Blend door actuator locations? Not working correctly?

Tiny
FREECAR1958
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I replaced drivers side blend door and when done the blinking started every time I cold start car. I now know it's running a cal. Test. But after 3 months of this I now am hearing clicking like before and it is running test twice now. Is there any way pushing different buttons I can stop this tests? Where should the controls be when I put new one in? All posts I see have different dash controls than mine they say turn key on and press recirculate button and power button same time but on my car they are both on middle dial power and recirculate if pushed so do I just push? Please help this is my 88 year old mothers car and is needed and can't afford to go to dealer. Thanking you in advance, Mike
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:43 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,463 POSTS
Okay, from your description you replaced the blend door actuator and it started doing the self test, now that blend door actuator is bad again and it is now cycling the test. Those are both likely due to the system not being calibrated to the new actuator when it was installed. That process requires a scan tool to erase the stored information and the system then learns the information from the replacement actuator. It runs the test because it is getting the wrong signals from the replacement part. With it clicking now I think it will need to be replaced again as the clicks are commonly caused by the plastic gearing inside failing.

Here is a guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

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

Once it is replaced and a scan tool used to calibrate it, and erase any stored trouble codes from the HVAC module all of the clicking and lights should cease. Unfortunately there is no way to do the calibration on that system without a scan tool. Some others can be done without one but not that system. Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
A clicking by the actuator is due to the plastic gears slipping. This is typical of one that has failed. The calibration is due to it needing to find its location so I would suggest putting the temp to full hot or full cold with the new actuator plugged in but not installed yet. This will cause the actuator to go to its full travel. Then manually hold the door in this position when you install the actuator and they will be aligned. Otherwise you may have them out of sync and it can cause them to wear out.

Otherwise you will need to have the calibration process run with a scan tool. The process that you are talking about doesn't actually run the calibration. It is just a reset process that people have had success in getting the light to stop flashing due to it running a calibration during the reset process. However, it does this every time you start the vehicle which is what the flashing button means. So that means we need replace the clicking actuator and then install as described above and when it runs the calibration it should learn the position and stop flashing.

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

Let us know what questions you have. Thanks
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 2010 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Every time I unlock the vehicle it knocks behind the glove box. I was wondering how many air door actuators there are and if they are easy to change.

Thank you,
Ryan
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Does this happen with the ignition off? There should be no power to the actuators without the key on. There are three. A blend door, mode door and re-circulation motor. Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi Roy, so when I unlock the doors it starts knocking like it needs to be in a certain position I just can in and got it to do it. I think it’s the one behind the heater core.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, it does it with the ignition off such as when I unlock the doors.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Can you check under the dash and see if you can feel it to see if it is an actuator?

Do all the controls work correctly?

Roy
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, the controls work when I switch it to defrost and lower feet that’s when it knocks. My wife said her feet freeze because of no heat on driver side.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TDUFFYIOWA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 91,000 MILES
Where is the drivers side door blend actuator located, how much dash has to come out?
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
The blend door is under the dash. You will have to disconnect the negative side of the battery before you start. Then remove any silencers or covers. The dash will not have to be removed. The blend door actuator is located on the left side of the HVAC unit under the dash.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Got it.

Can you feel which actuator is making the noise?

Roy
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It seems like it’s behind the heater core
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Got it.

Below is the procedure with a picture attached for the actuator.

Roy

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. See: Battery > Service and Repair
2. Remove the driver side knee blocker. See: Dashboard / Instrument Panel > Service and Repair
3. Remove the two screws (1) that secure the blend door actuator (3) to the driver side of the HVAC air distribution housing (4) and remove the actuator from the housing. See: Air Door Actuator / Motor, HVAC > Service and Repair
4. Disengage the red locking tab and disconnect the wire harness connector (2) from the blend door actuator and remove the actuator from the vehicle.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks Roy, I’m hoping that’s the one for sure. If not are the other ones tough to get to?
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, they are.

One step at a time.

Roy
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGEE66
  • MEMBER
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Okay, thanks a bunch. I will give it a try.
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RESPONCE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Air conditioner blows hot out of driverside vent.
Passenger vent and rear work fine.
This van has the three zone temp. Control with digital readout, thermostatic adjustment.
I have removed the driverside blend door actuator and moved the gear to shut the door (with a solid sounding thunk) but same results, hot driverside.
I have heard of replacing the blend door shaft due to a stop on it being broken.
I'm thinking of removing the filter or blower to try to look inside.
Please advise.
Ps. I noticed user "mleblanc" had same symptoms.
Posted june 27, 2007
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
A/C TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL (STRATIFICATION) BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT PANEL OUTLETS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): 24-007-02,  Date of Issue:  August 5, 2002 Related Ref Number(s): 24-007-02 ARTICLE BEGINNING SUBJECT A/C Temperature Differential (Stratification) Between Left and Right Front Panel Outlets OVERVIEW This bulletin involves diagnosing A/C temperature difference (stratification) between the left and right front panel outlets. MODELS 2001-2002 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager 2001-2002 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets) SYMPTOM/CONDITION More than 12 ° F. Warmer outlet air temperature on the left front panel outlet as compared to the right front panel outlet when the HVAC controls are set to max cold. DIAGNOSIS Set the A/C controls so that the compressor is engaged, the air within the vehicle is being recirculated, the output air is being directed through the panel outlets, the temperature control is in the full cool position, and the front and rear (if equipped with rear A/C) blower motor(s) are operating at their highest speed. Use a temperature probe to measure the front left and right panel outlet temperatures. If the difference between the two panel outlets is greater than 12 °F, perform the diagnostic procedure below.
CHRYSLER: 2001-2002 (RS) Town & Country/Voyager; (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets) DODGE: 2001-2002 (RS) Caravan GROUP: 24 - Heating & A/C NOTE: THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO RS/RG VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL ZONE MANUAL (HAD), 3 ZONE MANUAL (HAG), OR ATC (HAH) CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS
I will send this to your email too.
CALIBRATION TEST Description Heater, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control module must be recalibrated each time a door actuator is replaced or when HVAC control module is replaced. It is necessary for HVAC control module to learn feedback voltage values for each door stop position for all doors in front HVAC unit housing, and rear HVAC unit housing (if equipped). If any door actuator is out of calibration, HVAC system will not perform a maximum efficiency. 1. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Simultaneously depress and hold power (PWR) button and recirculation button of front control panel for 5 seconds, then release. LED lights of front control panel will begin to flash when calibration procedure has begun. Calibration procedure should take less than 3 minutes to complete. 2. When front control panel LED lights stop flashing, this indicates calibration procedure has been successfully completed. If LED lights remain flashing for longer than 3 minutes, HVAC control module has detected a fault with actuator door calibration. LEDs will continue to flash until even after ignition switch has been cycled off and on, until a successful calibration test is completed, or until vehicle has been driven about 3 miles. For diagnostic procedures for calibration test failure, see READING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under SELF- DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. PROGRAMMING RECIRCULATION PROGRAMMING Description Recirculation function is controlled by Heater, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control module and automatically returns to outside air mode as default setting, after an ignition cycle. This is done to prevent odors from building up in HVAC housing. It is recommended that recirculation mode be used as little as possible in humid climates to prevent odors from forming inside vehicle cabin. For hot/dry climates, people allergic to pollen or other airborne particles, or for drivers that find it necessary to frequently use recirculation mode, HVAC control module can be programmed to default to recirculation mode at end of an ignition cycle by performing the following procedure: 1. Start engine. Turn front blower motor switch to any position except off. Set mode control selector to face position. 2. Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Depress and hold recirculation button. Start engine, and continue to hold recirculation button and observe recirculation button LED indicator light. The recirculation button LED indicator light will flash repeatedly. When recirculation button LED indicator light stops flashing, release recirculation button. Programming is complete. 3. Turn engine off. Wait 10 seconds, then restart engine. Verify recirculation mode default setting is properly programmed. Repeat this procedure to select between recirculation mode default and outside air mode default settings.
HEATER-A/C CONTROL CALIBRATION The heater-A/C control module must be recalibrated each time an actuator motor or the control module is replaced. If the vehicle is so equipped, the calibration procedure also includes rear HVAC positions for each actuator motor. 1. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Simultaneously depress and hold the Power and Recirculation buttons on the heater-A/C control for at least five seconds. 2. The manual heater-A/C control power Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Recirculation LED, or the Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) heater-A/C control Delay and Recirculation graphics will begin to flash when the calibration procedure has begun. 3. The calibration procedure should take less than two minutes to complete for the manual heater- A/C control, and less than twenty seconds for the ATC heater-A/C control. When the LEDs or graphics stop flashing, the calibration procedure is complete. 4. If the LEDs or graphics continue to flash beyond the normal three minute (manual) or twenty second (ATC) calibration time, it indicates that the heater-A/C control has detected a failure and a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set. 5. Use a DRBIII Â scan tool to perform further diagnosis. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. The LEDs or graphics will continue to flash even after the ignition switch is cycled Off and On, until a successful calibration is completed or until the vehicle has been driven about 8 miles.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUG C PROUTY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,563 MILES
Okay, I am getting heat in vent straight but no defrost and no feet. Where can I find the blend door so I can order one the right one?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 10:16 AM (Merged)

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