Replacing HVAC under dash actuator

Hi,

Is that the air-temperature actuator? If it is, connect the actuator and by changing the temperature requested, it should allow you to align it.

If I recall (this is from memory), the new actuator is set for everything off as far as temperature. I'm not sure what the original one was set at when it failed.

Try that and let me know if it helps. Also, hang in there. I agree the heat was crazy today. LOL

Take care,

Joe

Update: I got it installed. The thing is my defrost works and my under-dash air flow but it’s not as cool still. So, why? It’s not blowing hot it just isn’t as cool as passenger side.

Hi,

If everything were tight and in good condition, there could be a voltage issue to the actuator itself. The actuator receives voltage from the controller. Based on the request, different voltages are sent to the actuator for cooling. That is how the actuator knows how far to open. When you want heat, the polarity is switched to the actuator which causes the motor to turn in the opposite direction. How much of a difference is there between the two sides?

If you want to check the voltage signal, I attached the directions below. Note that you will be checking voltage to the actuator and not from the actuator.

The specs are at the bottom of the pic.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know if you have questions or what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Heat works fine as well, just this drivers side not cool.

At this point, what I suggest is this. Remove the new actuator. With it plugged in, see if it responds when you change the temperature request. If it does, turn the blend air door manually to see if you get cold air on the driver's side.

If the sensor doesn't respond, then we need to get a voltmeter or multimeter and check to see if it is getting the correct power.

Let me know.

Joe

Are you saying this pic below is the thing I need to manually turn after I remove the actuator but leave it plugged up? The thing is it has the 2 holes where the actuator housing fits and it won’t line up but 1 way - I manually turned it every way but inside out lol trying to get the new actuator with the housing to fit ( it only fits if it’s turned a certain way and that’s how I got it back in … are we sure the passenger side actuator isn’t a problem even though it cools much cooler than the driver's side (is this drivers side more the “ mode “ actuator than a blender ?

Hi,

Yes, that is what will turn. As far as the actuator, it is a blend air door actuator. When you have dual climate control, each side has its own actuator.

Let me know.

Joe

Okay, as of today while driving the A/C is on and the fan dial is halfway, yet I notice it blowing hard for a few seconds and then not so much on its own I hadn’t touched the dial it was set halfway which would be like a medium blow. What does that mean?

Hi,

Have you ever replaced the cabin air filter? If it's really dirty, it can cause air restrictions? Also, when you noticed the change in air flow, are you sure it wasn't changing air flow direction?

If you never replaced the cabin air filter, I would suggest removing it and inspecting it. It is located right behind the glove box.

I attached the directions for replacing it below.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

That’s the first thing beside check fuses I did was cleaned the in-cabin air filter and reach inside the fan under it to get any debris was a leaf in it that’s it. Yesterday the air was on max, and fan was set to a little past halfway (as shown in pic) it was blowing on medium and then I heard it blow louder then back lower I was like hmm. The gold line is where it was set to blow and it always blows fine never an issue with flow, just that driver's side isn’t cooling.

Hi,

Do you run it on max A/C all the time? If that is the case, you could be causing the evaporator to freeze up. Max A/C recirculates the interior air to help cool the vehicle down faster. Once it does, you should change it to regular A/C which brings in outside air.

Do me a favor. Try that. See if it does the same thing if it is on A/C and not Max A/C.

Let me know.

Joe

Well, I’m went two miles up the road and back I didn’t it highly unlikely the A/C would freeze up with the passenger side is not blowing super cold and the driver's side is only a Luke cool - it’s not usable in the middle of the day when it’s 90 it just to hot outside. I'm stumped over this completely, but my gut says it’s something minor, just a matter of trial and error. I get what you're saying about unscrew the actuator leave plugged up and see if the other think resets itself. The problem is it’s where it needs to be for the housing to fit you can manually move it and that’s why I had such a hard time getting the housing back on it’s 1 position it fits ..( I’m going to try to remove the fuses that go to that and then put back in and crank the car I was told that makes a reset. I guess I might have to face no A/C this summer I’m getting over frustrated. The shop said replace condenser and compressor but if the passenger side is 69 degrees at the time of check that means it’s working - just not drivers' side. Anyway, thank you for all your help, it’s greatly appreciated more than you know. I will try to check this soon.

Hi,

If the cooling is just weak, are you certain it isn't low on freon? The idea I mentioned was based on one side being cold. Even a dirty A/C condenser can cause it to blow warmer than it should.

Take a look through this link and let me know your thoughts:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Let me know.

Joe

My car was checked at a shop - full Freon, no leaks, working. just temperatures different, they told me the passenger side was 68 and drivers was 74. told me I needed to replace compressor and condenser $1,500.00, even though was cooling on passenger side. anyway took front clip off car to fix a light and while it was off checked the condenser seemed to not be really dirty (gently with some pressure cleaned it) compressor is running and no noises. months ago, there was a clicking ticking noise that I had no idea what was, it stopped. and it wasn’t quite summer so to speak here south Alabama, but thought nothing of it until time to really turn on the A/C. I'm going to try to rest the actuator I replaced under drivers dash I’m thinking it can be it needs calibrated). I will follow previous instructs on that and I’m wondering if the temp control actuator isn’t the one on the passenger side and it’s not working properly, there is blender / mode / temperature control - I’m hoping this is the real issue some where somehow lol, but I’m learning a lot for sure.

Hi,

Southern, Alabama, I envy you. LOL Regardless, was the clicking sound coming from under the dash? That is usually an indicator of a bad actuator.

Take a look through this link, specifically the first three sections:

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

Now, you mentioned the temperatures from the A/C. That is actually warm for both sides. If the system is properly working, it should be around the mid 40s.

I realize they said the system is properly charged, I need to know what both the high and low side pressures are when it's running. That information along with the outside temperature when checked will tell me a lot.

Let me know.

Joe

I have no way of knowing what the pressures are, all I know is it’s a lot cooler on passenger side but there again gets no cooler. That is why I’m wondering if the passenger side actuator is controlling the temperature since that seems to be the only issue? I’m assuming it was under the dash noise at the time but it stopped long ago hard to tell when some noise locations, but it was a tick, tick, tick. lol

I’m hooked the housing but not the plug after turning car on A/C on the white thing does not move.

Hi,

The tick you heard was likely one of the actuators. As far as the pic above, the white thing is turned by the actuator. If you checked it while it was disconnected, it won't move. You have to watch the motor itself to see if it is moving.

Let me know.

Joe

I took the housing off the white thing but did not unplug. The white thing did not move after turning on key /AC. I put housing with motor back on white thing and check fuses again / o return on car and A/C and it did not move. But it definitely controls the defrost and under dash air flow on drivers' side because when it was white thing it did not have defrost or under dash air. Maybe that’s all it does. Maybe my issue is with the passenger side actuator, maybe it controls temperature as well for both sides. it’s definitely been a mystery.

Hi,

The white thing is what the actuator turns. With the actuator removed, can you manually turn the white thing to change air flow?

Joe

Yes, I can manually turn the white thing because I had to turn it to beagle to put the actuator housing on it lined up. I’m not sure if turning it affects the air flow (I know the white thing did not move while the motor housing was still plugged in but not bolted onto the white thing. After I re-bolted the housing and motor back to the white thing then I had the defrost and under dash air and I have always had vent air regardless of any of this. That’s why I think that might be all it does. I’m going to try the passenger side actuator at some point this weekend (it’s very rainy and hot where I am but it’s easier to get to). So we will see.

Hi,

Do me a favor. This is going to sound crazy, but with the actuator removed, move the white thing to see if you are getting all air flow directions.

Now, I need confirmation. Are we focused on the air temperature or the air flow direction? I'm getting confused. LOL They are two different actuators. What you show me in pics is the air temperature actuator, but you mentioned it now changes from floor to defrost. I just need to refocus myself. LOL

Take care,

Joe

No, when the actuator isn’t connected to the white thing but still plugged in, I have no defrost air or under dash air flow. I do have air through the vents on the dash. just the air is not cool the passenger is still cooler.

Okay, then the actuator you are working with is the mode door actuator. That doesn't control the air temp. Have you replaced the blend door actuator?

Joe

No, because I didn’t know which or where the blend was located on this car. I’m assuming the one beside or behind the glove box may be the one I need to replace. There wasn’t much help on Google or YouTube for the year car I have and some diagrams aren’t easily understood on location. So, do you know the location? Is it the one by the side of the glove box? Or where? And a big thank you for all your help it’s more than appreciated!!!!

Hi,

There are two temperature actuators. The passenger temperature actuator is on the right side and driver's is on the left, right above the mode actuator.

See pics below.

Joe

Guess I will have to look under the driver’s dash again, all I see is the actuator that’s connected to the white pancake thing. so, that makes two under the drivers? You kind of lost me, some diagrams don’t work. Because they may not be for. My Hyundai 09 - it’s been a headache trying to find the correct actuator. Okay, so, what if the new actuator motor isn’t making the pancake thing turn? In one of our talks you said the motor on the housing that bolts onto the white pancake is supposed to move so that it controls the air, that’s when I said with it plugged up but not connected to the pancake thing I have no defrost no under dash air of any kind but when I put it back on the pancake and screw it done. I then have defrost air and under dash. Not sure that’s controlling the temperature? Should I try the passenger to see what’s up with it?

Hi,

You are correct. It sounds like it's the mode door you are working with. That is what changes the airflow direction and not the air temperature.

As far as the passenger side, if you are able to control the air temperature on that side, it should be fine.

The pics I attached are the only ones I have. Are you saying yours looks different?

Joe

Well, according to your pictures the white thing with the actuator is what I been trying to get to work, obviously it works for the air flow of defrost and under dash air flow only. So, where is the blend door actuator?

Interestingly, the pic shows that is it. But I have a feeling they made a mistake in the pic. In the pic I sent, they identify the mode actuator. Maybe that is the one for temperature. Is there one in your vehicle like that?

Joe