Replaced Blend Door Actuator Still Not Work! Loose wire connection at the wiring harness, bad HVAC control module, and calibrating the HVAC actuator improperly are the culprits behind this issue.
Addressing and solving those issues will help you get the functional state of the blend door actuator again. Below, we will describe how you can solve those problems. So, keep scrolling till the end.
Table of Contents
Replaced Blend Door Actuator Still Not Work [3 Easy Fixes]
Not sure why the blend door actuator is not working though you replace it with a new one? Then, this chapter will disclose everything behind this problem.
1. Loose Connections At The Wiring Harness
You replaced it but the new blend door actuator is not working! If the wires come loose at the wiring harness at the back of the module for actuators, replacing the actuator alone will not get any luck. Despite changing the actuator, the blend door actuator will not get the power it needs for operating.
Solution:
Start with inspecting the blend door actuator for a loose wire connection. We recommend you just start wiggling the wires and you can defect the wire coming loose. It would be best if you check the voltage of the wire for the actuator. You can follow the below steps to test the wiring to the actuator.
- Find the mode door motor. You can get it above the gas pedal.
- Take a multimeter to test the voltage at the mode door motor.
- Turn the ignition on and measure volts between the brown to the black wires. The voltage at the wiring should be 12.
- Now, test voltage at the white wire and make sure you will get these readings: 1-Volt on defrost, 6-Volt on heat, and 12-Volt on A/C.
2. Defective HVAC Control Module
We already know what the blend door actuator does. It controls the vent positions that control the airflow into the passenger area of your car. If the HVAC actuator doesn’t work properly, it causes the air conditioning of your car to fail. We mentioned this to clarify that there is a relationship between the blend door actuator and the HVAC Control module. The HVAC control module controls the entire activity of our car air conditioning including the HVAC actuator. If it fails, the blend door actuator will not work (no matter if it’s new or old).
Solution:
Replacing the AC control module of your car is the only solution for this issue. Just disconnect the battery, remove the trim panel, and pull out the control module. Then, install a new control module and put everything back into its place. You can also follow the tutorial to learn how to replace the HVAC control unit.
3. Calibrate Blend Door Actuator Improperly
After replacing the blend door actuator, you should let the HVAC control module recalibrate the HVAC actuator. If you try to adjust any controls while the control module is self-calibrating, the blend door actuator will not work properly.
Either way, calibrating the HVAC actuator improperly will also be responsible for a malfunctioning blend door actuator. In the next chapter on HVAC actuator reset, we will break down the HVAC blend motor actuator recalibration process.
How To Calibrate Blend Door Actuator?
Recalibrating the blend door actuator is a simple task. Below, we will describe two alternative methods to calibrate the HVAC actuator. So, let’s get started.
Blend Door Actuator Reset With Scan Tool:
- Clear away every diagnostic trouble code or DTC
- Turn the ignition switch to the off position.
- Install the blend door actuator or HVAC actuator.
- Now, put every component back into its place or connect them.
- Start your car by turning on the ignition switch.
- With the scan tool, begin the Motor Re-calibration feature of the Heating & Air Conditioning Special Function menu.
- Finally, confirm that there are no DTCs activated as the current DTCs.
Blend Door Actuator Reset Without Scan Tool:
- Place the ignition key in the on position and switch on the HVAC system.
- Turn the ignition key to the off position.
- Open your car hood and find the #15 fuse in the fuse box. You can find the box next to the car battery.
- Pull out the fuse and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Put the fuse back into its place.
- Now, start the vehicle by turning the ignition switch to the on position. You can find the motor spins as the system goes through the re-calibration process. We recommend you leave the ignition key in the on position until the calibration routine finishes.
FAQs:
How do I know if my blend door actuator is not working?
Here are some bad blend door actuator symptoms that will let you know about a malfunctioning HVAC actuator.
1. You may hear a clicking noise.
2. You will get incorrect outlet temperatures like hotter or cooler air due to a defective blend door actuator.
3. Inconsistent airflow coming from the vents.
Why is my blend door actuator not working?
A defective blend door actuator, wire loose connection, or a bad control module are the culprits that cause the HVAC actuator to not work.
Can you repair a blend door actuator?
It is possible to repair a blend door actuator if the wiring comes loose. In this case, tightening up the wiring will fix the issue. But you can’t repair the blend door actuator if it gets broken. In this regard, you should replace the blend door actuator.
How long does it take to replace a blend door actuator?
It’s just a piece of cake to replace a blend door actuator. A mechanic doesn’t require more than an hour to replace it.
How much does it cost to replace the blend door actuator?
You should spend $309 to $355 to replace the HVAC actuator. It will eat up to $130 from your wallet to get the parts while the labor cost will add between $178 to $225.
Conclusion
Replacing a blend door actuator will not bring any luck if the wire comes loose at the wiring harness.
Therefore, defective HVAC control modules and calibrating the actuator incorrectly are also responsible for a malfunctioning blend door actuator.
Just follow the troubleshooting steps we mentioned to get the HVAC actuator in the working state. Otherwise, you should bring your car to a certified mechanic if you fail to solve the issue after trying those troubleshooting methods.
Note: You can also read how to fix Cooling fan comes on with ignition.
About John M
John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.