Only cold air when we turn the heat on?

XMURRAYX

MEMBER
2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
4WD
AUTOMATIC
231,000 MILES

There's only cold air when we turn the heat on. Cold air everywhere, dash, defrost, feet, etc. What could be the problem? I believe what I've seen it's an actuator but not sure which one, based on my research, there's more than one. Took it to a friend who advised it's a part, door that might not be opening that controls the heat and cold sides and required pulling the whole dash apart. Is this needed, if so, it is something a lament can accomplish.

6 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,354 POSTS

Yep, it sounds like the temperature blend door actuator is no good, here is the location of the part that needs to be replaced but I would check the engine coolant level first. Also, here is a video for you to go over as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNRb6pSwYuU&t

Here is the location of the blend door actuator and how to change it out, you will need to decide if it is a job you want to tackle. I also included how to recalibrate the actuator once installed. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 AT 11:53 AM

XMURRAYX

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Hi Ken,

Thank you for your reply. I unscrewed and took off the blend door actuator and tested it by moving from hot to cold and cold to hot and it moved. Even though it moves, does that mean it's still broken? In addition to disassembling it, I did take a scope to the inside of the hole it goes in, and it doesn't look like there's any gears for it to turn? Is it supposed to turn something? Thanks in advance. Sorry I should have taken pictures when I had it apart. Now it's about 10 degrees out and not sure when I might be able to get back in the garage to take it apart. I also read the you can "bump" the line by running the car then jacking up the front and then the back, do you think that might help? Guess anything is worth a try, right?

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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 3:01 PM

XMURRAYX

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Funny, the video you shared is the exact one I watched the other day, thank you! However, I'm still wondering about my question "Even though it moves, does that mean it's still broken? In addition to disassembling it, I did take a scope to the inside of the hole it goes in, and it doesn't look like there's any gears for it to turn? Is it supposed to turn something?"
Thanks

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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 3:06 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,354 POSTS

It does not look like there is any gear to turn, so you say when you remove the actuator and then turn the pivot by hand it does not change?

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Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 10:02 AM

XMURRAYX

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I'm not sure what you mean by pivot. When I remove the actuator, it has groves like it should fit into another part, to turn it when the heat/cold knob is changed. Should the actuator (what appears to be a gear with grooves) fit into something else? Should it be turning something? Because when I turn the temp control knob on the dash the actuator moves, but what is it supposed to move? Is it supposed to turn something else? Thanks