Any Quality Blend Door Actuators Out There That Won't Break?

[BillyHW]

Hey folks,

I've gone through a Mopar one and a Dorman one so far. They just seem to keep breaking. RockAuto shows 10 different brands for my vehicle. Does anyone know of a quality brand that won't break? Why can't they use metal gears instead of cheap plastic? I am hating life because of this.

 

[clinebarger]

Something has to be the mechanical fuse, Better than the actual door breaking!

Maybe the door is binding,

 

[oldhp]

A modified choke cable. Get a fancy knob so it matches the interior.

 

[Kurtatron]

A modified choke cable. Get a fancy knob so it matches the interior.

Cable operated blend doors in my Previa and Scion have never broken. I wonder why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just buy a few of the cheapest one, so that when it breaks again you'll have it on hand and won't have to pay shipping twice

 

[BillyHW]

Just buy a few of the cheapest one, so that when it breaks again you'll have it on hand and won't have to pay shipping twice

The problem is that they are such a pain in the butt to change.

 

[BillyHW]

Something has to be the mechanical fuse, Better than the actual door breaking!

Maybe the door is binding,

When I installed the last one I was able to move the recirc door open and closed normally enough with my hands. I even tested it after installation with the button and it seemed to move normally. I could see it moving through the cabin air filter door.

 

[benjamming]

Maybe I missed it, but what vehicle?

 

[Dino01]

If it’s MOPAR i would try that again, although may be worthwhile to see if Denso maybe makes one for your application

 

[BillyHW]

Maybe I missed it, but what vehicle?

It's in my signature.

 

[BillyHW]

If it’s MOPAR i would try that again, although may be worthwhile to see if Denso maybe makes one for your application

Not sure how I would look up if there is a compatible Denso part. It doesn't seem to be on the RockAuto search engine list I posted above.

The factory/chrysler/mopar part number is 68018109AA.

(Which I can't believe is still in Rev. A. They have Rev. C and D hub caps for chrissakes but they never bothered to fix this part that has been breaking in all their vehicles for 20 years.)

 

[vwmaniaman]

Don't feel alone since my 05 Yukon has the same problem with its blend door controller.

 

[Number_35]

A modified choke cable. Get a fancy knob so it matches the interior.

That was a common fix for the Ford Windstar.

 

[Number_35]

It's in my signature.

It doesn't show up on my mobile device. I'll check the desktop.

 

[BillyHW]

It doesn't show up on my mobile device. I'll check the desktop.

2012 Chrysler 200 LX 2.4L.

 

[FT92]

my Honda accord, same thing, went thru several blend door actuators a real pain to get to. i finally gave up and let the air flow wherever it wants to

 

[D60]

Not much help but here's some apps:

I briefly fought one on a Compass.

I never did replace it because somehow I repositioned the arm so it worked again. Presumably it was catching different teeth at that point. I cycled it numerous times and it worked perfectly with no clicking.

I suggested the owner run it and see what happens. I never heard back from her but I think she got mad at me later because I got really busy and failed to return her phone call regarding an oil change (shrug).

edit: I believe I'm recalling air flow position, not temperature

 

[Ed in Tx]

Had the defrost-dash vents-floor actuator fail in my Chevy Trailblazer after replacing the battery. Mine didn't break off any teeth, it cracked the driven gear. Seems the system runs the actuators from end to end doing a reset when 12V is interrupted and reconnected. All was working fine until that. Originally thought this was a GM problem but now I am finding this is a fairly common problem with lots of vehicles. Was a pain to get to but didn't have to pull the dash for this one. There are 5 actuators total. I guess I got lucky. Best to use a memory keeper when battery is disconnected for any reason.

 

[dfarr67]

Pull that damaged gear off- turn 180deg, JB weld reinforce.

 

[meep]

Pull that damaged gear off- turn 180deg, JB weld reinforce.

You could even drill two tiny holes on both sides of the crack and use thread to tie them together, and then use the JB weld / epoxy.

But something else will likely break. These go through a lot of summer heating cycles parked in the sun.