A Chevrolet blend door actuator controls the flow of air and temperature of a car. As such, it’s pretty easy to notice bad blend door actuator symptoms.
But people often assume that if the heat or AC system of a car stops working or not reaching the desired temperature, they are symptoms of bad blend door actuator.
Resetting the blend door actuator isn’t the solution if you don’t know what the problems are! Even there is nothing to do, you are completely helpless.
But this isn’t the case all the time, as there are some common problems in AC systems that are often misdiagnosed.
So, what are the symptoms that show a blend door actuator is bad?
In this article, we’d enlighten you on some common symptoms of a bad blend door actuator. We’d also show you how to test the blend door actuator so you can tell if it is bad or not.
You’d also get to learn some bad blower motor symptoms, as well as symptoms of a bad climate control module.
Table of Contents
Most Common Chevy Bad Blend Door Actuator Symptoms
Driving a Chevy car with a faulty or bad actuator can be a very unpleasant experience.
Although what you may think is a bad blend door actuator might simply be low coolant in your car’s AC system or just a general malfunctioning.
However, if you are experiencing the following, then you can start inspecting your Chevy car’s blend door actuator as it might be faulty.
1. Wrong temperature
One of the first signs of a bad blend door actuator is when you are experiencing the wrong temperatures.
Perhaps the AC system of your car is blowing too hot or not getting hot at all; then it is a sign the blend door has gone bad.
However, this doesn’t mean that anytime you experience the wrong temperature in your car, you should diagnose it as a blend door actuator issue.
One way to differentiate if it is the blend door actuator that is bad or not is when the temperature is stuck at too low or too high.
2. Inconsistent airflow
Another common symptom that your car’s blend door actuator is bad is when you start experiencing inconsistent airflow.
When the blend door actuator is bad, you will notice the blend door moving back and forth. This diverts the air causing inconsistent airflow in the cabinet.
As such, the airflow will be inconsistent or not maintained correctly.
So, when you notice the airflow is not consistent, it is a pretty standard that indicates that the blend door actuator is bad and needs to be replaced or repaired if possible.
3. Light clicking noise beneath the dashboard
If you are hearing a light clicking noise coming from within your dashboard around the center area, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
However, the sound is sort of squeaking or repetitive droning sounds, it’s more or less a sign there is a problem with the HVAC system on your car.
The HVAC system is located around the dashboard of your car or truck. The light clicking noise is most likely caused by a bad blend door actuator.
And if the clicking noise is prominent when you turn on the AC of your car or truck, or it intensifies when you turn it on to adjust the temperature.
Then it is very much likely the blend door actuator that has gone bad.
4. Knocking sound under the dashboard
While you may hear a light clicking noise coming from your dashboard area.
Which can be caused by anything, at the same time, you may hear a loud knocking sound coming from the dashboard area. Hearing loud knocks is not a very common symptom that indicates anything good happening.
But if you are experiencing it, then you are most likely because you have issues with the blend door actuator of your truck.
5. Two different temperature
Interestingly, if you own a car or a truck with dual climate control, and you notice that the climate control isn’t responding, then it is most likely because of a bad door actuator.
When the blend door actuator of your car or truck is bad, it will cause the climate control to be stuck on one side and respond on the other side.
This will cause your car or truck to be cool on one side and warm or hot on the other side.
6. Blend door refusing to close or open
When the blend door actuator of your car refuses to close or open, it is a clear indication something is wrong somewhere.
Inspect your car to be sure there is no disconnection anywhere.
If you are sure all the connections to the blend door actuator are properly connected, then you are most likely dealing with a case of a bad blend door actuator.
7. Hard to regulate the temperature
When the blend door actuator of your car or truck is bad, you will find it hard to regulate the temperature.
Perhaps you want the temperature in your car to be warm, but because the blend door actuator is bad, you may not be able to close the door, which will leave the car cooler than intended.
8. The smell of something burning
Lastly, when the blend door actuator of your car is bad, anytime you switch on the AC system, you will perceive a smell of something burning.
Most likely, the burning smell you are perceiving is because the Silverado brake rotor in the actuator is burning.
Chevy Heater Blend Door Actuator Symptoms: Symptoms of Bad Blend Door Actuator
1. Defrost problem
One of the bad heater blend door actuator symptoms is when you are experiencing defrost problems.
Most car owners only know the heater blend door actuator is bad when they are having problems when defrost is turned on. Originally, when defrost is on, it should have an instant effect.
But when there is a blend door actuator problem, defrost takes longer. This can have a more adverse effect on the windscreen, especially when you are trying to defrost it.
If your windscreen remains foggy after a while, you are trying to defrost it; then you need to check your heater blend door actuator for fault.
2. Regulation problem
Another common problem you may experience to indicate there is something wrong with the heater blend door actuator is difficulty regulating the heater.
When you can’t regulate the heater, when air or defrost is turned on, it will pour out regardless of how high or low you regulate the dial.
This can be a problem as you wouldn’t be able to achieve the desired result you need.
Regulation problems with the heater blend door actuator can also cause temperature differences in dual control cars.
As such, the temperature quality or difference that comes out of the passenger’s and driver’s sides will be different.
3. Grinding or clicking noise
Lastly, take note if the heater blend door actuator is producing a grinding or clicking noise, then there is a huge chance that it has gone bad.
The grinding or clicking noise is caused by the blend door scraping against each other.
Most times, the noise may sound as though someone is knowing on your door, as it is that loud and noticeable.
Symptoms of a Bad Climate Control Module Chevy
In modern cars, AC systems are often sophisticated and equipped with an array of components and sensors.
The AC control module regulates and controls all the functions of the AC systems electronically. So, if you experience the following symptoms, it means the control module has begun to fail:
Uneven air distribution
When the climate control module is bad, the airflow won’t get to the correct vents. Hence, you will experience uneven air distribution.
Sometimes, this may be characterized by certain Silverado vents’ visors not blowing air as they should.
As such, when you notice that air is only blowing out of a certain vent or when you place it on certain settings, then you need to check the control module of the AC system.
Inconsistent cooling
Another symptom that tells you the AC control module is failing is when you start experiencing inconsistent cooling.
Any inconsistencies in the behavior can be attributed to a faulty module. So, if you are experiencing inconsistent cooling, it is a sign that there is a problem with the AC control module.
In addition, you may experience difficulty getting the cabin temperature to reach the desired degree or maintaining the correct temperature.
Outdated software updates
In your car, the AC control module is like the dedicated brain box. With time, the AC control module needs to be updated to get rid of common issues that may arise with time.
Because of how computer programs work, you may not notice an error with the control module software until later in the car’s service life.
As such, manufacturers of modern cars provide users with the ability to update the software of their cars to fix common bugs or problems.
Bad Blower Motor Symptoms Check them Out
A bad blower motor might not affect the operation of your car, but it will surely affect the comfort level.
When you notice any of the bad blower motor symptoms below, quickly reach out to your trusted mechanic to fix it.
1. Smoke or smells
In some cases, you may notice a smell or smoke burning while driving.
Having smoke in the car can be very discomforting, not to even mention that it can be hazardous to your health.
In such cases, you should pull over immediately to inspect the blower motor of the car.
There is a possibility that the motor of the blower is burnt or dying, and something else is burning.
But most times, smoke smelling in the cabinet is a result of a bad blower motor. So, the best thing to do is to check your car out before you continue driving it if you notice these issues.
2. Noises
Again, if you notice any unusual noise coming from the HVAC system of your car, it could be a result of a bad blower motor.
Most times, it could be that some foreign object got stuck in the engine compartment and got caught up in the blower motor fan. And if the blades are plastic, they can easily snap.
When this happens, you will notice a noise coming from behind the bent like a sudden pop or slapping sound flowing through the airflow.
Sometimes the sound may increase or get louder when you increase the fan speed.
3. Weak airflow
Another common sight that you are dealing with a bad blower motor is when you are experiencing weak airflow.
Generally, with time the motor fan wears and tears. In return, enough air wouldn’t go through the HVAC system as it once did.
In the end, this results in poor airflow through the vent that cools and heats the cabin.
Although several components can result in these problems, most times, they are caused by a bad blower.
But still, you must take your car to a professional mechanic for a proper check-up to be sure of the fault.
How to Test Blend Door Actuator Chevrolet
When your engine is not producing enough heat, you can test the Chevy blend door actuator to be sure it is working.
Below are steps you can take to test if the blend door actuator of your car is still functioning.
Step 1: Disconnect the battery
Since most blend door actuators make use of electrical motors to change the temperature and airflow, it is advisable to disconnect the battery first.
When the battery is out, you can then start working on the car to avoid short-circuiting or hurting yourself.
Step 2: Recalibrate your car
If you are experiencing difficulty changing the temperature of your car, a solution might be to perform a recalibration.
Moreover, if you have no idea how to recalibrate the actuator, you can take it to a mechanic.
You may be experiencing this difficulty because of a burnt blend actuator causing the heater to blow cold air.
Step 3: Check if the heater hoses are hot
To be sure of this diagnosis, check the heater hose to confirm if it is hot. After confirmation, you can fix it by replacing the actuator.
A new actuator usually comes with a manual, so it is fairly easy and something you can do in your home garage.
All you need to install a new actuator are your ¼ inches driver socket set and screwdrivers.
Step 4: Identify the actuator that controls the blend door
Take note; some actuators control the mode door and the blend door. So, while you install a new actuator, try to identify it by using the manual.
After installing it, check underneath the dashboard to find the actuator, as it is usually placed on the heater box.
Step 5: Switch between modes that watching the actuator
For this last step, you may need a second person to switch between temperature and modes in the car while you inspect the actuator.
While you switch between modes, if the actuator does not move, then it is most likely faulty.
FAQs about Bad Blend Door Actuator Symptoms
1. How to detect a bad actuator?
When the actuator of your car or truck is bad, there are several symptoms you can use to tell.
Most commonly, the actuator will not be able to keep a consistent temperature. Additionally, the actuator may produce smoke or smell, indicating the actuator is burning.
2. How can a blend door actuator be fixed?
If you are handy with tools, you can fix a blend door actuator yourself by simply replacing it. Replacing a bad blend door actuator starts at the dashboard.
Next, remove the door actuator, then the actuator itself. Rotate the pivot of the air door and then match it with that of the new actuator.
Fit in the new blend door, cover it, and you are all done.
3. What makes a blend door actuator go bad?
In a car AC system, the actuator’s blend door is connected to another door with gears which an electric motor rotates.
If for one reason or the other, the gear gets turned out or breaks, the actuator will be damaged.
4. Why does my truck blow cold when the heater is turned on?
Even though the heater on some cars is on, it may still blow cold air for several reasons. Commonly, it could be because of a stuck thermostat.
Sometimes it could be that coolant is not flowing through the heater core.
5. Why is my truck blowing cold air to the passage side and hot air to the driver’s side?
Sometimes, you may be experiencing dual temperature in your car because of a faulty blend door actuator.
Most times, it could be the fan in the actuator is not blowing as much air as it should.
Hence more air gets out the driver’s side because it is closer to the dashboard, and less out the passenger side because it is farther from the dashboard.
Conclusion
To sum things up, while cars are advancing, most common problems like overheating have become history.
However, today car owners still witness Chevy bad blend door actuator symptoms, which can be very inconvenient.
While it is a bit tough telling when a blend door actuator is bad, we have discoursed a few symptoms to look out for in this article.
Use them to tell when your Chevy blend door actuator is bad so you can fix it early before it develops into something else.