Easy DIY Nissan Armada Titan Actuator Knocking/Clicking FIX!

Why pay the stealership $600+ to fix something you can do yourself for $32? This actuator replacement took me about 3 hours to complete. This is my first attempt at a KZbin video, so I hope it turned out ok, and that you find it helpful.
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[@1975normal]

This video was to me the most simple that I have seen, and I like how you explained the mistakes you encountered, as well as the solutions you came up with so you don't have to take out the whole dash unit. I have a 2015 Nissan Titan Pro-4x(love it), but I like knowing that there are really cheap simple solutions to problems. Also your editing and highlighting specific parts was very useful, and appreciated. If you think about things before you just start taking things apart and throwing a lot of money at a problem, you can come up with an easy solution most of the time. Really, NISSAN should be made to recall and fix this problem, this type of part should not be wearing out/breaking.

[@MiPiMeRu]

Thanks for the kind words! I hope this helps people. You are so right, Nissan SHOULD do the right thing, and fix this issue...it’s horribly designed and I would hope that they have corrected this before they built your 2015 Titan. Good luck with it!

[@calebfortune]

I've only seen videos that go through this smoothly. This shit was funny as hell. Makes me feel fully prepared for any "oh shit"s I might encounter when I tackle this. You should really just do a whole series of Oh Shit repairs lol.

[@getsome4363]

Legend has it the screw that fell and was never found has won the hid-n-seek challenge in the nissan titan engineering dept in ogasaka japan....lol

[@ibiscar06]

Thank you bro, you saved my life and a few hundred dollars. Now I know how to fix my 05 armada

[@fabvan3209]

Hahaha one of the best educational videos I've seen lately, awesome.

[@kyletostenson4263]

Oh man this is awesome. 4.5 stars. I wish there were more bleeps throughout, then 5 stars for sure. This starts out like deadpan comedy. Extra screws extra brackets extra parts leftover? To hell with them lol

[@chopper703]

Excellent video! I have been dreading doing this and have been putting up with the woodpecker in my dash for over a year now. I just wish I had smaller hands and was a contortionist to be able to get under the dash as easily as you made it appear! Thanks for the video, it does help to know that it can be done!

[@spencererickson3722]

Awesome! Totally appreciate the difficult camera work involved, so thank you for this. A couple things I'm going to note for posterity if that's ok - I was able to bend that passenger-side brace that you removed enough to get to the difficult 9/32 bolt. I was going to rip it out like you did, but my non-bose amp is HEAVY, and would rattle around under there with every jostle. The flimsy removable bracket only needs one end to be rigid enough for the load, so I ended up cutting the bottom end off above the mounting holes, and only reinstalled the cut piece. I couldn't get the whole thing in there easily enough, but I was able to do that, and not lose the structural rigidity. Also, my actuator came with an indexed wheel, so I couldn't install the window piece incorrectly. It lined up anyway, so hooray! No matter what, this is a serious pain in the butt to do. Thanks again!

[@briangay5418]

Fantastic video. I'm doing mine on an 04 Titan SE without the Bose amp so I did not have to deal with removing that, just the large black control module. I ended up bending that one bracket enough to get it out of the way and had to remove the back plate behind the actuator like you did to put the white greasy plastic piece back on correctly, that took me some time lining it up with the cam as I did not have a helper like you but just need to finish bolting it up now. Thanks! You saved me at least $600.00!

[@MiPiMeRu]

Nice! Glad it helped you out. Good luck with it!

[@estelapena52]

Not looking forward to this job, but at least I have an idea now of the hardships to expect. Thanks

[@Ramakan]

Love this. I have the same problem on my ‘06 Infiniti QX56. I was dreading taking the whole dash board apart. Now I see where you don’t have to. Thank you so much.

[@MiPiMeRu]

If you end up doing this yourself let me know how it goes for you, or if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!

[@rossmiddleton5961]

That part should be free just for f****** being amazing. Everything on this vehicle is so difficult to work o I guess when you know what you're doing not so bad a f*** that

[@BoneMaNDOA]

Great video with funny parts too!!! Removing that bracket was right on!!! I used a screwdriver to hold the white plastic piece in place when i removed the actuator. This took me about 45 min complete from start to finish including my happy dance at the end. This save me over $600 and got me a couple of cool new toys.

[@beekaye1496]

Thanks for the most, it’s a lot of work for me.

[@MichaelSmith-js5wq]

Hey MiPiMeRu, thanks for the video. This was a great help and I'm glad to see others have the same kind of luck when it comes to these things. These tight spaces can make a priest swear! I wasn't sure if my actuator was the culprit or not, because I never heard a clicking noise. After the winter cold spells had fizzled and we had a few record breaking highs in my area, I tried to switch back to the forward facing dash vents but it would NOT move from defrost mode. No noises and no warning, it just quit switching. I thought maybe the door was stuck or something. Anyway when I found your video I knew this had to be the problem. I did like one of the commenters had said, and looked up under the dash and saw the white gear piece and tried moving it with my finger. I wouldn't move until I reached up with one hand and turned the setting dial to a new position while applying pressure with my finger to the gear with the other hand. Eureka!!! Instant change. Now, I know for sure that's the problem, so I'll have to search around and find the part at a good price like you did. One last note. I know this is a design flaw and the engineers who did this need a good kick in the balls, but I gotta say. I bought my 06 Titan brand new in early 2007 and I've not had any MAJOR problems out of it. I've got 185,000 miles on it and this just broke about a month ago so its been a pretty reliable truck for me. I have a friend that owns a newer model Ford F150 and he's had constant problems with his. Hell he even had a rusted out panel the side of the bed. So comparatively speaking, my truck has been better than others. Even my brother-in-law had more issues with his Dodge Ram 1500 (also newer than mine), so this Nissan has stacked up to the competition very well from what I've seen. No it's not perfect and yes there were some design flaws that needed to be addressed, but the BIG 3 don't have anything on it as far as I'm concerned. I'm looking at buying the XD Titan with the cummings diesel next. Just waiting till they get the kinks worked out like with any newly introduced models.

[@MiPiMeRu]

Michael Smith this is awesome, I’m glad it helped you out! You are right about these Nissans being incredibly reliable! I just wish they were easier to work on!

[@jamesunderwood9100]

Best fix on KZbin!!!! Wish I lived near you and we were friends...lol great job!!!!

[@reallyoldrookie433]

Is this the actuator for the temperature control or the vent control? Mine blows from every vent when you set it on the dash vents, but the temperature control is fine.

[@MarkFayard]

Is there any hack to just forcing the air go out dash/face vents only? Mine is only blowing out floor and defrost vents. I don't think i have ability to remove everything you did to replace it. But if there's a way to rig it to only go out dash vents, I'd appreciate any feedback or tips. Thank you.

[@h2opower]

Here's my take on doing jobs like these. Get the parts needed and have them remade out of good materials so that they actually last for the life of the car. Reason being is why go through all of this to only have to do it again like a year or two later? Plus you altered the car a little not knowing just what the effects of your alteration will cause in the future. With today's metal printing technology most of these cheap parts can be redone with the good stuff and the added weight of doing all of the actuators like that will be less than a 32 once of water siting in the car at all times, lol, big deal. I have been doing a lot of this to the cheap parts they give you to replace the cheap but better ones the car actually came with that failed. I guess I do these things because I'm engineer minded and know how to make things last that the manufactures are banking on making money on as time of ownership rolls by.

[@thereconsulting]

Thank you for the video - the tips were awesome and made replacement a breeze.

[@axclusiventerprise2090]

Thank you bro time saver because other vids i've seen whole dam dash and i kept saying it has to be a better way and then you appeared yuuuuppppp A++ in my book

[@drakeejohnson]

Great job, a lot of patience and good instructions

[@MiPiMeRu]

Thanks for the feedback! I just replaced the high pressure power steering hose assembly too....video on that coming soon! Thanks for watching!

[@inquisitivesoul8978]

My hat's off to you. I know that's not an easy job. Let alone to record it.

[@chronicjohn]

Great info vid! I'm getting weird cabin air flow where it wont blow to the feet - just cycles back to defrost and feet heat is super important here in Edmonton winters. My research shows four different actuators in the system. How did you know this is the one to replace?

[@MiPiMeRu]

Thanks Chad! I located the faulty actuator by just listening to the noise, but I could also feel the thing clicking behind the plastic. Then I just kinda figured out how to get to it. Hope this fixes your problem.

[@campusa8742]

Ugh. My 2006 Titan has the same actuator symptoms. Stuck on only blowing through the defrost vents no matter which mode you set it to. Dang it. Only 86k on the engine. Mint condition. Then this. 😡 Thanks for the video. Great job.

[@PLANETROCKSTAR]

My 2006 Titan has been doing this for the past 70k miles. Although I havent replaced it, if you look at the actuator from the bottom, you can see the white wheel to adjust where the air will blow from. When I need to change the air flow location I use my finger to push the white wheel to change from defrost/front/feet etc. Inconvenient but I'm not handy changing out that sort of stuff 👌

[@MichaelSmith-js5wq]

@@PLANETROCKSTAR After reading that you had moved yours with your finger, I thought I'd give it a try to see if I could move mine. What do ya know, it moved for me when I changed the knob setting. I guess that will have to do for now, I just needed to temporarily change it because of the crazy weather swing we had. I'll actually fix it once I check around for the best price for the part.

[@Kalani_938]

Our armada was making a loud knocking noise coming from the middle/right side of the dash. The heat blend door would make the heat/cold fluctuate sometimes. Well last week the knocking stopped and now it’s stuck on cold so I’m assuming the heat blend door actuator went out completely? The heat works in the rear of the vehicle just fine. It’s dual control but it both sides won’t blow heat anymore. Is the heat door actuator the one that’s way in the dash behind the glovebox?

[@MiPiMeRu]

From what I've read the actuator behind the glove box does control the hot/cold output. It also seems to be the easiest actuator to get to, and so far as I know, all the actuators are the same model/part number. Hope this fixes your problem. Good luck!

[@Thatdudewithatie]

Same problem Robert. Had the clicking for a year now it's stuck on cold. Still clicks tho, I'll check the back heater see if it works !

[@franksfunfarm]

This will be the 4th time changing this part. Thank you Nissan for designing it to fail.

[@MichaelSmith-js5wq]

Nissan isn't the only company to make stuff like this. It almost seems like all these manufactures are building in job security/profit opportunities. It's crap I agree!! However, it's the modern market we live in and a reality of life unfortunately.

[@RUZTY1311]

Curious, did you buy OEM actuators everytime?

[@franksfunfarm]

@@RUZTY1311 The first 3 were non-OEM (AutoZone, eBay, etc.) - the 4th one is OEM. It's been working good so far.

[@RUZTY1311]

@@franksfunfarm I wonder what makes em fail then lol

[@franksfunfarm]

@@RUZTY1311 cheap plastic -

[@jalee6587]

Just FYI none of those bolts are standard. It's all metric. Either 10mm 12mm or 8mm.

[@alekscarguy5153]

Thanks for the Video my friend quick question do you know if it’s the exactly the same process for a 2008 Infiniti qx56? It does a tapping noice when i turn the heater on and it works but it come right out from the same spot....?Let me know, thank you.

[@MiPiMeRu]

As far as I know the parts and process should be the same between an Armada or QX56. Be advised however, my video only shows how to replace one of the actuators. According to the dealer there are 3 actuators. There's one that is fairly easy access behind/under the glove box. The 3rd actuator, I'm told, is buried inside the dash, very difficult to access. If you can touch the easy actuators, while the tapping noise is happening, you should be able to tell which actuator the noise is coming from. Good luck my friend!

[@User-nn5wu]

Thanks for the part number I almost bought the wrong one

[@user-ok1fh8py9l]

I have a 2010 Nissan Armada. My problem is the air conditioner on the one hand, the driver is hot and on the one hand the passenger is cold, please help

[@bomirchev3663]

Did you find a solution?

[@carolwilkes9697]

Yea. I know the feeling. It's the 4th time on the left side and 2nd time on the right side that I've had to change the actuator, What's going with the quality at Nissan. I'm on my 4th and LAST Nissan

[@RUZTY1311]

Did you buy OEM parts or aftermarket?

[@MrPaknight]

My 2006 se didnt have this bose system and i didnt have to remove anything. I had room to use my rachet.

[@luisbrito1686]

Your funny dude Good video, like all your describing detail

[@sms9106]

Nice write up

[@xChromerSatanasx]

Anytime you have to work under dash it's a nightmare , imagine changing the heater core haha

[@random_thought]

So where / which would be the door... my qx56 has heat on driver side but only cold air on passerger.. would that be actuators ??

[@djfonz2409]

Random Thought I have this issue as well. Any advice?

[@polkmammoth1]

Great video! Question, is it necessary to remove the black plate holding the white gear in place? Just to clarify I’m talking about the plate that sits behind the actual actuator.

[@tiffanybrink627]

polkmammoth1 my white plate just came out and I was trying to pull the actuator so how do I put the white plate back in?

[@polkmammoth1]

By "White Plate" do you mean the actual gear?

[@polkmammoth1]

BTW, Sorry for the late, late response.

[@polkmammoth1]

Tiffany Brink- if your referring to the white gear that actually moves I just put it in the defrost position before removal cause it was easier for me to eye ball that position once it was out. Then I just held the Actuator in place while my daughter went through the settings to make sure everything was correct.

[@jimbobvail]

I tried this and it took me 2 hrs just to get the actuator loose and then the wire comes in from the top. There was no way I could get in there to remove the plug. I’m tearing into the dash

[@MrPaknight]

Once you remove the screws you can pull it down and unplug it. The harness allows for that.

[@mikegeer5185]

Good job man. My turn...lol.

[@jordanhallerbach361]

i have an armada, and my question is, what harm is the noise. Can i just learn to live with it and move on?

[@MiPiMeRu]

Honestly, there probably isn't any harm with the noise...however, depending on which one of the 3 actuators is clicking it can effect the functionality of your HVAC system. If it's the temp control actuator (located behind the glovebox I think) it can cause your system to blow the OPPOSITE of what temperature you select. If your system is working fine and responds to the controls correctly, then there isn't really any need to fix it...as long as you're cool with the clicking.

[@getrbentracinnewbeginnings4291]

I belive the clicking could increase in length of time before it stops....eventually maybe running battery low causing a no start....i just purchased a 2005 titian....and now aware of this clicking...it does stop...and i have my heater set to full.warm....and defrost only. No touch my settings I tell the wife lol leave it were it is.....defrost is most important :) up here in ontario canada ... :)

[@diamondgee4991]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@johnminninger3929]

You need to add more light when you work on things.

[@joedoey6824]

Yep. Those harness clips get old and stiff. A pain in the butt.

[@amyhazelvang7198]

Fuc'kin awesome video

[@user-ok1fh8py9l]

hi

[@stevemetz981]

"Easy" LOL

[@nickfontenot5716]

Job blue t

[@Rawflcounsel76]

i just did this myself, took me 2 or 3 hours, BUT the other one that changes from hot to cold and back and forth IS ALSO doing this crap, and that is going to be A BITCH!!

[@MiPiMeRu]

Rawflcounsel76, yeah the temperature actuator is what I had the dealer do years ago for $700. I think it can be DIY by going thru/under the glove box....maybe. If you end up doing that yourself, you should totally post it to KZbin! Good luck!

[@jthamm8362]

easy? lol