Nissan Heater / A/C Blend Door Replacement Without Removing Dash

Yes, it can be done. I changed the heater / A/C blend door in a Nissan Titan, removing only the glove box. This job would require removing the dash at the dealer and costs over $1,000. I did it in under 2 hours for $30. Symptoms of a bad blend door are clicking or no heat.
Update: DO NOT USE Dorman 604-970. Use the factory part 27743-ZP00A or you'll be changing it again in a few years!
For no heat conditions: first check the temperature of the heater core hoses. Before removing the old actuator- unplug the wire, plug it into the new actuator, and make sure it moves when changing the temp dial. If not, your problem is in the front panel. Be sure to re-align the marks, and don't plug it again until installed.

[@mohodisco]

Update: I did it! Replaced my blend door actuator successfully thanks to your video. Thank you for putting it up to help others out!

[@dominiclilly978]

Got to finish it up this weekend and its done! Couple of things that helped me were cutting the finger ends off the rubber glovers so I could feel and buying a flex head ratcheting 5.5mm wrench (totally worth it). Everything came out pretty easy but putting the cam plate back on the levers took lots of patience and videos with my phone to get a visual of what was going on in there. What really helped with putting the actuator in was a flashlight inserted to the right and lighting up the area in the back, then you can peak through the right of the heating core box and see the pivot point which the gears fit into. I rotated the cam plate all the way counter clockwise so I wouldn't knock it when going in with the actuator and could see the hole I was aiming for. If your gears are in the wrong orientation plug in the actuator, turn on power and unplug when you have it in the right spot. This took about 3 or 4 tries before it fit in correctly. This whole process I had to use just my left arm and the hardest thing for me was putting the screws back in the holes. Bottom left no problem top left and right my arm would not fit in far enough. Solution 12 year old son , not kidding he had both in and screwed down in a bout 5 minutes. Plugging actuator in was ok and the only time I used my right arm, come in from the right and its about the only thing you can reach from that side. Thanks to all for the info, saved me a bunch of money!

[@mikemichaelwalters]

Thanks for the guide. I have done 3 of these without removing the plate under the actuator. Made a socket to do it similar to what you did, used mirrors to see, magnets for screws, etc. Also found it useful to remove radio to see better. I bought kevlar sleeves to wear to do them, helps big time. FYI if you have thick wrists or big forearms forget it, you physically will never get your arm in far enough. Thanks again for tips!!

[@TheSurfer446]

Bruised forearms and 2 hrs later... Blend door fixed! Thanks for the write up. Was able to order a few tools and have them ready thanks to your video. 👍

[@tonypapa7620]

Didn’t have to run the ac for 5 but as soon as I turned it to 90 and then back down it worked! Unreal. Thanks for posting

[@cjresener]

Man, thanks so much for taking the time to post this video. Takes a tonne of patience and small hands but is do-able. I have a 2010 Nissan Armada Platinum which is basically the same as the Titan. Symptoms were initially the sound of a woodpecker when the heat was running, then eventually the woodpecker disappeared but I had nothing but hot air blowing out of the driver side vents no matter what the climate control was set at. As of today, the updated part number is 27743-ZP00A. I found a 7/32 or 5.5mm ratcheting wrench is very helpful in addition to small ratchet and socket of the same size. I also needed a magnet as I dropped screws a couple of times trying to get them back in. I mounted the new actuator and then tried plugging the wires back in which was very hard so might be easier plugging in wires before stuffing the new actuator back there and mounting.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

Cool. One guy pointed out that a plastic housing can also be removed which makes a bit easier.

[@PJ-ee5mc]

@@alouiciousjackson5812 Can you tell us what plastic housing he was referring to for removal? As you know every tiny bit of room helps. By the way; I got great wifi borescope camera (long snake-like cable with a camera on the end with led lights) from Amazon for $31. I can't imagine doing this job without. My hands are way to big so with this I can monitor and instruct my wife as she does it for me, with her pretty little hands :)

[@melvinyoung1122]

So your issue was on the driver side? Once you changed it you were good to go?

[@learning_the_outdoors]

I just replaced mine on my 2011 Titan. Was just like you explained. Thank you so much for making the video. My issue is the truck would only blow hot air because this actuator wouldn't turn. $40 at the dealership for a new one and now I have cold air again.

[@michaelmonell9601]

I did mine a couple of years ago using the same technique. Like hell I'm going to take my out dash out!!! It's not that bad. It will cut you up, but I can deal with that for a thousand dollars. Used my phone for photos and videos. It's all by feel. Take your time, and don't get frustrated. I now think Nissan is charging a grand plus and doing it this way.

[@msburrage74]

Man I just wanted to say thanks for the video! I successfully changed my blend door actuator. It was an absolute pain but I got it done and got that little tool you suggested. One thing I also did was take the radio out and that helped me see the part better. But it didn’t help me access it at all. Thanks again!

[@darrinholst]

I’ll second taking the radio out. It helped with reassembly to see just a little more of what was going on up there.

[@savagejammer]

Just got done doing mine, thank God! Was a pain in the ass, but your video helped me save $250

[@Inks505]

I dont know how to say it right now cuz I've have a few dranks...and idk why i looked this shit up right now @ almost 1 in da morn but hot dam you got the mirror, the light and the video at the same dam time when you got the actuator in place in the dark!...All i can say is thank you

[@therdgenrx7]

Thanks alot for this video. I've been putting it off thinking I would have to rip the dash out. Shredded wrists and hands but the job wasnt bad at all. Tricky getting the screws back in. Smaller hands and thinner wrist would have been great.......thanks again

[@XavierIhrig]

If you use a t20 torx low profile wrench (like the carlyle SDSLPH5) you can use that on the really hard to get screw. Also helped to have the battery disconnected after aligning the actuator shaft so it didn't move unexpectedly

[@fuzzyfish80549]

Gotta tell ya, you should have mentioned it was a 2004 model. It's pretty unlikely it is relevant for working on my 2015. Nevertheless, it was good to see you doing it without taking the dash apart.

[@darrinholst]

Thanks for the video. Just finished mine. $35 part from the dealer and lots of layers of skin ripped from my forearms, but got it done in a few hours total. Removing the radio and screen doesn’t help with access, but it does let you see a little more and it’s pretty simple to take out. I never could get the front left screw started so hopefully it stays put with two. Unbelievably tight space to work in, but it is possible.

[@colbycarroll7746]

Hey man, did two hold it? I’m thinking of doing mine myself and was thinking of leaving the third, harder to reach screw off in case it went out again. Would save me the headache of dealing with that screw again if so.

[@darrinholst]

@@colbycarroll7746 yeah, it's still holding

[@mommabear8260]

Ordered one and going to try it myself! I refuse to pay $1,000.

[@mohodisco]

The black box that you take the cover off of? If you unscrew the fastener on the white block to the left of it (you can see it in your video) and push that out of the way, you can basically fit both your hands up in there. Helpful if you don't want to drop and lose your tools. It also helps a lot to unplug the electrical connector to the right of the black box. None of this likely matters for small hands, but is a huge improvement if you have big hands.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

Very cool. The black box I was speaking of is actually that box with the white block on it. I had no idea that it would move but will try it next time.

[@dominiclilly978]

Did you have to cycle your actuator to get the gears in the right place to fit in the cam plate? Also once on the levers did the cam plate work better in a certain position?

[@MrPaknight]

I saved alot of money doing it myself!

[@msburrage74]

So mine broke again just after a year. Urg! So I think the reason why is because when I put the new one in the plastic gear wasn’t set in the correct position and when I was switching from cool to heat it was putting stress in the gear. This time like you there was no clicking sound like before. It just completely broke off. So I’m gonna make sure the gear is all the way on heat and that the actuator is turned all the way to the right. I am hoping this will solve the problem. I have it half way in at the moment and will have to take it back off in order to do this. 🤬 but if it solves the problem then it will be well worth it.

[@sketchykat9101]

Works on 15 Nissan frontier just no extra plate. 2 screws hold the actuator. Saved me several hours

[@jjneitzel55]

Hey Sketchy. This video will work for a Nissan frontier?

[@sketchykat9101]

@@jjneitzel55 it did on a 15 frontier not sure about other years. And I was able to remove just the actuator not the plate it bolts to. Very tight spot and takes some patience

[@Nerdweed420]

I got a 2016 frontier I’m about to tackle this I hope it’s close to this

[@johnglenn2475]

@@Nerdweed420 I have a 2016 frontier as well and will be trying this in the next few days. We're you able to get yours done? Also, if you have any recommendations on this I would appreciate anything you have. Thanks.

[@Nerdweed420]

@@johnglenn2475 sorry I just seen this yea I wiggled my hand in there. It’s hell but possibe. Don’t take the whole plate out tho that’s just dumb.

[@dominiclilly978]

Great info. Just started mine last night and got to putting the white plate in on the levers before I ran out of time. Any suggestions for getting the actuator assembly gear to drop in the hole after lining up only got to try a couple of times but seemed like a pia as I kept hitting the back wall?

[@geliesakelly2957]

Thanks for this video! I’m wondering if this works for my car! I have a ‘15 Nissan Rogue! Dealership is saying it’s the heater box && it’s $2k to fix! Help please and thank u😩

[@MrPaknight]

Great video and just think you wont have a dash that rattles down the road! I did it the same way.

[@Patryc]

i like the commentary lol

[@AneilRamdial]

Hi , Nissan murano 2014, when changing temp from 18°c to 19 went from cold to hot in instant is that a blend door issue or something else?

[@DougWilson-j1i]

Is a 2016 frontier the same

[@mralbertramirez2275]

Would this be the same for a 2009 nissan titan. I found an actuator below the left side of the ac controls way at the bottom

[@thebigdr]

To see above there, unfortunately, you didn't have the flashlight aimed to see anything up there.

[@tylermurray897]

Any idea where to get the cam? One of the projections was the problem with mine?

[@jamesreyer1174]

I would like too see more light. So how would you put a better light in there. Because you work we can't see what your doing .so please get better lighting in there. Thank you James .

[@jlubaja0786]

I have same problem with my Nissan Titan 2010. Mechanics want $565 to replace this part. I try but too hard . Its Nightmare . Thanks Nissan .

[@rahummi20]

Please help All blent doors are broken in mine .. i tried to fix them as far as i can but now all cars smoke get inside the car while i open AC on and i don't know what to do more

[@matthewkossnar6174]

Put duct tape over all that sharp metal before you start working it'll keep your arms from looking like they got scratched up by a cat

[@nayedeni]

Hi. This video is very helpful. I just wonder if this will apply to my vehicle. I have a 2015 nissan versa. The air is cold to the touch on the pipes of the blower motor. So I know it's either the resistor or the blend door . The problem is when the actuator is searches by my vin number I'm being told by the Nissan dealership that the components are all sold together.. Something called a heat box??? 792.00😩 Will a different brand for the actuator like from a part store work on my vehicle?

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

Hi, I checked and nobody lists a similar part for the 2015 Versa. But here is a heater box assembly cheap on eBay: ahparts.com/buy-used/2015-nissan-versa-heater-core-housing-and-blower-motor-27210-9kk0a-272109kk0a/226883-1?g=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkenqBRBgEiwA-bZVtgwJD2ocSHUG2nm78WbdEksELo7OPRI4RIUXEaVS95SWiDQY2iRVUhoCrIYQAvD_BwE

[@gte717v]

Anyone know of a video like this for the 2017 model year Titan?

[@harlemknuckles5781]

What year maxima

[@erege09]

So which car and model are these instructions for?

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

This was a 2004 Titan but may apply to others

[@poppaluv]

Will an actuator go bad and cause constant clicking when off, draining the batt?

[@rebeccac4499]

Yes!! That is the problem I'm having with my 2010 Nissan Armada Platinum. The actuator drains the battery, even after I bought a new one, so now I have a manual level to shut off the battery when parked. Makes life much more difficult, and I am considering getting rid of my Armada, even though I absolutely LOVE it. Just not very practical to drive now!

[@ksboi29]

Do you have the part number for this? Want to verify I am ordering the correct part.

[@tejanolife79]

What year ?

[@SXRSkibum]

How are you guys doing this? You must have longer and skinnier arms than I do.... I can't get my arms in far enough.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

You need long, thin, yet strong arms with eyes on the ends of your fingers!

[@davidlang4442]

@@alouiciousjackson5812 Damn! I just happen to have that feature on my finger tips!

[@melvinyoung1122]

Is this for 2011 nissan armada? Driver side is warn, passenger side is cold.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

I'm not sure if it is exactly the same but it should be similar.

[@melvinyoung1122]

​@@alouiciousjackson5812 ok it just confuses me that my issue of on the driver side but the actuator door is on the passenger side. Thanks!!

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

@@melvinyoung1122 Does yours have dual zone climate control?

[@robkittredge6031]

Is it possible to remove the actuator and mounting plate without removing the white cam plate, and then not have to worry about trying to get the cam plate back in alignment?

[@darrinholst]

I doubt it. The white plate just sits on a pivot point and the 2 pins that go in the tracks and it’s tight just getting it out. It will surely be knocked off.

[@bigjonhamm]

So from my understanding your doing this from the passenger side? I had my arm reached up inside the drivers side to get to it. Got the old one off but that stupid cam plate fell off and I couldn't get it back together. Stuck on vent now. Lol please help

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

If you watch through the video and read the comments there are some tips on lining the cam plate back up. You will need to go through the passenger side and use a mirror.

[@bigjonhamm]

@@alouiciousjackson5812 thank you for the reply. Will definitely try that tomorrow

[@Wrenchingdaily]

The dealer will not take the dash out, but will tell you they did just to charge you for that labor.

[@MarioQuezada]

I've got a 2012 Pathfinder that clicks when I turn the recirc air off

[@helenmora277]

I yyyy

[@EViLGamesTN]

Could this be done on a 2017 nissan frontier?

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

I'm not sure but it should be similar

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

I'm not sure but it should be similar

[@سلوومبوعبدالله]

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

[@roxanneagraan6444]

My problem with my nissan maxima!

[@bryancampbell3694]

Just replace mine but still not cutting off the cold side

[@terrysnipes4462]

Does this work on a 2006 Murano S ??? Because I show don't want to pay $1000K ..

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

It should be similar, maybe another viewer will be able to answer for sure

[@JackLoyal93]

This might be a stupid question, but bear with me: would/could you be able to prehaps instead of relying on the act of the actuator opening and closing the blend door, you could run a wire or two through your vent to operate the door manually? I mean, isn't that how most car climate control systems worked up till like 2001? They were all levers and rods, weren't they?

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

No that wouldn't be possible. You would have to remove the actuator anyway because of the resistance it introduces.

[@billygribble9939]

I'm about to do this but I think it's easier to just pull the dash lol

[@BryanLWeier]

Anyone do this in a 2017 Nissan Frontier???

[@terrollfields2936]

Thanks, but I'd rather take the entire dash off, so this wouldn't be as much of a pain trying to use a mirror to see what I can't see.

[@mohodisco]

What year Titan is this? And is it the dual-zone driver/passenger climate control?

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

It was a 2004, didn't have the dual zone as far as I can remember.

[@Xtradavistation]

Where did you go to find the factory part because I se so many variations

[@Xtradavistation]

The 604-970 won't even fit the plate anyway lol I checked

[@crisknapp1990]

Those boogers are not user friendly I take it