do is remove the actuator and turn the system on full cold slow fan speed and work the blend door pivot by hand fully from stop to stop to see if the air gets cold, if no the blend door inside the HVAC plenum has broken loose or there is something holding it open like an ink pen. Coins or tooth pick etc. Here is the location of the driver's side actuator so we can be on the same page.

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Friday, August 22nd, 2025 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
MARCUS RIGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Are you referring to the blue circle. I moved it up (air was warm) and moved it down (air was cold). It moved rather freely with no resistance.
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Friday, August 22nd, 2025 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
That is a good sign, this means the blend door is mechanically okay. So I would replace the actuator because that can go bad and not know the position they are in even though the HVAC controller is sending the correct signal. If you want to be sure the HVAC controller is okay you should do a CAN scan. This video will show you how.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
MARCUS RIGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
With the door open the temp is warmer than the right vents. Does this point to freon being low?
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Sunday, August 24th, 2025 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
No, if one side is cold so shall be the other. Can you hear the door contact the HVAC housing in both directions? I think you may have an obstruction in the vent system.
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Sunday, August 24th, 2025 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
MARCUS RIGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I haven’t bought a new actuator yet but manipulating the food by hand (rolling it down) so the it is open. What will I need to do to see if there is an obstruction?
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Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 6:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
You need to listen for the blend door to contact the HVAC housing in both directions, please go over this guide to see what I am talking about.

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

It shows the blend door removed and checking the door movement.
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Monday, August 25th, 2025 AT 9:31 AM

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