HVAC actuators clicking

Tiny
JOEY TOPES
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 FORD F-150
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above Lariat with dual zone climate control. I had the clicking behind the dash a couple years ago and was able to replace the actuator behind the dash/glovebox successfully. A year or so later I did the mode actuator near the gas pedal. A month or so back the passenger side was blowing only cold air. I did some research and in the end I think went after the wrong actuator. I replaced the one on the passenger floorboard. This did not fix the problem, most likely because as I understand now the one I previously replaced, behind dash/glove box is the one I needed to be replaced. So I replace that one and it fixed the problem, only once I restarted the truck. The actuator on the passenger floor starts clicking. Ran through the fuse reset process. Did not fix it. I popped the actuator out enough to cycle through temperatures and allow it to re-seat itself. Worked. Cycled up and down all the way both sides. Next day it’s started clicking again! Guy from Ford is telling me I likely have something that fell in the vents and is blocking the door when it runs through the full cycle upon startup. It never did this until I replaced the actuator behind the dash. Any advice would be appreciated at this point.
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 4:57 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
Hi,

Which one is now making noise? I attached a pic below. Is this the one you replaced? Is it making noise again since the other one was replaced?

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
JOEY TOPES
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As far as I knew there were 3 actuators. One by the gas pedal. One on the passenger floorboard under the center console. And one behind the dash to the right of the navigation screen display and behind the left side of the glove box. The pic you sent looks like it shows one on the right side of the glove box.

The one still clicking is the one by the passenger floorboard (left side) under the center console. I just replaced it, but it didn’t start clicking until I then next replaced the one behind the dash left side of glovebox because the one that is now clicking didn’t fix my initial problem.
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
JOEY TOPES
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Looking at your drawing again, I see that it says mode door actuator. I believe this is the one that is up near the gas pedal.

I have replaced that one in the past, but no issue with it during this fix.

Thanks
Joe
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
Hi,

You are correct, that is the mode actuator. Tell me, is the present issue related to temperature control, air flow direction, or fresh/recirculated air issues?

Joe
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
JOEY TOPES
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Everything seems to be functioning. The problem is that the actuator near the passenger floor board under the center console clicks rapidly when I start the truck. I let it run this morning and it stopped after a minute or two. It is a newly replaced actuator.

Joe
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
JOEY TOPES
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Just went out to try it again. Ran it for 10-15 minutes. Clicking would not stop even when cycling through temperatures and both sides seem to be stuck on hot now.

Joe
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 7:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

What I suggest is this: Often times the plastic gears in the actuators break and cause the clicking as you described. However, since you already replaced it, there is a good chance the door is stuck.

Remove the actuator and then manually, try to move the door to see if it is stuck or damaged.

Also, believe it or not, there could be diagnostic trouble codes stored indicating what is causing the issue. To check for codes would require a scan tool that can read codes other than just for the powertrain. What needs to be done is the can-bus system needs to be scanned. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, the modules and computers in the vehicle are tied together via a few wires.

Here is a video showing how that is done:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

I don't know if that is something you could have done, but it may be very helpful.

Let me know. Also, let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 8:07 PM

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