2012 Dodge Challenger Blend Door Actuator Diagnosis and Replacement

[@nicolesmith3944]

Came back to say I have never done any repair on a car. Ever. I JUST learned how to check all the fluids. Watched this video and was able to replace all 3 actuators in my 2010 challenger. I'm currently sitting in victorious AC . Thank you!!

[@jackhfletcher]

That’s amazing! I’m so glad you found the video helpful. Keep learning!

[@chillrell710]

can i get some advice

[@HotRollBrad]

Great video! It’s 10 degrees F outside today and I’ll probably have to wait a while to get at it but thanks!

[@Killacole615]

Couldn’t have asked for a better detailed video! Thank you man

[@shelleywilliams7174]

Thank you for the instructions.. took me three hours but both are out. 2011 has three screws holding them in sadly. Bending your body like a pretzel very accurate.

[@Vekurus]

So awesome to see a video for this. Mine has been doing the click for awhile. If it clicks, I can use the AC. If it doesn't click, It get only hot air. SOOO glad to see I don't have to take out the dash.

[@jackhfletcher]

Thank you! Yeah, on many cars you do have to pull out the whole dash but thankfully on these Challengers it’s a much easier job.

[@arturoortiz5102]

My 2012 challenger just started making this noise as well! Thank you for the video! 🙏🏼

[@jackhfletcher]

Hey no problem! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@trevonwood2201]

My 2012 SRT8 Challenger just started doing this I’m about to crawl under the dash and figure out which actuator it is, thank you for the help brother!🤙🏽

[@jackhfletcher]

You’re welcome!

[@renecintronjr.2262]

Been looking for a video to find out what the heck is making that noise on my 2011 Challenger, and also, it got stuck on heat. So, I capped off the hose going in the car. I'm in Florida, so I don't need heat. I'm still hearing that awful stupid noise at times. So I'm sure it's exactly what you're fixing. Thank you for a great video.

[@jackhfletcher]

Thanks for the comment! I’m glad you found the video helpful. I’d be willing to bet money that you’ve got the same issue as the car in this video!

[@jr7392]

Some notes that may help those embarking on this wonderful journey under the dash. Access is very restricted. You'll need a 1/4" drive ratchet wrench to fit, but it'l still be tight. In a pinch, you can use a 7/64" allen wrench to keep it moving once you break it loose, they're not in super tight. He said use T20, but mine were T15, just have both handy. Mine only had two screws in each, a post was in place of the third screw. A trim removal tool is also helpful but it can be done w/o it, just be careful. He mentions the heater core. That's a very good idea...wait until the car is cool to work on it, unless you like burning your hand. The actuators have index marks on the back. Make sure these are lined up before installation. They should be from the factory, just make sure in case you decide to take it apart, which is easy to do (see below). The factory actuators are hot garbage. The clicking you're hearing is because the inner reduction gear fits very tightly over the plastic shaft cast into the case and barely turns. This puts a lot of force on everything. The shaft will snap and the motor just moves the gear sideways instead of turning it and it snaps back into place with every tooth passed, making the clicking sound. I had to replace a battery and that's where it all went wrong as it was out of spec due to the broken actuator but still worked. Replacing the battery made it go through the full calibration and so it never would, leading to the blinking defrost light until everything was fixed. I replaced the passenger side clicker problem, but it still wouldn't calibrate. Could hear a slight buzzing sound from driver side, coming from the upper actuator. Pulled that one out and disassembled and the same gear had a couple of teeth chewed off for the same reason. Managed to salvage the good gear from the clicking unit, drilled out the gear 0.002" oversize so it moves freely, reassembled (making sure index marks aligned) and put it back, now it works and calibrates so in the end only had to buy one new replacement. Lastly, I too have the dash bulging issue. I suspect Dodge never gave any thought to hot climates. The plastic vent does not have enough grip to hold the pad in place, so I would bet sitting in the hot sun expanded the foam, softened the glue and since something has to give, it pops out of the dash. Doesn't help those of us with the problem, but if you don't have it yet, use a sunshade and try to keep it from getting super hot in there. I'll pull the vent and replace the glue at some point but right now just happy the HVAC is working again!

[@Colt_HoustonSouth]

I got a 2011 here and it just started doing this, thank you for the video showing how to get to them and explaining which dials controlled them individually. I didn’t know how to diagnose, and mine is intermittent not constant so I wasn’t sure of how to go about it. I was thinking that the dash had to be removed.

[@CoolGuy-xt3kc]

This video was exactly what I needed. I now have AC again and I feel victorious🤌

[@Toxichemi345]

Best video I seen in a long time

[@willmarmarroquin4899]

I have a 2011 rt challenger same sound and same problem with the dash coming apart from the vents

[@jessicamckee8099]

Great video! Thank you for the clear information

[@DarnizzleMan]

Your a lifesaver they tried to charge me over 1k to do this

[@randall7x245]

I thought this was my car for a second, i have the same clicking noise and the rubber part on top of the vents is also popped out😅

[@brianragle7753]

my dash is coming away there as well. I'd love to know how to fix it. SMH

[@adanrodriguez1284]

Mine has it like that as well lmfao thinking of swapping all the interior

[@robinhoward8885]

Mine is the same way lol

[@prodaintfro1294]

@@brianragle7753heavy duty glue and pressure

[@Risk0451]

Mine too 😂😂😂

[@TPear-i7s]

Thank you for this video! It was very helpful. I got the bad one out and new one connected, but I am having trouble getting it back in place to attach the screws, any suggestions?

[@adsbadsb9488]

Jack great video. My 2013 Challenger, have AC, but no heat at all. No clicking noises, HVAC used to flash at start up but have stopped. I figure that top drivers actuator. My neighbour got B11CC-00 & B105C-00 codes on his scan. I wondered if this happened during alternator recall or passenger air bag recall fixes? As I believe battery likely unhooked at those two fix dates. Any ideas....I am freezing. Thanks

[@YankeesReign]

This was an excellent video. Thank you

[@lloelsanchez246]

Great video thank you helped a lot

[@ZackWalsh-f2v]

My 2012 only makes the noise when the car first starts. What does that mean?

[@DoinkSlots]

Nice DIY Jack!

[@chillrell710]

after you determine which actutor it is should the a/c worl

[@titan9m]

Thank you for this video! 👍👍

[@debbiebayles2201]

I have a 2012 Dodge Challenger SXT that a slow knock sound comes from the dash (around the RPM & Temp gauge) soon as I open the door before starting car. I watched your video & many others that say it's the Actuator from the AC. But the sound coming from my dash isn't a rapid clicking, just a funny knock several time without the AC on. It knocked today several times when I was traveling with the AC on. When I turn engine off it knocks again but not a fast clicking. Could this still be the Artuator or someting else? Thank you very much for all your help!!

[@jr7392]

It's the actuator, just a different internal part broken can make different noises. They're very poorly made and internal components break due to the strain.

[@jerryhenson3916]

I'm about to tackle this on my '10 SRT8. Wish me luck, haha!

[@KevinPeres]

have the same problem and the dang lifted dash above the vent....

[@brianragle7753]

Same. When do we riot? lol

[@KevinPeres]

@@brianragle7753 Attica Attica ! Lol

[@Mr92337]

You mentioned 2 screws is that correct? I have the same actuator for 2015 Challenger. Very difficult to get to.

[@tye0125]

does the clicking noise kill your battery

[@jantzenfeaster8845]

Would this make the ac blown light cold..

[@LeoHerrera-s4j]

You only showed 2 actuators. Where is the 3rd located?

[@cherencueca7]

The third one is located passenger side under the glove box and thats for the air vents mode hope it helps.

[@carma01ss]

So I change it and got hot air but when I put it to cold it’s still hot?

[@Dcha138]

Thanx for the vid!

[@cheshire_skatkat9093]

My challenger is set up just like this one Its a 2014. My defrost light will blink a bit when I start.car.

[@jr7392]

It's trying to calibrate the system but since one or more actuators isn't working, it will never calibrate. The car will go through two calibration cycles and then give up, leaving you with no climate control. Try and listen and see if you can hear which one(s) are bad. Replace those and you should be good to go.

[@FUNKYMONKEY1235.]

thank you for this

[@felipemedrano5264]

Did the replacement come with instructions to synchronize it using a scanner? Mine did. I have not turned on my hvac system. Im afraid it wont work in sync with the other actuators

[@jackhfletcher]

You don’t need to do that on this car.

[@swissarmywife2039]

Any update on your repair?

[@swissarmywife2039]

@@InvictaWatchGuy thank you so much I will definitely try this. I appreciate your response

[@stevenphelps1072]

My 2012 challenger doesn't click mine will not blow hot air and I have to mess with the knob to get it to work and now it's not really working any more, so I'm going tontry replacing that one that controls the heat and cold

[@jackhfletcher]

Yeah, more than likely that’s the problem.

[@MichaelSmith-oo4cy]

Don't you have to calibrate it after the new actuator is in place? Can you do that without a scan tool?

[@jr7392]

Should do it automatically, as long as all the actuators are working and indexed properly.

[@donniecarrascosr.9912]

Thank you Kindly Bro.

[@simonesquivel1078]

Good video thanks

[@royaltystatusdaprinceofdas189]

Coukd that eventually cause it to run hot?

[@jackhfletcher]

No. A bad blend door won’t cause the engine to overheat.

[@angelcedeno26]

Are those 2 actuators the exact same one and same part number?

[@jackhfletcher]

Yes, same part number.

[@chasegarner4674]

Mine does this, but also the ac takes about 30 seconds to a minutes to actually come on

[@chasegarner4674]

Clicking is slower too. It might be the one thats harder to get 😮‍💨

[@DarthRaider]

Where do I get the replacement part?

[@jackhfletcher]

Most auto parts stores will have it (O’Reillys, Autozone, etc) Or you could get it from the dealer if you want an original factory part.

[@lordpercocet7939]

How long did it take you to replace it.

[@jackhfletcher]

Maybe 20 or 30 minutes.

[@RNmike96]

2011 dodge charger same issue

[@Grey2zzMRS]

Replaced one on my 2012 charger and was fine for a bit but started doing the same thing again any suggestions?

[@jackhfletcher]

The new part is probably bad. Just make sure it’s the same one making the noise.

[@Alex-xf7dg]

I've replaced the same one in my 2012 Charger at least 4 times. Whoever designed this is an idiot.

[@LeoHerrera-s4j]

You only showed 2 actuators. Where is the 3rd located?

[@jackhfletcher]

The third is for the recirculation door and it’s on the passenger side.