Clonk sound under glove box

[Jerome Nicolazo]

Hi there...
New owner of 1996 Explorer Eddie Bauer 160k miles here...
There's a few issues I know I have to fix on my big baby... like the horn not working, the open door sign always on, the miles meter not working etc...
But this one I wasn't aware of when I bought the car...
There's a regular "clonk" sound coming from the black molding under the glove box on the passenger side... with a lapse of 3 seconds between each clonk...
It sounds like something is turning ans is missing teeth on a gear and so can't lock...
I've tried rapidly to trace the origin of the sound...
. It's here wether the car is parked or driving
. It's here as soon as i turn on the contact (engine not running)
. It seems to disappear when i turn on the heater on full blast... heat is working fine though

It doesn't seem to affect anything (so far)
At one point I thought it could be the miles-meter wire since it's not working but it wouldn't make any sense since the sound is there even when the wheels are not working...
. Wipers and wash fluid pump are working fine...

If anybody has any idea I would appreciate very much...
Thanks guys..

 

[MAS Tequila]

Blend door actuator, it has 4-5 gears in it.

There is one in the middle that breaks.

The Motorcraft replacement wasn't terribly priced.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...conditioning,heater+blend+door+actuator,10721

 

[Jerome Nicolazo]

Blend door actuator, it has 4-5 gears in it.

There is one in the middle that breaks.

The Motorcraft replacement wasn't terribly priced.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...conditioning,heater+blend+door+actuator,10721

Wow... there's some knowledgeable people around here... thanks a bunch man

 

[Jerome Nicolazo]

For those who might have the same issue ... the vid for changing the "stuff"

 

[allmyEXes]

Question??? Do all Gen2s have the same Blend Door Actuator?

 

[koda2000]

Question??? Do all Gen2s have the same Blend Door Actuator?

As far as I know Ford did not change the blend door actuator design/fitment between '95-'01, but there are two different actuators. There is one for the EATC HVAC (automatic) controls and another for the manual controls. They look the same externally, but they are not interchangeable. A far as I know all EB's and Limited's have the automatic controls. I just installed (and reviewed) the Dorman 604-201 actuator which I recently installed in my '01 EB. It's only around $14 on Amazon and so far it's working okay. With Amazon points it cost me under $4 so I figured I'd give it a try.

OP - I suggest you read my review on installation and unit fitment. Link below.

Dorman 604-201 EATC Blend Door Actuator review