HVAC recirculation door actuator clicking two months after replacement?

Tiny
BIG DUBBS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 SATURN SL2
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
Hello,

Does the vehicle listed above have a calibration process to perform after replacing the recirculation door actuator?

The controls are all manual, slides for both temperature and vent outputs. On/off buttons for AC and for inside/outside air.
Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 8:46 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
No calibration required. Clicking is usually a damaged gear in the actuator. I can say that the quality of aftermarket actuators is abysmal. The OE part 89018370 is still out there.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
BIG DUBBS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks, I will try to find one. I have the old original OEM part. Maybe I could swap the gears. Or maybe lube the crap out of the old one. I bought the car in May and the old one worked on test drive. No clicking but stopped working so I put in this aftermarket Murray from O'Rielys with lifetime warranty. Getting free replacement but it is not easy to change.

Do you recommend swapping gears from OE to aftermarket and/or lubing the crap out of gears?

Thanks, Big Dubbs. (Daryl)
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Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
If they are like other companies, they have different sizes in them.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
BIG DUBBS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks!
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Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
You're welcome.
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Friday, July 11th, 2025 AT 1:03 AM

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