Replaced My Blend Door Actuator

[leftoverture]

Just got done replacing my passenger side blend door actuator. The old one was stripped completely inside. The job is not that bad, except getting to the mounting screw on the far side. The new part was $132.00, though. Kind of spendy but now I have the same temp on both sides instead of cold on one and heat on the other. I found the diagram on this forum in this thread:

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14832

Basically, you just take the glove box out and it's right there on top. Disconnect the metal rod between the actuator and the blend door and take the mounting screws out of the actuator. The far side is very tough to get to, I used a 7/32" socket clamped in a vise grip to get it loose and then muscled it out with my fingers on the socket the rest of the way. I couldn't get a ratchet in there, even my tiny little one.

Once the actuator was loose I disconnected the harness connector from it. Installation is the reverse. Make sure to note the orientation of the metal rod as it has a bend in it that must go back the correct way. When you clip it back on to the blend door arm, make sure to have it adjusted properly so it can move the door through its full range. When you reinstall the glove box door pay special attention to centering it in the opening so it works properly when you're done.

For my 95, the GM part number is 16141822. This is important because the first part the dealer gave me looked the same but had a different pin out for the connector. Before installing your new one, make sure the pin out is the same as your old one.

The first one lasted 15 years, so hopefully the new one will last a long time, too.

 

[HotZ28]

The new part was $132.00, though. Kind of spendy but now I have the same temp on both sides instead of cold on one and heat on the other.

Good detailed writeup and thanks! For those of you who may experience the same problem, you can buy the same ACDelco actuator (Part # 15-71923 OEM # 16141822) @ RockAuto Parts Catalog for $65.79 ea plus shipping; or Rightnowautoparts.com for $52.54 plus shipping. No need to pay the dealer 60% mark-up! 🙄 BTW, this is particular actuator is for the (CJ2) (auto climate control with passenger side control) system only! If you have the (C67) system, you would use ACDelco (Part #15-71835 OEM Part #16124942) System ID is located on the SPID sticker on top of the spare tire cover.

 

[kennjame62]

Just got done replacing my passenger side blend door actuator. The old one was stripped completely inside. The job is not that bad, except getting to the mounting screw on the far side. The new part was $132.00, though. Kind of spendy but now I have the same temp on both sides instead of cold on one and heat on the other. I found the diagram on this forum in this thread:

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14832

Basically, you just take the glove box out and it's right there on top. Disconnect the metal rod between the actuator and the blend door and take the mounting screws out of the actuator. The far side is very tough to get to, I used a 7/32" socket clamped in a vise grip to get it loose and then muscled it out with my fingers on the socket the rest of the way. I couldn't get a ratchet in there, even my tiny little one.

Once the actuator was loose I disconnected the harness connector from it. Installation is the reverse. Make sure to note the orientation of the metal rod as it has a bend in it that must go back the correct way. When you clip it back on to the blend door arm, make sure to have it adjusted properly so it can move the door through its full range. When you reinstall the glove box door pay special attention to centering it in the opening so it works properly when you're done.

For my 95, the GM part number is 16141822. This is important because the first part the dealer gave me looked the same but had a different pin out for the connector. Before installing your new one, make sure the pin out is the same as your old one.

The first one lasted 15 years, so hopefully the new one will last a long time, too.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I am experiencing the same issue on my 98' and cannot find another thread with the same issue.
Is this actuator for the temperature (hot to cold) or the mode?
Thanks!
James

 

[HotZ28]

I would suspect that was the temp control the OP was talking about, not the blend doors, which direct air to the different vents. The OP has not posted in the forums since 2013, (3+yrs) but hopefully he will see this post and clarify.


http://buickforums.com/forums/search.php?searchid=294081

 

[bigblockelectra]

I can hear some whirring and buzzing in certain modes, mainly when air routed to the floor setting....I can hear a motor moving and resetting like it is trying to open or close but is blocked so it just keeps resetting. I think I will be doing this job fairly soon. Air temp is fine on both sides, but I do notice that the passenger side A/C is slightly colder than the driver side vents.

 

[PromiseRing]

Hey guys, first post here. I'm not a buick guy by any means but I 'fixed up' my grandmas old Park Ave ('99 or 2000 I think) and got it running reliably after sitting a few years.

Anyway, I can get the air to go to all different vents like defroster, front vents, or feet. However, with the ac on, cool air comes from the drivers vents but very very hot heat comes from the passenger side vents. I had thought this was a blend door but I do not know anything about these HVAC systems. So since the AC and heat both work, what part is likely to cause the differing temps? Both settings are set to cold by the way..Thanks!

Richie

 

[The Avenue]

Does it blow hot air, or whatever it is outside? Could try the KOEO(key on, engine off) way of resetting the actuators.

With the key in, turn it to the on position, but don't turn it over. Turn the AC off and let it set 3 to 5 minutes. You should be able to hear the actuators moving and clicking. After the 3 to 5 minutes, turn it off and then start the car.

While you are waiting the 3-5 minutes, put your ear to the passenger side by the glove box and see if you can hear it clicking. If there's nothing, then that actuator may be shot or the plastic gear may be stripped. You might also check to see if it needs refrigerant.

 

[PromiseRing]

Does it blow hot air, or whatever it is outside? Could try the KOEO(key on, engine off) way of resetting the actuators.

With the key in, turn it to the on position, but don't turn it over. Turn the AC off and let it set 3 to 5 minutes. You should be able to hear the actuators moving and clicking. After the 3 to 5 minutes, turn it off and then start the car.

While you are waiting the 3-5 minutes, put your ear to the passenger side by the glove box and see if you can hear it clicking. If there's nothing, then that actuator may be shot or the plastic gear may be stripped. You might also check to see if it needs refrigerant.

Yesterday it was about 85F outside and I was only able to get HOT air out of the passenger side vents, whether the settings were on 60F or 80F (or whatever the highest setting is). Heat was about 130F out the passenger side, no matter if I put it on middle vent, floor, blend, or defrost. It was hot no matter what.

As for the driver side, it was always cool/ambient. AC works but not well. Vent temps were about 70-75F on the coldest setting, ac compressor comes on like it should. I plan to do an AC service once I fix the temp control issue. Temps were only about 80-85F on the hottest setting.

I remember in winter the drivers side was freezing cold no matter what the setting was on.

So essentially, only heat from passenger side and only cool/ambient from drivers side, regardless of temp settings and fan control direction.

Thanks for the advice, I will try your test. For what it's worth, I did hear some clicking going on on the passenger side when I changed the settings. So maybe the blend door gears are stripped? I just don't know exactly what makes cool vs warm air come out, is it the blend door or temp control board?

 

[The Avenue]

It's a blend door that doles out the heat and cold. It's a possibility that it may be stuck. Hopefully adding refrigerant and doing the reset will fix it.

 

[PromiseRing]

It's a blend door that doles out the heat and cold. It's a possibility that it may be stuck. Hopefully adding refrigerant and doing the reset will fix it.

wait a second, servicing the ac system will reset the blend doors?? I will vacuum and recharge the system asap.

If it does not, is that indicative of a bad blend door?

 

[The Avenue]

No, it won't, but I'd start with the refrigerant, then do the actuator reset. Let it run for a few minutes and see if it gets cold, then if it does, keep it running to see if it stays cold.

 

[PromiseRing]

Long time update. It never got cold. Grandma is old and the upcoming Missouri heat is unsafe for her to drive in. I vacuumed and recharged the AC and there's no change. Pressures were all within spec I believe, so I'm just thinking it's a blend door issue.

What blend door actuators interchange between other GM prducts? Like other Buicks, silverados, etc etc. She is jobless and if I can't pull a few JY parts to try my luck, we will just scrap the car.

Edit: woah. I also just realized how cheap some of these are on Rock Auto. Any experience with the cheap ones?

 

[imidazol97]

The parts numbers on rockauto are clickable and give a flyout listing of what models use that same part.

If you sure of which part is where..., that's a big help.

Some of the parts companies have blowup pictures showing which actuator does what action.

 

[PromiseRing]

So I am home for the summer and did a little bit more troubleshooting on her car. If I start the car and let it get warm, then turn on max cold, I get decent ac quality out the drivers side, but scorching hot air out the passenger side. Being that it’s summer and she is approaching 75 years, this is unsafe.

That being said, I noticed that the air flow blend doors work fine. Meaning I can direct airflow to the defrost, main vents, feet, etc just as I should be able to. It’s the temperature portion that does not work.

So, would someone mind telling me if I’ve got the right parts list here?

For the driver side temp control and passenger side temp control, rock auto calls them a Heater blend door actuator. Is this what I am needing? I was going to grab the first 2 listed in the link. I understand they are the cheapest on there and probably not great quality. But I really don’t know how long this car will be on the road so if they can get us through the summer I am happy.
1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE 3.8L V6 Heater Blend Door Actuator | RockAuto