Replacing the damper door actuator for the heat/AC.

[@97TRAKIN]

Be sure to hit the subscribe button. As my Armada ages and I make necessary repairs, I try to post up videos on it.

[@jdboyd8]

On the driver's side actuator, did you remove the radio and all or is it accessible from the floor board?

[@97TRAKIN]

The drivers side actuator is completely accessible from the driver's side floor well area. That was the easiest one to replace in my opinion. The hardest part was trying to reconnect the electric plug to the actuator. I threw every curse word I knew at that thing until I shamed it into sliding back on lol.

[@jdboyd8]

Ha! Awesome. Thanks for the answer.

[@philzerkel3486]

My shop wanted $1200 to $1500, I'm foolish enough too attempt myself. I think I'll remove the dash though to gain a little more access/visibility. Thanks for posting and warning us!

[@michaelmonell9601]

I did it!!! 2008 Titan. Get all your duck in a row. Study this video and others on this repair and you can do it to. Thanks for the inspiration Romeo. $30.00 not $1000.00 !

[@aallen7366]

GOOD JOB!! Thanks for not telling me its easy, took me all weekend but I got it. Now I know why mechanic wanted $700 for the job.

[@NissanNut74]

There is lots of access if you remove the dash panel. Amazing you got that replaced without the removing dash.

[@hassanalyafai612]

I know this video is old but I would like to thank you for this video I have managed to replace mine after watching your video, it took me hours because I didn't have the right tools but Im glad that I did it. Thanks a lot

[@ahmadismail2754]

You weren’t kidding! It’s a huge pain in the ass. I’m changing my actuator, pulled it off but had a hard time reinstalling. Called it a day and will resume tomorrow.

[@davidlang4442]

It's been two years. How did it go? Would you do it again without removing the dash?

[@MrPaknight]

This is the best video on how to do this. Thank you i was able to do mine from this video.

[@97TRAKIN]

Thank you very much for that comment. I am glad to have helped.

[@m33w99]

Dude ..you had me rolling ! Indeed this is a job for stretch Armstrong .... I've know buddies with Titans that just trade it in for a new one when this 'clicking' starts-lol. I just bought a 2017 base model Titan, great truck so far, probably still use same actuators .... one thing though I like is simple like yours. The higher trims with all the extras like duel climate are in for a bigger nightmare.

[@bmxbarron]

just finished this project, took me and my buddy 4 hours, its real tight, you must have skinny arms and long fingers, its really freaking tedious, this video gave me faith to tackle the project. Nissan wanted 1,000 to fix it, its a 45 dollar part... they wanted to keep it for 2 days too, I said fuck it, i tried it and saved some cash and my ac is back working again in time for summer

[@97TRAKIN]

Hahaha. I'm glad that you guys got it sorted out. I'm just use to working in very tight spaces. I used to work on yacht diesel engines. You haven't seen tight until you've worked in a marine engine room.

[@JuanRivera-ff6fd]

zack barron how was it affecting your ac?

[@MikeJohnson-ut7lx]

Jinny, No I haven't replaced anything yet. I want to make sure I change the right one first. I believe I have it located but according to the dealership the actuators in stock have been returned to Nissan due to them being mismanufactured. They are expecting the replacements any day now. The actuator that I think is malfunctioning is above the brake pedal. I think it isn't engaging the moving parts that connect to the diverter flap. Does that make sense? It it hard to see the entire mechanism.

[@jeffwolf8018]

I got pretty small skinny hands and I can't get my hands in that area I don't know how in the hell you were able to. Most impressive.. course I'm 52 years old. And carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands that leaves my hands on fire, the arthritis gives me nasty cramps, that doesn't help anything.

[@mommabear8260]

Thinking about doing this. Thank God, I have small dainty fingers and long arms. Thanks for the video

[@97TRAKIN]

Good luck. If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them.

[@mommabear8260]

Thank you.

[@GrizzlyMastadon]

Did this cause problems with heat not working before you replaced the part? I drive an 06 Titan. Replaced thermostat, heater core, and actuator for the fan. Still no heat.

[@97TRAKIN]

Yes, my heat stopped working when the actuator failed. However, on the Titans a no heat issue is usually caused by a failed water inlet valve. The valve is located under the hood on the passenger side firewall. With the engine warmed up and the heat turned to max, carefully touch the hot water hoses on both sides of the water inlet valve. If the hoses aren't the same temperature, odds are the valve has failed and not allowing the hot water to pass and flow through the heater core.

[@jp2code]

Dang. I need that schematic

[@RobertoLopez-jt5if]

i have a problem with air going through the defrost vents when it is on front vents would the actuator above the gas pedal be the issue or something else

[@97TRAKIN]

Good evening sir. Yes, that would be correct.

[@JCe92m3]

What’s the difference between this motor and the one above the gas pedal?

[@97TRAKIN]

Honestly, I don't remember. They may very well be the same.

[@Eeropolvasti]

By the way, it looks like only 3 small bolts?? How much was the part/ actuator?? Good job, thanks again =)

[@97TRAKIN]

it is three small screws/bolts. The part was less than $50.

[@Eeropolvasti]

Did you have to take off passenger site airbag?? is that complicated?? Disconnect battery first?? Thanks =) youtheman

[@97TRAKIN]

+Eero Laukkanen No sir. No need to mess with any of that.

[@antonlagoutine8152]

Thanks for the video. I have been able to replace the actuator with a new one. However, the clicking noise is still there when I change the temperature. I realize that the actuator in the video is for defrost, but I am convinced that it's the one that's making the noise. Do you have any advice? Thanks.

[@97TRAKIN]

The actuator in this video is not for the defrost, it's for changing between hot and cold.

[@97TRAKIN]

Do you have front dual zone?

[@lonestar95]

Appreciate your quick reply. There's another actuator at the bottom of the black canister below the glove box. That's the one that was clicking and had a gear tooth broken. It's in plain view easily accessible and I swapped it in two minutes. I just never saw any references to it on the forums or on KZbin.

[@lonestar95]

I do have a front dual zone. Anyway, thanks to you I have a brand new actuator in a hard-to-reach location and a satisfaction of knowing I can fix things (this job was a lot more challenging than changing the Armada starter that sits on top of the engine at the back of the v under the intake manifold.)

[@97TRAKIN]

@@lonestar95 yeah the dual zone is a little different.

[@Diceman12100]

I have a 2010 titan and mine is doing the same thing....If i turn the middle knob from cold to hot a bunch of times the ac will kick in but now its to the point it only blows hot....I think all my actuators are the same...So is the middle knob located on the right side of the dash thats the 1 i need to change...It makes a wewewe noise but it seems it does not open all the way to blow cold air....ill be fixing it this weekend ....Thanks if you could reply

[@random_thought]

Hmm. have a 08' QX56 with no heat on passenger side just cold air. Seems this may be the problem... but ive heard theres a center one also ??

[@MrPaknight]

I got two of the three out and now i need a 5.5 wrench to get the front one out. Cant fit a rachet under the ac line.

[@97TRAKIN]

It's been a while, but I think I ground a 5mm open just enough to fit onto the 5.5mm. Good luck with it 👍💪

[@His_Story_is_Fashion]

Would this cause no cool air in the back? I'm having a problem where there is no cool air coming out the overhead vents in the rear. I get cool air through all of the front vents and the foot rear vents. It makes it difficult to have passengers in the truck. I also noticed there's no power to control anything on the rear overhead console. It can only be controlled from the front.

[@97TRAKIN]

Sadly I do not know. I'd start with checking to make sure the rear blower is working. It's located to the right rear of the truck in the cargo area. If it's working/blowing, I'd make sure the damper door actuator is diverting the air through the rear evaporator instead of the rear heater core. I replaced my rear actuator for this very reason. I think I made a video on it too.

[@His_Story_is_Fashion]

@@97TRAKIN Thanks. Will check tomorrow.👍

[@ramonahigh]

Just stumbled across your video, I have a 07 Nissan Titan, my problem is that my ac isn’t coming out cold and it’s got a clicking noise from time to time right in the same area yours did.. I’ve replaced it at the dealer and they charged me $2400 because some of my dash had to be replaced. They said that because they’re going to remove it, some clips might break so they charged me for the labor of replacing this part plus whatever parts of the dash they broke while removing it. My question is, what was the initial problem with your ac.. Was it just the clicking ? Or was there no cold air coming out? When I took mine in the first time they checked everything and it was the actuator that controls the hot and cold… I’m thinking it’s the same thing again since it did the same clicking noise as before.

[@97TRAKIN]

It's the same issue, though mine was no heat coming out.

[@gabefoltz5815]

Really appreciate this video. I have the same issue on my 05 Titan. But I don't understand why you removed the radio (other than to create the small hole for the flashlight?) or the area with the shifter and the solenoid? What do those have to do with it, and you said something about depressing the brake pedal to release the solenoid? If you could provide just a bit more detail I would sure appreciate it!

[@97TRAKIN]

In order to gain as much room AND light as possible, remove the radio bezel AND the center bezel. In order to remove the center bezel you must remove the shifter knob AND the shifter cover. ****I only mentioned the brake peddle to describe what happens in regular operation. "When you depress the brake peddle the shift lock solenoid releases".***

[@97TRAKIN]

....as you stated, "My mention of the brakes has nothing to do with replacing the actuator" ;-) .

[@sachintharanasinghehewage9339]

so the actuator that controls the far right knob which is the different AC modes is above gas pedal?

[@97TRAKIN]

That is correct.

[@jamesmcclain5441]

how hard was it to remove the round center dash part?

[@97TRAKIN]

It was not hard at all. Just twist off the shifter knob and remove the section the covers the shifter. Remove the radio bezel then remove the center bezel.

[@Sn0Pro7]

Just want to confirm here. The dial that controls the direction of air flow (floor, face, defrost, etc) is the actuator on the drivers side behind the steering wheel area? my 05 clicks for about 5 seconds when I turn that button only. Does not do it when I turn the air temp dial. Also my airbag light started blinking at the same time the actuator started clicking.

[@97TRAKIN]

Correct. Air flow control is the actuator on the HVAC air box accessed on the driver's side floor well area. I did a write up on that one over on the "Club Armada" forum.

[@Sn0Pro7]

Romeo Guishard Jr thank you sir

[@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

[@97TRAKIN]

Whichever side isn't reacting to the blend door inputs is the side with the bad actuator. Dual zone can be a pain in the butt since some vehicles use two blend doors.

[@jeffwolf8018]

The trick is how do you replace the activator where it connects to the arm that mine has a big crack going through it? Is it even possible?

[@97TRAKIN]

I'm trying to understand your question. Where my actuator mounts, the housing has a crack also. The crack is usually what causes the actuator to fail because once it cracks, the actuator can over-travel. Club-Armada and Titan-Talk are owners groups for these vehicles. I posted on there a fix I did to prevent over-travel even with the crack. Basically I glued on a "stop" that the arm contacts once it's at where it's max travel should be.

[@marcosrodriguez6526]

hi i just purchased a 2011 armada which also does the clicking noise on the passenger side dashboard however mine is the dual ac will the part be the same ? and will it also be in the same spot as in your armada ? thanks

[@bryonbrill]

PITA.. lol ya you just got a subscriber!

[@la747]

I have a 2010 Nissan Titan I can't control my temperature when I turn the knob just above the full cold mark it starts blowing hot air . I looked at the actuator for the blend door and moved the knob and I have no movement at all do you think it's the actuator or the control thank you.

[@Vgk36]

I have the same issue sometimes the temp control works sometimes it doesn't. Been like that for a year. I ended up pulling glove box out disconnecting actuator and pulling 2 screws out cause I couldn't reach the 3rd one and slid the door to closed . is it fixed right no. does my ac work full blast cold now YES. fuck it I'll manually close the door to heat once it gets cold outside unless I decide to pull the whole dash off.

[@edgarmendoza4112]

I have a 2005 titan Le, I have the knocking sound as soon as I turn on the truck. My ac does not work. My ac compressor turns on for a second and turns back on after 15 seconds..:is this the problem?

[@darksniper7807]

romeo guishard jr I have a 2004 nissan titan they do the same knocking what happens if I dont fix it? can you please let me know

[@97TRAKIN]

+Diego Leos Good day sir. If you do not fix it, eventually it will quite working all together.

[@Justadudeman22]

Is this the same for a 2001 pathfinder ? (R50, previous generation )

[@chfjef1205]

would you suggest that passenger side seat removal would have facilitated easier part replacement?

[@97TRAKIN]

Actually I don't think it would help, if anything it may hinder. I sat in the passenger seat as I worked.

[@declanmcmanus8995]

will this process work for the Pathfinder as well?

[@97TRAKIN]

Sorry, but I am not sure if the process is the same. I call it the "Nissan Tick" or the "Nissan Woodpecker on Steroids". Every Nissan we've ever owned has done it eventually,.....if you own the vehicle long enough.

[@MikeJohnson-ut7lx]

I have dual zone and my defrost mode does not work now. The dash and floor air works. I noticed a clicking noise a few months before it quit when I tried to turn it to defrost. Now, no defrost at all. Which actuator do you think that is. 2006 Titan LE 4x4.

[@jinnypark240]

+Mike Johnson So, did you replace the old actuator with the new one and then the problems started? If it is then you might have a bad connection or the wrong part.

[@MikeJohnson-ut7lx]

+Jinny Park, No I haven't replaced anything yet. I want to make sure I change the right one first. I believe I have it located but according to the dealership the actuators in stock have been returned to Nissan due to them being mismanufactured. They are expecting the replacements any day now. The actuator that I think is malfunctioning is above the brake pedal. I think it isn't engaging the moving parts that connect to the diverter flap. Does that make sense? It it hard to see the entire mechanism.

[@bobbyjourneys5134]

Hi, do you know if a 2006 Infiniti is the same for all three ?

[@97TRAKIN]

Good evening sir. The Infinity and the Armada in this body style are the same truck under the badges/name. Like the dual zone Armadas, I'm not sure if this will work for your vehicle because I believe all the Infinity badged trucks are dual zone.

[@alpinedo6887]

Wow dude.! You took everything out on that dashboard just for that.?

[@97TRAKIN]

Everyone else including the dealer removes the entire dashboard...

[@waygee1234]

Why did you remove the console bezel??

[@97TRAKIN]

To let some light in and see what I can of the actuator. It helps (for me) because the space is extremely tight. Anything that can help is worth it. Good luck with your replacement.

[@waygee1234]

Tinker Tank the actuator is in the upper dash, the console is between the seats.

[@97TRAKIN]

@@waygee1234 Oh the center console, got ya. I only removed the top of it. In order to remove the center bezel, you pull the top of the center ccolumn. I hope that clears it up a little lol.

[@2xhollow191]

question.. I am having the same knocking issue in my 2012 armada.. the sound is coming fron the right side glove box area.. im having no issues with a/c or anything i can notice for that matter. I have had to replace the battery a couple times since thia knocking started.. I took the truck to midas and they said its powersteering possibly but I havent seen anyone with this knocking mention a powersteering issue..have you heard of the knocking being a powersteering problem?!?

[@97TRAKIN]

Good evening. I wouldn't take my truck to midas for anything beyond exhaust or suspension related. When an actuator starts to go bad, it'll still work, it'll just make a grinding/clicking noise every now and then. You said a knocking sound, the one that is usually heard is more of a clicking sound, and it usually only occurs when adjusting the HVAC or after turning the vehicle off.

[@2xhollow191]

Romeo Guishard Jr ok i am def having a knocking noise like of i was knocking with my knuckle on the dash board. soinds like its coming from right underneth my passenger airbag area. It covered under carmax but i was getting pil change at midas and had a guy look at it. he said it is power steering possibly.. but my steering feels fine..

[@97TRAKIN]

Does it make the noise ONLY when you turn the wheel?

[@97TRAKIN]

.....or does it do it under the conditions I listed above?

[@2xhollow191]

not when i turn the wheel. just randomly

[@mikegeer5185]

Thanks, Im off to do mine.

[@Eeropolvasti]

Good job, man! now, tell me, did you fit your fist/hand thru that hole, where your flashlight was?? So I mean in a middle?? Not thru the glove box??? So you have to basically just feel the nuts/bolts??? I have seen couple videos here, they do same thing, BUT they remove dashboard!!! They say it took fricken 5 hours!!!! youtheman =)

[@97TRAKIN]

Good day sir. You stick your hand in through the glove box opening as I did in the video. Where I shined the flashlight is the only place you can see in. Yes, you have to work by feel.

[@Eeropolvasti]

Good job, some older technician here just was telling in another video, how he had to take dashboard out, middle console out, took 8 hours to do it, and has to throw AC/heater unit to garbage/ thrash, and buy the whole new unit...???, only because this very same, $30 part,....I am still laughing...=)

[@97TRAKIN]

+Eero Laukkanen Sadly there are very few actually mechanics left. Most of these guys out here now are code readers and part replacers.

[@97TRAKIN]

+Eero Laukkanen I saw that video also. Theirs a plastic "over travel stop" that sometimes breaks on these vehicles. When it does, it causes the arm to ride up and disengage from the damper door slot, the one that controls heat. Mine broke YEARS ago. I simply made a rubber bumper over travel stop which is much stronger than stock. I did this back in 2011, no issues since.

[@michellelara8839]

+Romeo Guishard Jr How did you go about making the piece for the damper door?

[@darksniper7807]

but you mean all the ac or just the part

[@97TRAKIN]

+Diego Leos it will most likely be stuck on the cold side. Everything else will work as far as the fan, and the different modes. You just won't have any heat most likely.....

[@MrPaknight]

I lost my ac, blows really hot. Now im changing this one and this dude knows his shit. Thanks for the help. This is very challenging if you have big hands.

[@allanzuniga8866]

So if you could please explain why are you doing this, what was the problem ? I’m trying to find out why my 11’ Armada makes a knocking noise under dashboard passenger side.

[@97TRAKIN]

No heat or intermittent heat. The actuator that swings the heat/cool damper doors stripped a gear and started clicking. The result, no heat or intermittent heat.

[@davidlang4442]

Next time, remove the dash. That's what the dealership would do. They do it that way for a good reason.

[@97TRAKIN]

Yep, they do it for a reason 💵👍🏿.

[@tbl8560]

Nissan will replace driver or passenger air mix door motor for free on 2004 - 2011 Armada and Titan. Call your local dealer with your VIN and mention bulletin NTB11-048. Good luck!

[@97TRAKIN]

TBL Nice! A coworker just bought a Titan, I'll be sure to share this info, thanks.

[@jersal873]

TBL really? I believe mine is shot. Is this the part that you hear when you turn AC/heat on and it sounds like a motor is trying to work but it's stuck? If that's the case I'll mention this bulletin to them! Was it a recall?

[@dionesheperd]

TBL thank you sooo much! I just bought one and that knocking sound just started. I hope this works!!!

[@rajesh9003]

NTB11-048 does not say it is covered by Nissan. Do you have more info?

[@sminthian]

A NTB just means that there's something wrong and they're telling you how to fix it. It doesn't mean they'll fix it for free. I've never had any luck with getting the dealership to fix anything for free with NTB's.

[@rekennedy89]

Do you have the part number? Is the new one updated so that it doesn't do this again?

[@97TRAKIN]

No I do not have the part number readily available. Sadly the one I installed is still the old style, you can tell from the color of the gear that sticks out. Turning down the fan speed prior to making adjustments is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of the actuator.

[@rekennedy89]

I can feel the part. There is three 5.5mm bolts right? Is there a power connector too? Or do I just undo the 3 bolts remove the part, put the new one in place and connect the three bolts? Or do I have to connect and line up other parts too?

[@97TRAKIN]

There is an electrical connector and the bracket. I think I showed the bracket in the video.

[@97TRAKIN]

At the 32 second mark you can see the actuator in it's bracket. The three screws actually hold the bracket to the HVAC box/duct. The actuator is bolted to the bracket. Once the bracket is out, that is when you swap out the actuators.

[@mavol5839]

Shit for the amount the dealership charges, ill try to do it myself.

[@paul5276]

I did it your way I was successful however my hands are cut up. it is harder than putting socks on a chicken. I'll never do it again. it paid $600 I make 45% FYI there are 3 arms that hook into the swing arm the one closest to the front is impossible to see u have to know it is there. good luck to whoever trys this.

[@sergiogonzalez4395]

what going on my blower motor works but only blows down to the feet portion of the vents?

[@97TRAKIN]

Then you need to replace the actuator that mounts to the driver's side of the HVAC airbox, not the one that I am referencing in this video. If you go to "Club Armada", you'll find detailed instructions on replacing it. I did mines and did a write up on there.

[@vincentzuhowsky3076]

awesome video. scraped the shit out of my arms . should have hired a small asian child to get in there no prob

[@97TRAKIN]

I'm glad you got it done. Thank you sir for the comment.

[@raulmontalvo7540]

2005 Nissan y no blowing hot

[@سلوومبوعبدالله]

hi

[@arcticwolfgirlskyler6261]

I call bullshit I can see your wrist when you say your tightening it and I did one yesterday could barely even get my arm in to it HAD to remove the Dash unless there is a difference in a 2010 Armada.........

[@billcampos3300]

10 to 15 minutes? Lol. More like 2 to 3 hours lol