2007 Sierra 1500 HVAC not changing modes

[Carl_G]

Hi all. Hoping for some direction from members here. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra SLT 5.3 New Body and recently (well, a few months) my HVAC hasn't been changing modes (from floor to defrost to vent etc etc)......more specifically, sometimes it does when I press the button, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it changes way after I press a button, sometimes not at all

So basically, the truck HVAC has a mind of it's own. I have done reading and think it may be the "blend door actuator", a common problem with these trucks. However, I have also read that there are 3 actuators spread out that do different things and I'd like to know which one controls the HVAC modes and it's location before I start messing around with the dash.

 

So, could anyone point me in the direction of what actuator I need to replace and it's general location (passenger side, driver's side etc).

 

As a side note, I had gone to the dealer first and they "reset" the system and it worked all of 30 seconds and they said no codes were being thrown when they looked. That cost me 170.00 for the 30 minutes they had the truck and when I went back they said they would have to pull the dash as they couldn't speculate what the issue might be. Needless to say, I'm not interested in going back.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[Carl_G]

Bump! Anyone?

[Mikeb52r]

Sounds like your right about the blend door actuator being bad. Had the same problem with mine right after I bought it new. Dealership reprogrammed it twice then finally replaced the actuator. Now I am not positive, but it might need to be reprogrammed after replacement. I know someone will chime in on that statement. Anyway you are in the right area, as to it exact location I do not know.

[Carl_G]

Hi Mike, thanks for the response. I've ordered another actuator and it should be here tomorrow. I would really appreciate it if the person you know could chime in about reprogramming as I am not familiar with how or what to do once I actually get the new part in.

But so far so good. The part was 192.00 (that's the going rate for it here in northern Canada!) but so far that's way cheaper than the dealer who roughly estimated 1000 - 1500.

 

Anyway, if anyone else comes across this problem hopefully this may help out. The actuator on the driver's side is the one controlling the modes, and the one on the passenger side controls the temperature. The part on the actuator that I am replacing is OEM number: 52402598 and the after market part is made by Dorman Part Number: 604-106. Apparently this part can replace either actuator.

 

I will receive the part tomorrow and install it, and hopefully I can get this reprogramming done as well and will post whether it was successful or not.

[Mikeb52r]

Sounds like your on the right track. Do the install and if it works your golden, but if not then you might have to have it programmed. Thanks for the info and keep us updated.

[Carl_G]

So, just for anyone who might need some help with this.....

I updated the new actuator and it all works perfectly! The part was grossly overpriced at 192.00 but considering the dealer wanted 1500.00, I'm pretty ok with the cost. With winter coming quickly, it'll be great to have all modes working again. So here's what I did:

 

 

I disconnected the negative end of the battery. No idea if you have to or not but I did just to be safe.

 

When you look at the alignment notches (see picture), make sure the new one is at the same setting as the old one (mine were both at what I would say is the 90 degree setting). You'll see what I mean when you see the picture. Since the connection rod is kind of a rectangle in shape, they have to be set the same or screwing the new one back in will not work.

 

1. Confirm what actuator is bad. If the HVAC doesn't change modes, your air door actuator is bad. It is located on the driver side. There is a HVAC floor vent tube blocking your view to see up the dash. It thankfully can be split apart at a connection right in the middle of the tube. Separate it and look up and slightly to the center (towards the console), and you will see it mounted sideways.

If your temperature doesn't change, or blend properly, your blend door actuator is bad It is located on the passenger side, under the glove box. You will have to remove the 3 bolts holding a plastic cover hiding all the bits. 2 bolts are easy to find and remove. The last bolt is close to the console and is a huge pain in the ass to remove. Once it is removed, you will see the actuator there mounted flat. There are 2 small bolts on each one and they will have to be removed.

 

2. Remove the 2 bolts holding the actuator. Smaller the hands, the less painful it is. Be slow with it.

 

3. Gently remove the wiring harness that connects to the actuator. There is a pressure clip holding it in as well, so be very gentle when removing it!

 

4. Plug the wiring harness into the new actuator

 

5. Mount the new one on. Right now if you haven't read the first warning about the setting of the actuator, you'll be wondering why it doesn't fit right. Happened to me! lol

 

6. Secure the new actuator with the 2 small bolts that you hopefully haven't lost.

 

7. Test the new actuator by connecting the battery and turning the vehicle on. Apparently you should not touch it for a minute or 2 because of the computer in the truck doing a re learn. I followed that instruction just to be safe.

 

8. Put any covers or anything else back together and enjoy sticking it to the dealer that was gonna stick it to you.

 

Anyway, I have very little know-how to do this but with help on forums and you tube, and now hopefully this thread, you'll have success as well.

 

Cheers!

 

I can't seem to attach the picture of the actuator so a description will have to suffice. The small circle on the casing has a notch on it. Make sure the notch is in the same position as the old one before you mount the new one.

[Carl_G]

Almost 2 years to the day.....the doorman actuator failed.  Now I have the exact same problem.  Sigh.  At least I found this post again!

[carnau]

delete

[carnau]

26 minutes ago, Carl_G said:

Almost 2 years to the day.....the doorman actuator failed.  Now I have the exact same problem.  Sigh.  At least I found this post again!

At least the actuator is only 48 dollars now. http://amzn.to/2hYkaKk

[Carl_G]

Hey Carnau thanks for the tip!  With shipping and currency conversion it turned out to be 74 bucks (which is still a great deal compared to what I spent last time) but following your tip I went and searched the part on amazon.ca and I found a super cheap one for 35.74 CAD so pretty much 30 bucks US

 

https://www.amazon.ca/Heater-Blend-Actuator-94-14-Pickup/dp/B01NANKGTG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1511806453&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=52402598+ac+delco

 

Ya, It'll probably bust in a year but hell, it only lasted 2 years the first time so if I get a year out of it, I'll be happy.  Thanks again!

[carnau]

15 minutes ago, Carl_G said:

Hey Carnau thanks for the tip!  With shipping and currency conversion it turned out to be 74 bucks (which is still a great deal compared to what I spent last time) but following your tip I went and searched the part on amazon.ca and I found a super cheap one for 35.74 CAD so pretty much 30 bucks US

 

https://www.amazon.ca/Heater-Blend-Actuator-94-14-Pickup/dp/B01NANKGTG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1511806453&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=52402598+ac+delco

 

Ya, It'll probably bust in a year but hell, it only lasted 2 years the first time so if I get a year out of it, I'll be happy.  Thanks again!

Np. The only problem I have with some of these cheaper actuators are the motor is so strong that it actually breaks the hvac door and causes you a $1000 problem when you have to remove the dash to replace the actual door. But I'm glad it helped!

[Carl_G]

Oh, good point.  I might just pony up for the AC Delco one you posted then.  I don't want to create problems for myself.  Quite frankly 75 bucks is still way better than the 190 bucks I spent last time from the local part shop, which is still way better than the 1500 bucks the shop wanted! 

[carnau]

Not trying to deter you from saving money. I have just seen what cheap actuators can do to a vehicle. Sometimes spending a little more can save you a lot more in the end.

[Carl_G]

Thanks again Carnau.  I'm going to get the AC Delco one.  Ordering later today!