'95-'99 Air Mix Door Actuator R & R.

[Randy T.]

The actuators are right and left side specific. When changing them, make sure you use one from the proper side.









I changed the middle one on the drivers side (#5). I was having hot air coming out of my drivers side and rear console vents. It will even have hot/or cold air blowing on your feet when your HVAC is not on. Which is typical for GM vehicles, because temperature controlled air will come out even when your HVAC is turned off.


First I removed the console side trim pieces. Each one has 2 tabs and then a spring that hooks them both together. You have to unhook the spring form the drivers side trim piece. The spring will not unhook from the passenger side piece, it is permanently attached.

Take a good look at my trim pics. These are not too easy to remove and I broke a tab off of mine.
It might be easier to pull the drivers side trim first. I won't know until I try again.











Then remove your driver side kick panel. It has three 7mm bolts. Unplug the light and the OBD plug and you can set it to the side. I did not take a pic of this.


Next I popped a piece of duct down for easier access. It pops right off, just pull down on the drivers side of it and it will unclip and swing down.











Next unplug the actuator and remove the 2 screws. They are 5.5mm. You can see 2 of the actuators in this pic, #5 and half of #1.







I pulled an extra one for another member.







Installation is the reversal of removal.

After you are finished you will need to recalibrate the actuator. Turn your key on without the engine running for 3 minutes.

[cbburtraw]

very good stuff, I know a lot of members who will need this. What does each of those actuators do?

[Randy T.]

They are somewhat labeled on the first pic. In the FSM it has a diagram for each separate setting. I can post those pics if you need them.

I pulled the #4 actuator today, that one is the hard one.

[jeremy1980]

Good writeup! We needed something written about the actuators.

Air comes out of my defrost whenever the fan is blowing air, even if it's just heat to the floor or A/C to the front fans. You think that could be one of the actuators, or just a door stuck open somewhere?

[vinnyk88]

Well thats definitely the problem with my car, the number 5 actuator is not moving in and out when I cycle the air from hot to cold, resulting in only half of my car getting cooled. Does anybody know where I can pick up another actuator?

[vinnyk88]

Since my number 5 actuator is stuck in the i'm assuming " heat position ", is it possible to take it out and force the thing that comes in and out back in, so it allows cold air in the the driver side of the car? Its hard for me get another one, just wondering if I can do a temp fix in the mean time

[doogins80]

I do not believe there is a manual way to do it. Most often when the actuators malfunction it is because of a cracked/broken nylon gear inside. I'm sure the same actuators are used in many GM models.

Here is a tip. If you have a factory head unit, unplug the harness from the back. Then disconnect the negative battery terminal for 5-10 minutes. Reconnect the head unit harness. Then reconnect the negative battery terminal and put key in run for 3 minutes.

As mentioned in the write-up this will re-calibrate the actuators. You will hear the blend doors moving about in the dash if you listen closely.

If this does not work then the actuator is toast more than likely from the broken nylon gear.

[ntrenn]

Just did this on my Intrigue a few months ago. You can manually position the actuator and bolt it back in place. Cold air for summer, hot for winter. Not sure about interchangeability, but the one that fit the 98 Intrigue is the same as the 2G Aurora and a slew of other cars.

You may have to reposition the actuator to get it to fit, as I put a left in on the right, but you can roll it around by jumping the motor with a AA battery.

I got mine off ebay from Morad Parts.

[vinnyk88]

I don't have a stock head unit any more, what prevents it from not working with a different one? I guess I'll take it out and take a better look at it, and see if I can pick another one up some where. If not, I'll try and do what ntrenn said. You think I would be able to pick one up somewhere vice ordering it online? Thanks for the help, its definitely saving me money from having someone telling me the same thing, if not the wrong thing, in an AC shop.

[doogins80]

The only reason I mentioned removing factory head unit and that is because the head unit is tied into the data link for the steering wheel controls for the HVAC fan speed. Removing the factory head unit and disconnecting the battery is a for sure way to recalibrate the actuators.

[brody2be]

you know where i can find a drivers side door actuator? i seem to be searching and every where i go they only have the right side passenger door actuator available. or are these interchangeable?

[ntrenn]

Check Morad Parts in Cleveland. They have an ebay store. Pretty sure they are interchangeable, but as in my earlier post, you may have to reposition the actuator before you install it. AA battery across the motor terminals will make it move.
Based on what I see in the photos, it looks like just about every GM car that had the electronic climate control used the exact same part, even though there are lots of part numbers.

[brody2be]

Which contacts on the motor do you jump to get the motor to move with out doing damage to the motor?

[vinnyk88]

Yeah im trying to do that with a double AA right now and am not having any luck. Is there a trick?

[stvgitz]

Does anybody know the part number for the passenger side actuator in step 2? Mine is stuck on hot, so I hope the passenger side is just as easy at the driver side..

[nelson480]

Is this whats wrong with mine? Sometimes i hear them really loud. Sounds like a creaky door. "EEEEEEERRRRRRRRR" for like 3-4 secs

[Oldsnut]

I have similar problems with mine. A/C was recharged and got a little cooler but not great so I checked and changed 2 of the 4 Actuators just for the heck of it and still hot on drivers side and now it is even less cool on the passenger side. They all from what I can (visually checking rotation of the splined gear wheel) see are moving the doors alrighty.

Should I be looking for something else or am I looking at a new compressor? I have spent more on this 1st gen than 4 years of my 2nd gen, UGGGGHHHHHH!

[bobsblue95]

May 19, 2012 13:26:24 GMT -6 Oldsnut said:

I have similar problems with mine. A/C was recharged and got a little cooler but not great so I checked and changed 2 of the 4 Actuators just for the heck of it and still hot on drivers side and now it is even less cool on the passenger side. They all from what I can (visually checking rotation of the splined gear wheel) see are moving the doors alrighty.
Should I be looking for something else or am I looking at a new compressor?

Have you checked it with a gauge set?

I have spent more on this 1st gen than 4 years of my 2nd gen, UGGGGHHHHHH!

Does that include the original investment?

[Randy T.]

May 19, 2012 13:26:24 GMT -6 Oldsnut said:

I have similar problems with mine. A/C was recharged and got a little cooler but not great so I checked and changed 2 of the 4 Actuators just for the heck of it and still hot on drivers side and now it is even less cool on the passenger side. They all from what I can (visually checking rotation of the splined gear wheel) see are moving the doors alrighty.

Should I be looking for something else or am I looking at a new compressor? I have spent more on this 1st gen than 4 years of my 2nd gen, UGGGGHHHHHH!

Have you done the actuator relearn procedure since replacement?

[RCA1186]

Just want to state my experience with this. Randy's write-up is spot on. But I also want to state that the diagram in the FSM for 1999 (and maybe other years) shows the wrong number for mix door. Randy's diagram shows it correctly. I was really thrown off by the FSM being different than the forum but I double checked (by looking at the actuators as I manipulated the climate control) and the mix door is for sure in the middle and not towards the bottom front as the '99 FSM states. I fell victim to the broken plastic gear inside. Got a cheap one from amazon. Should be installed today. Thanks to Randy for this write-up