has anyone replaced the blend door actuator?

Im getting this knocking noise when i first turn on my truck. took to dealer, 1st quote was $250 (actuator behind radio) and the final was $750(because actuator further inside the dash needs to be replaced) part is under $60 bucks. So i said no!!! i orddered the part and will try this project out myself. I have more time then money!
Truck is out of warranty only has powertrain coverage.
Any instructions on replacing this part available??

 

A while back, I had same issue and had the actuator and some hvac reflash done under a K17 recall. It was the second time a dealer performed this recall, first time was just an hvac reflash and check actuators.

 

it is my understanding that a software tweak also needs to take place (performed in the K17 TSB/RRT).
I would not replace the parts w/o having the software update performed or you will probably be replacing them again. Again, it is my understanding that the update changes the metrics of the actuator function, not the actual function.
good luck
also, make sure you find someone with digital copy of the service manual, plenty of people here have it.

 

This should help.

For those out of warranty and like to fix your own things, here is a quick guide for that clicking noise.

Chances are it is only the motor that is bad if it is clicking or thumping.
Not very hard to fix really. I think most of these cases are the motor gears stripping and not the doors themselves.

If you know how to take the center stack bezel around the radio off you are halfway there. Don't forget about the screw over the 115V out let. Take the bezel off then the two side 12V acc. plugs. Remove the ring bezel around the cup holder if equipped.

Remove the cup holder assembly if you have one.

The culprit is the lower center motor, unplug remove two screws and remove

If the gears are stripped you can position the big gear 180 out from the smaller gear. The door only travels about 120 degrees so won't hit the stripped part.

Reassemble and you should be good to go. 1 to 2 hours of your time. If you want to get a new motor it is about $40 from Chrysler.

Hopefully this is the extent of your problem.

 

LVRR
Great post.

 

If you had it repaired under the recall and it broke again, then shouldn't it be covered by the warranty on the repair??

 

I was told it is covered under the warranty ONLY if they actually replaced the part once. I had the recall done but all they did was the flash update. After the 3y/36k was over, the actuator broke. The dealer would not cover it under warranty! I think that is a bunch of BS since Chrysler knew all along that they had bad actuators in the trucks. They basically waited out the warranty. I used to be in charge of retrofits and recalls for an electronics company and we honored the rework even if it was out of the initial warranty as we knew which production codes and manufacturing dates were suspect/bad. I even had a budget set aside for such things based on historical data from previous programs. Sorry for the rant.

 

very good feedback thanks guys, does anyone know where the seconnd actuator is located? its supposed to be behind the heater?

 

great info

 

anyone hae didgital copy of owners manual or know how i can obtain it?