Blend door actuator location

TOM WALLACE

MEMBER
1990 BUICK REGAL
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
45,000 MILES

I have replaced the thermostat, the hoses going in and out of heater core are warm, new water pump. No heat. Blower working fine. When sliding the temperature control from cold to hot, I hear no movement (blend door) and I suspect the actuator is faulty. I cannot locate it to replace it! Please help!

8 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny
I've attached a picture of its location on the hvac box under the dash and circled it in red. Here is a tutorial showing you what is involved in its replacement.

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

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

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Thursday, December 13th, 2018 AT 4:01 PM

TOM WALLACE

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. I have completely (well nearly) disassembled the lower portion of the dash and removed the glove box inter shell and I see nothing remotely looking like this small black door actuator. I believe the pictures noted in the tutorial are from a much newer car. I have a 1990 buick.

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Thursday, December 13th, 2018 AT 4:53 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again
This diagram/picture is from a 1990 Buick "W" body reference. I magnified the picture so I will now just attach the entire picture. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

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Thursday, December 13th, 2018 AT 5:48 PM

TOM WALLACE

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5 POSTS

Any chance for a larger picture? I cannot enlarge or perhaps a link to it? Thanks!

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Friday, December 14th, 2018 AT 11:29 AM

TOM WALLACE

MEMBER
5 POSTS

This was on a thread for a 1991 Buick with same issue. I cannot locate based on schematic what looks like a door actuator (black and rectangular that an arm attaches too). However I see a black round device with a light blue wire as discussed in this thread:

You actually don't have a blend motor you have what is called an air temp valve motor which power is sent through the light blue wire to it. That leads to the blower motor switch which powers both of the blower and temperature valve. It is controlled by the ECM so you either have a bad motor or connection and or maybe even the ECM. I'd have a pro search it out for you there also is a resistor in the wire that the air temperature motor connects to probably for reduced voltage. I'm sending along on how to check air temperature motor.