Blend Door Actuator?

[JasmineMcDonald]

New to this forum; happy I found it.

I've searched for this issue, and I believe I'm in the right place.

I have a 2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 (I'm not sure about generations as I've seen others write). When I turn my thermostat toward heat, I get the clicking and no heat. As long as the thermostat is in the coldest position, no clicking and I do get the AC. So, three questions, is this likely the heat door/blend door actuator? Is this relatively easy to replace if the only mechanical thing you've done to your vehicle is change a right rear turn signal bulb and added coolant? And, if I can't do it, does $500+tax seem a reasonable price for taking it to Goodyear?

 

[willied]

That does sound like the blend door actuator. It's super easy to replace, just three screws and an electrical connector hold it in. It's on the right side of the driver's foot well. It takes about 15-30 minutes to replace. Do it yourself. $500 is a joke for such an easy repair. If you need any pictures or anything let me know.

 

[Lukas2009]

As far as I know, there are two different versions of the blend door actuator.

 

[edwx]

Yes it is simple to replace, and yes there are several different part numbers depending on which vehicle you have. Once I was confident I had the right part, the job went smooth. There are several threads about it. $500 is crazy. I think I got my part from Rockauto for less than $40.

 

[Town]

New to this forum; happy I found it.

I've searched for this issue, and I believe I'm in the right place.

I have a 2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 (I'm not sure about generations as I've seen others write). When I turn my thermostat toward heat, I get the clicking and no heat. As long as the thermostat is in the coldest position, no clicking and I do get the AC. So, three questions, is this likely the heat door/blend door actuator? Is this relatively easy to replace if the only mechanical thing you've done to your vehicle is change a right rear turn signal bulb and added coolant? And, if I can't do it, does $500+tax seem a reasonable price for taking it to Goodyear?

When you turn the manual temperature control to cold a vacuum control shuts off coolant flow to the heater core. So the first check would be to ensure that both heater hoses at the firewall are hot when the engine is up to temperature and the temperature control is set to warm the vehicle. If they are cold then the problem may be a stuck valve, vacuum control problem or a blockage in the cooling system. I don't know if any of these would cause a clicking sound.

The manual temperature control system has one blend door actuator called the "Left Hand Temperature Blend Door Actuator" while the electronic system has that one plus a second blend door actuator called the "Right Hand Temperature Blend Door Actuator". Here is the procedure to replace the Left hand blend door actuator:

"Removal and Installation

Remove the LH floor console finish panel.

Position the in-vehicle temperature sensor aspirator hose away from the LH temperature blend door actuator.

Remove the 3 LH temperature blend door actuator screws.

Disconnect the LH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.

Remove the LH temperature blend door actuator.

To install, reverse the removal procedure."

Unfortunately, sometimes the actuator is working and the problem is in the blend door itself. The door drive may be broken.

Good luck.

 

[willied]

When you turn the manual temperature control to cold a vacuum control shuts off coolant flow to the heater core. So the first check would be to ensure that both heater hoses at the firewall are hot when the engine is up to temperature and the temperature control is set to warm the vehicle. If they are cold then the problem may be a stuck valve, vacuum control problem or a blockage in the cooling system. I don't know if any of these would cause a clicking sound.

The manual temperature control system has one blend door actuator called the "Left Hand Temperature Blend Door Actuator" while the electronic system has that one plus a second blend door actuator called the "Right Hand Temperature Blend Door Actuator". Here is the procedure to replace the Left hand blend door actuator:

"Removal and Installation

Remove the LH floor console finish panel.

Position the in-vehicle temperature sensor aspirator hose away from the LH temperature blend door actuator.

Remove the 3 LH temperature blend door actuator screws.

Disconnect the LH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.

Remove the LH temperature blend door actuator.

To install, reverse the removal procedure."

Unfortunately, sometimes the actuator is working and the problem is in the blend door itself. The door drive may be broken.

Good luck.

The fact that it's clicking should indicate that it's the gear inside the actuator that is partially stripped, at least that's how it was for mine. Although there may be another problem that made the actuator's gear strip. But replacing the blend door actuator fixed my problem.

 

[Town]

Here is a thread showing the valve and its location on the V6 to shut off coolant flow to the heater core when the temperature selector is set to cold: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370655

 

[JasmineMcDonald]

Thank you everyone for your guidance. I was able to replace the blend door actuator in my Explorer yesterday. Finally, heat! All in all, I saved $450. So, very happy for your advice and the beauty of Googling! Take care.

 

[willied]

That's great to hear! Glad we could help.

 

[vargaslei]

Hello everyone I am new to this thread and wanted to know if anyone can help me. I have no heat coming out. I have read the treads that say it could be the blend door actuator. There are many different kinds for the same year. I don't know which part number it is since I have not removed it from my car yet. I have a 06 XLS explorer V6.
Thank you and hope to hear from you.

 

[edwx]

Check out this thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298538

Mine is also a '06 XLS. I put my vin# in at fordparts.com and it narrowed it down to, I believe, a Motorcraft part # YH-1744.

http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/C...itSearch=1&keyword=blend door actuator#Search

 

[vargaslei]

06 explorer xls v6 coolant type

I have notice that the coolant is low. What type of coolant do I use to refill my radiator back to normal?

 

[Ornery]

If you have a trusted mechanic, have him test for a radiator leak, and/or head gasket leak. In the mean time, you could add premixed coolant. If you intend to have it flushed, or replace the radiator, just use water.

 

[Town]

I have notice that the coolant is low. What type of coolant do I use to refill my radiator back to normal?

Are you looking at the coolant level in the overflow bottle or the rad when cap is removed? If it is the overflow bottle the proper cold and hot levels are marked. If the coolant in the rad itself is low it can affect the flow through the heater core and not allow any heat. Check the heater hoses to the firewall that they are both hot to the touch.

The coolant that you add is somewhat dependent upon what colour the current coolant is. It should be a yellow colour. Fill the rad to the top with at least a 50/50 mixture of Ford coolant (Motorcraft Premium Gold) which is a yellow colour. If only the bottle is low then just top up to the line.

If your coolant is green or any colour other than yellow then it needs to be flushed and filled with a known product that is compatible with Motorcraft Premium Gold. There are a lot of different formulations on the market that can damage your cooling system, especially gaskets and seals.

Good luck.

 

[blakusta]

I literally just replaced this in my 2007 XLT today. It was clicking when you tried to adjust the heat. I paid 100 bucks for the new one, and while it is a little bit of a pain in the butt it isn't very hard and takes no knowledge about cars to replace. Unplug, remove bolts, replace.

 

[EXPLORERMI07]

So, I just bought an 07 limited. It had dual electronic controls. On the passenger side, when I have the heat on, it blows warm, than it gets colder. Drivers side seems fine. About a month ago we had a real warm spell. I had the air on. On the drivers side cold air, passenger side heat.