Replace Fresh air door Actuator on 2001 Silverado

I cannot believe how hard this is just to replace a $20 part, but if I can do it,
anyone can!
I did not have to cut my air duct, but it might have been easier to just cut it to replace this part then duct tape it back together.
If you do not have a flexible 1/2" drive adapter like I had, you could try other methods of turning the small bolts. Perhaps, putting dual sided scotch tape on the 1/4" extension would give you enough friction to hold onto and to turn the tool. I am sure there are other possibilities.
See links below for where I bought my new Actuator or some call regulator on ebay and the very helpful videos on dash removal.
New Fresh air inlet Actuator bought on Ebay:
HVAC Air Inlet Door Actuator ACDelco GM Original Equipment # 15-73599
www.ebay.com/itm/HVAC-Air-Inl...
Links to other helpful videos:
Blend Door Actuator Replacement Chevy Silverado 2004 (Behind Dash)
by SMD Fishing
This is a good video for removing the dash. He does cut the duct to get to the dual control blend actuator.
• How to change the Blen...
Silverado Heater and AC Actuator FIX
by briansmobile1
• Silverado Heater and A...
Very long, but very detailed video replacing all actuators. Brian removes the dash and cuts the duct!

[@o06908]

Needed a video on this procedure and the best I could find on the internet was from some dude you called air vents a duck. I learned that uneducated people can make a difference too. Thanks for this video. It was extremely helpful. Don't cut the "duck" work. This procedure works fine!

[@johntube2525]

Love the fact that you could see the humor in this tedious job. Mine is still working great despite try to blow a duck. LOL!😃

[@kevinmatthews9207]

Still looking for the duck in my truck. Lol great video. Thanks for taking the time to document this. Appreciate it

[@emeraldaisle2927]

This is a very good video, and I'm going to try it. I may cut the ductwork. I shall see. Thank you for taking the time and effort to cover all the angles.

[@Chevelle602]

You can just run recirculation and unplug the actuator to get it to be quiet. The door will shut. You really don't need the fresh air inlet unless you really want to do this.

[@johntube2525]

Thanks, you may save some people a big headache with this comment. This job turned out to be harder than I thought it would be. Hopefully people will read the comments, because there can be really good information written there.

[@emeraldaisle2927]

Very smart!!!! I'm just going to disconnect the the electrical connector. Why would I ever want outside air, anyway? I don't know.

[@jamespearson3874]

Thanks John . I have same truck same problem.

[@johntube2525]

Me being in my 70’s and trying to work between the seat and the dash probably made this harder than it really was, but I wish you good luck. If I could do it I think anyone can! Mine is still working great!

[@JCSRunur]

The quacking problem is a chevy trait. A plastic gear in the regulator strips and the motor keeps running until it times out. Get a regulator at Pick n Pull from a GMC. These regulators have metal and not plastic gears. Works great!

[@johntube2525]

Thanks for watch and informing all that a metal gear is available. Yes, I took my broken one apart and it was the plastic gear that was broken. If the new one I replaced the broken one with, last as long as the original, I will die of old age or a disease before I need another. Still working to this date, but given how hard it is to replace, I would most likely follow your advice should it break again.

[@franklopez3377]

Very helpful

[@johntube2525]

Thank you for the comment!

[@trialsbikeguy]

I have 2013 Silverado. Each time I press the recirculation button it blinks 3 times then goes right back to the outside air indicator. Is this a need for the recirculation actuator replacement ???

[@johntube2525]

It has been so long since I had my problem, I do not remember the symptoms, except it made that popping sound when I pushed the non-recirculation button, which is where the door appears to be closing. It would not completely close and would start jumping and making that popping sound because the plastic gears inside the motor were broken. I took the old part apart and saw the broken plastic gears. At about 14 minutes on my video I show you the recirculation button blinks about 3 times and then goes off on my vehicle even with the new part on. Apparently on my vehicle you do not use the recirculation phase and defrost at the same time. That is about all I can tell you. Perhaps someone else will read your comment and have a better answer. Sorry it has been a long time since I replaced the part and thank goodness it is still working fine. Keep searching and asking other questions and I hope you find the answer.

[@trialsbikeguy]

@@johntube2525 Thank you

[@r3alfish]

My door is just loose. Hangs middle of the 2 positions. Lol. Idk if that means my actuator is actuator broken or if it means my door is messed up and i hate to do all of this just to get the actuator out and find out my door is broken. Haha. I did the mode door about 2 months ago, it was slipping, took about an hour. Worst part of it was how badly it got stuck onto the shaft.

[@johntube2525]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope you are able to fix your problem. I took my bad actuator apart and found a plastic gear inside that was missing some teeth or gear ridges. Non-repairable plastic gear. That was why my door was making noise and kind of jumping around. I hope this helps and good luck!

[@jamespeach626]

Is This the same process for a 01 suburban

[@johntube2525]

I am sure it is similar if not the same. I know your dilemma. I always like to find the exact same vehicle as mine when searching KZbin videos for help. If I had just faced the situation and taken the dashboard off right away, it would have made this job easier. Also perhaps just cutting the duct would have made it easier. Good news, it is still working like it should. I am old and therefore have a hard time putting my body, arms and hands in unusual positions, but if I can do it anyone can. Good Luck! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jamespeach626]

@@johntube2525 thank you for the info. I have a heck of a job. I bought a 01 suburban for a really good price. But all 3 of the blend doors up front and the selector mode actuator need to be replaced

[@justjoshin5140]

@@jamespeach626 did you fix the burb? Was it the same as this vid and which method did you use to fix this one (recirc actuator)?

[@21boxhead]

DUCK? YOU MEAN DUCT REGULATOR? YOU MEAN ACTUATOR

[@thunderbird97]

did you disconnect the battery before unplugging the air bag

[@johntube2525]

I really do not remember. Sounds like a good approach though. I do not think I did, because after I removed the air bag I turned on the key and watched the fresh air door jumping around.. I later took the regulator apart and found missing teeth on the plastic gear inside the regulator. Or perhaps I reconnected the battery after removing the air bag. and then turned the key on. Just do not remember..

[@thunderbird97]

@@johntube2525 ok ty for response working on mine right now had to come watch videos again, trying to get my dash out now did you take trim on pillars off

[@johntube2525]

@@thunderbird97 I think I was able to skip that step.

[@bullnpcola]

I didn’t

[@sirsloth8579]

SECOND BONE HEAD MISTAKE....Its NOT a regulator....its called an ACCUATOR.....

[@joathansmith9598]

I thought it was called a duct and an actuator?

[@johntube2525]

I guess you missed my apologies for the duct, aka duck mistake. Sometimes my ignorance even makes me laugh. A little humor now and then is good for the soul. Seems the consensus is, an Actuator. So you are correct on both points. I think I can change the Title from regulator to actuator. Going to give it a try. Maybe more people will find the video and hopefully will help them out or make them laugh.