Re-circulation Blend Door - where/how/ehh?

[SnowDrifter]

Yeah, mine's done. Need to replace the thing

Issue is I can't seem to find any info on it. Where it is, how to get to it, etc. Even alldata shows no results for "recirculation" or "blend door."

So like... Where is it? And what's the best way to get to it?

 

[swathdiver]

Yeah, mine's done. Need to replace the thing

Issue is I can't seem to find any info on it. Where it is, how to get to it, etc. Even alldata shows no results for "recirculation" or "blend door."

So like... Where is it? And what's the best way to get to it?

It's high in the dash on the passenger side. It faces the driver's side and is mounted vertically. In this video, the actuator is just off center on screen, you can see one of the bolts and a red piece of the connector to it. This view is through the airbag on my 2009. The passenger side temperature actuator is a few inches away, just out of view on the left.

Oh, for AllData, use the terms "Air Inlet Valve Actuator".

- James

 

[Foot0069]

One of those marvelous contusion act necessary kinda jobs. I've always pulled the seats for dash work. But then again I'm 6'5".

 

[B-train]

One of those marvelous contusion act necessary kinda jobs. I've always pulled the seats for dash work. But then again I'm 6'5".

You have to pull the seats to just use the car.....LOL

 

[SnowDrifter]

One of those marvelous contusion act necessary kinda jobs. I've always pulled the seats for dash work. But then again I'm 6'5".

Oh lovely

I hate dash work

Doable without the dash? Or nah?

Found the entry in alldata. Instructions aren't that helpful. It's basically... "Take it out. Then put it back"

 

[swathdiver]

Oh lovely

I hate dash work

Doable without the dash? Or nah?

Found the entry in alldata. Instructions aren't that helpful. It's basically... "Take it out. Then put it back"

You don't pull the seats to do them. I don't remember what an 800s dash looks like, I just popped the trim and my passenger side airbag to get at it.

 

[Scott in AZ]

Who knew?!?! Who knew this was even a thing. OK, how do I know if I need to replace my pax-side recirc actuator? I still have PTSD from the driver’s side mode blend door actuator.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Got a proper look at the thing

ugh... I don't think there's a way to get at it without pulling the dash

Excuse me while I complain about it for a week before actually doing anything

 

[mattbta]

I ordered the part for passenger side temp control and I think I complained and deferred to future Matt for almost a year before finally pulling the dash. It’s more intimidating than it is difficult.

 

[Fless]

Got a proper look at the thing

ugh... I don't think there's a way to get at it without pulling the dash

Excuse me while I complain about it for a week before actually doing anything

I can relate...

 

[ScottyBoy]

The actuators are in different locations depending on the year. 00-02 didn't have dual zone air, so there's only one blend door actuator. On my 2001, is just below the glove box, more towards the center console. It's half way above the transmission tunnel hump. I need to replace mine, as it's been sticking for years. But I've just been unplugging it during the summer after I get it to switch to cool, then it's stuck on cool until I plug it back in. But then it's a hassle when the cold weather comes. I need to get around to replacing it one day.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Gents I could use another set of eyes

I'm at a bit of an impasse where it's not clear what my next step is. Looks like I should be able to scoot the vent tubes out of the way and get all the access I need, but those are held in place by basically the rest of the dash. Needs to clear the right corner to be moved back enough to lift out of the way. But uhh... No space to push it back

Anything obvious I'm missing before I go to the nest step of "the entire thing"?

https://imgur.com/mMm7om5

 

[mattbta]

Service manual lists two types - Visteon or Delphi. I have no idea how to tell the difference, so here's the Delphi one as it seems more likely.

Usually the manual lists the hard way to do it, so maybe others will have some guidance.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Honestly I managed to get it out after just walking away and looking back at it

Ducts have just enough give that I can push them out of the way with my hand and get to everything I needed

Getting the new one in, however.... I'm in f-it-break-things territory right now. Always feels like it's close to getting lined up but never does

Grumble grumble

Need to walk away from this one for an hour or 2 and clear the 'ol noggin

 

[SnowDrifter]

Service manual lists two types - Visteon or Delphi. I have no idea how to tell the difference, so here's the Delphi one as it seems more likely.

Usually the manual lists the hard way to do it, so maybe others will have some guidance.

mmmmm

Yep. literally, step 1, the entire thing lol

 

[Scott in AZ]

You might want to replace the ambient light sensor while you have the dash cover off. Mine is failed so my DRLs never come on; nighttime lights are always on. I’ve learned this is a common failure. It’s my next project. Good luck w your actuator.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Got the actuator in

Pulled the fuse for the calibration

Watched the door close to outside air

Aaaaaand recirc still doesn't work

I'm sorry but what the ****?

 

[SnowDrifter]

So I take out the actuator and it's over-ranged

https://imgur.com/pkEeYsR

Blend door isn't broken or anything

..... What?

 

[SnowDrifter]

Oookay

Update

So, it seems to be over-ranging when set to outside-air. Which swings the door towards the interior against some plastic grating.

If I stick my fingers in there and stop the door from ranging all the way, it works fine.

If I remove my fingers and allow it to go to to full-range, issue presents itself again.


So now the question becomes....

How do I constrain the things movement?

OR

Is this doable in software - extend the allowable range such that it won't error?

 

[SnowDrifter]

HMMMM

Wonder which version I have and if the dealer still even has the tools to do this