Clicking nightmare HVAC systems?

TOBYJAXON

MEMBER
2013 CHRYSLER 200
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
85,500 MILES

This issue was addressed in the article explaining why clicking is a common problem with HVAC systems in many cars.
I researched this topic and decided this is the problem with my car and ordered the parts.
As I was attempting to locate the actuators I found the first one on the passenger side and behind the glove compartment and removed it. While I was trying to find a way to install a replacement I heard the clicking and located the actuator creating the noise but it was not the one I had removed but a different one on the drivers side and up behind the steering column. Very difficult to get to but definitely the noise maker. I was finally able to remove it and open it expecting to find a broken part but didn’t really see a problem inside.
Instead of replacing it with a new one I reinstalled the original but was only able to get one of the two screws in to hold it in place.
Since my attempts to resolve the problem I now can’t get any heat into the car but a/c is working and the clicking continues usually when the cold air is starting.
What now?

Friday, February 27th, 2026 AT 5:01 PM

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,688 POSTS

You need to replace the broken actuator that you reinstalled, and with both screws to keep it from flexing and breaking other parts. What normally fails is that one of the gears cracks or the pivots they are on flex and the clicking is the gear teeth skipping because of that.. Also, if you didn't order OEM actuators you can expect them to fail in short order as well. The aftermarket parts are generally much worse failure wise, I have seen them fail in under a week. From your description it sounds like the first one you replaced was the recirculate door actuator, it selects interior or exterior air and is on the end of the HVAC housing behind the glove box, it could have been the mode door as well as it is accessed through the glove box but is more toward the center of the dash it selects which location the air comes out, floor, dash or defrost. The one up behind the column is the blend door, it determines the air temperature and if it's damaged as it is, the system will simply ignore it after it tries to calibrate it. Be sure the actuator sets in the splines correctly as well. Then once you have it installed you use a scan tool to initiate the calibration procedure.

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