How to Replace a Blend Door Actuator Chevy Impala

[@myuhhh1276]

i’ve never worked anything on a car and this video helped a lot. 3 of mine are out but i only had 1 so i did the left on passenger side for now, way easier than i thought it’d be. used my camera w flash on to help see.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Glad it helped!

[@Jalzer716]

You helped me change my actuator on the left side of the glove box. Thank you! Luckily the white thing was already was in the right direction. I had to go buy a short 180 degree moveable head 1/4 ratchet drive to get the screw that was behind a corner. I was ELATED when the clicking was gone. I’ve never done anything before so that shows how simple it is. I also unscrewed and removed the inside black panel/storage of the glove box to have more room. I did not disconnect the battery but I had the car off. I know I read that it still feeds power to it and that’s why it wears on the battery if it’s clicking. I wouldn’t advise anyone doing it that way because you’re supposed to disconnect it. Thank you again!

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@brianszanyi5538]

Thank you Jordan like I said it's not that difficult of a job I found out that wrapping the screw on the extension keep you won't lose the screw electric tape when you get it started you can just take the tape off and then continue with the ratchet I will disconnect the battery I have one that's bad right now on my the one you changed out I'm going to disconnect the BET put the passenger put the heat controls in the bottom and then set it put the blower motor in off and disconnect the battery these things they calibrate themself

[@brianszanyi5538]

I wrapped the screw put a little electric tape on it to the extension it worked great wouldn't didn't want to drop the screw God bless you for this video and thank you

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@ar15sniper61]

Thank you for the help alot of people on youtube were saying to run wires from the battery and put them on the actuator to make it turn into place but you just showed us that we can actualy manualy turn the little white nob thank you

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome. Glad it helped!

[@TheAutoTeacher]

@Thunderbolt Nobody sells just the gear, you have to buy the whole actuator. I personally have never seen a blend door fail. I’m sure it’s possible, but I’ve never experienced that and I’ve done many. It wasn’t one of GM’s better designs making the gears out of plastic.

[@thepr1met1meang3l7]

On the actuator the problem is usually its plastic gears being stripped or broken. But if you need to turn the white part on the actuator be very careful you'll strip it yourself. You can turn the car on and turn the ac on then just hold the actuator, slot the white part onto the blend door and use it to turn the actuator I wouldnt do it by hand

[@thepr1met1meang3l7]

Well I said white piece on the actuator but I guess it can be black too I've only ever seen ones with white receptor parts but yea

[@313Orlando]

I took the glove department off alongside bottom clips and its fixed! Thanks.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@XMAN4708]

Great Video! I have a 2011 Malibu making the exact same sound, the mechanics at my store said Blend Door is stuck. I noticed that every time I press recirculating air button it stops making the noise. Can you just simply press the recirculating air button to silence it and it will cause no harm at all? As opposed to replacing it?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Thank you, as long as you're getting the temp that you desire in your vehicle and the clicking noise isn't driving you crazy you can drive it as long as you like without hurting anything.

[@johnandrews2167]

I am sure my faulty actuator is on the drivers side. Do you have or can you do a video for the replacement of that one please?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Sorry, we don't have a video on the driver side actuator, and I don't see one scheduled in the near future.

[@wtf3494]

I had a question man i swapped the one on the left side and I noticed the one you fixed on this video actually clicks also. But my main question is that when I swapped the one on the left side of the glove box, my ac doesn't blow cold anymore. Did I do something wrong? Or will I have to get the other one fixed to get cold air.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

If it’s clicking then you should replace the other one as well. That should fix the cold air problem.

[@wtf3494]

@@TheAutoTeacher ohh okay man thank you!

[@brianszanyi5538]

Set the controls WTF in the cold position you have to disconnect the battery take that off turn that keyway to the position of that actuator that door should be closed when you install these that's the fresh air these things will calibrate themselves when you adjust it for heat or when you turn it back to air conditioning so start from scratch from that one on the right that's your control one you can do this

[@rpruneau68]

The actuator on the Left-Hand Side (LHS) of the passenger side controls the passenger temperature blend door. You need to verify the installation was correct by moving the temperature between hot/cold on passenger side and either feeling the difference in air or listening for the door operation. Visually check to see if it is moving or place your hand on it while commanding its operation to feel that it is active. The actuator on the Right-Hand Side (RHS) of the drivers side controls the drivers temperature blend door. The actuator on Right-Hand Side (RHS) of passenger side controls the recirculation air door. This door allows fresh air to flow in from outside or allows recirculation of inside air which is the one changed in this video.

[@thepr1met1meang3l7]

@@wtf3494 yep, the rightmost actuator is the circulation actuator in these cars as far as I know so that should definitely fix the no ac

[@nvandorn0510]

Great video, what is the size of the 2 bolts holding in the accuator? I accidently dropped them during the install.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Sorry, I’m not sure about that. You could check with the dealer. They should be able to tell you.

[@RandyMoss3]

😭

[@PC1787]

same here!, did anyone find out what size screws!?

[@richardchristian2183]

Are all the actuators the same on the passenger side even if it’s in a different location?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Not sure, I just replace the one that has failed and make sure that I get the proper part with the proper number at that time.

[@MrDonaldwalker]

I just changed one and the new one clicks 🤔 is it possible to get a defective one?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Yes it happens, I've had a few!

[@mooseydeucy]

Is this really needed or can we just bypass it who needs this thing if you don't use your air conditioning?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

If it’s your dual climate control actuator that has failed, your temperature will be stuck on one setting with no ability to adjust up or down, which could cause you problems in the colder months! So it’s probably a good idea to get it fixed but not essential .

[@rpruneau68]

if the actuator is just clicking but still functioning properly; you may be able to get it to the location you want it to remain; i.e. hot or cold / outside or recirc; then remove the electrical plug. I have done that with recirc door since we want it closed in summer to recirc cool inside air.

[@christopherhenery182]

Thank you kindly!

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@KDaynes43]

When I had oil changed at a Chevy dealership, they showed me the filters from cabin & air filter. A mouse had made quiet a mess with the filters, after they was finished is when the helicopter noise started. I have video of my Impala 2011 starts making the noise and it's not even running.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

It sounds like one of your blend door actuators is broken, this can even continue when the vehicle has been shut off.

[@rpruneau68]

That is coincidence. One has no bearing over the other.

[@semihyilmaz4699]

After the replacement, does the new part need calibration?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

no

[@GameTesterDev]

Does the 2014-2016 limited models have this problem?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

I’d like to think they fixed it, but I’m not sure

[@GameTesterDev]

@@TheAutoTeacher I would hope so. I was just asking because they're the exact same body style as the 9th Generation but with the Parts of the 10th generation.

[@tartar2324]

@@GameTesterDev yep I’m having the same problem with my 2016 limited version

[@davidcovington1046]

Yes I'm having the same problems with my 2016 limited lt

[@rpruneau68]

Very common problem with Impala's due to cheap plastic design of motor gears. Fortunately they are cheap and relatively easy to replace.

[@eduardopena6280]

Thanks for the video

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@delaceybrown9538]

The one on the right side I assumed was the issue. It changes door from inlet air to recycled air, but for some reason I can’t set it to the correct position, tried both ways open and closed…when I have it on inlet, and then switch to recycle with the button, the clicking comes back after it switches….start the vent on recycle abdvthe clicking is there

[@TheAutoTeacher]

That year Chevy Impala had four blend doors, and sometimes it's hard to determine where the clicking is coming from. If it seems to be on the passenger side, you're going to want to remove the glove box and actually reach in there with your hand so you can feel which actuator is clicking so you replace the correct one .

[@mkepler5861]

thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You're welcome!

[@marcuslavergne2577]

Whats the part number to the specific actuator that was replaced in this video?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

I’m not sure. I’ve worked on many cars since this video was posted. I believe I got it on Amazon. Just put the make and model of the car and it will tell you if it’s a fit.

[@Jalzer716]

I just removed mine and took it into autozone and compared. I ended up finding the right one there. It was hard to try to find out which one because they’re all called blend doors and all kind of look the same.

[@rpruneau68]

Just do a google search for a temperature blend door actuator for your year and make of vehicle. They sell (2) in a kit for some foreign made brands or you can purchase an OEM AC Delco for same cost as the two.

[@kbenner3570]

can u put the actuator on that white male stem wrong ,like if its turned wrong when u start

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You should be able to turn the white stem to the proper position to allow you to install your actuator. I don’t think it’s possible to put the actuator on wrong because you wouldn’t be able to start the two 5.5 bolts .Make sure that you turn the white stem and not the actuator. If you try moving the new actuator it’s possible you could break it

[@EvelynCharter]

I have a 2010 Chevy Impala, would it be done the same as in your video?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

yes

[@leslieboyd7815]

Thank u‼️‼️‼️very helpful

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You’re welcome!

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You don't have to calibrate them. Where are you buying the part? If you're trying to take a cheaper route and it keeps breaking, it may be best to go with the one from the dealer or one that has a warranty.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

I’ve never had a blend door stick or fail, but I have had actuators that I purchased from Advance fail. Maybe they just got a bad batch of actuators. I would try buying the part directly from the dealership this time.

[@billhawkins6959]

I"m about to replace my 3rd one. It's a real pain.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Agreed, definitely not one of the better designs.

[@gphilipc2031]

Shame on GM for the rate of failure on those actuators. The driver side on my 2013 LTZ Impala failed and just a few weeks ago the passenger side failed. Now I need to break out the wallet.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Agreed, definitely not one of the better designs.

[@JLE1177]

If it dosnt click could the bda still be the problem?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

What problem are you experiencing?

[@JLE1177]

@@TheAutoTeacher no heat at all under any conditions. I thought maybe the main door was stuck on cold but i don’t hear any clicking or abnormal sounds. I have two hot lines in and out the heater core.

[@TheAutoTeacher]

First check to see if the coolant is where it needs to be. Is your temperature gauge reading normal or is it lower?

[@JLE1177]

@@TheAutoTeacher it was reading one mark above normal I added coolant and now it sits right at normal but no heat still

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Does your vehicle have temp controls for both passenger and driver? If you’re getting heat on the passenger side, even though it’s not clicking it could have still burned out.

[@xman_avd]

What is the name of the actuator on the left?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

I believe you’re talking about the mode door actuator

[@alltimeballin9796]

Where did u get the smaller blue ratchet

[@TheAutoTeacher]

You can see the tools we used in the video description!

[@thepr1met1meang3l7]

Does anyone know a quick fix for this?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

None that I'm aware of.

[@hmayor3745]

Drivers side?

[@TheAutoTeacher]

Yes there is one on the driver side. Unfortunately I do not have a video at this time. It's harder to do and definitely harder to videotape as you're doing it.

[@biglion6229]

wow i wish it was that easy as the video seemed it not that easy i done same exact thing to mines and if you have big hands its barely room to hold tool on screw and turn without it keeps drop out your had several times the top screw is the hardest to get and to reinstall is pain in the a... also

[@TheAutoTeacher]

It's not easy, but with the proper tools and the more you do it, the easier it is.

[@biglion6229]

@@TheAutoTeacher yea actually i use my cordless ratchet to help the screw stay in place because it keeps falling out and its pain in the a.. to get in especially the top screw no room for big hands