Heater clicking on 2003 Explorer...blend door actuator

[titans13]

Hi all...

I landed here via Google and registered. My wife's Explorer has this issue which is apparently a semi-common problem. We live in Tennessee and the cold will be creeping in on us soon.

I did browse some threads but they were quite old and most of the pictures/videos are now missing. I was curious as to if there was newer information on a DIY fix for this issue.

Thanks to all in advance. I'll be honest...I am in IT and don't get my hands very dirty during the day, but I just fixed her blower motor resistor two months ago Before I even start down this road I want to get all my ducks in a row.

Woody

 

[EasyRhino]

Do you have the rear AC option?

Which blend door actuator is doing the clicking - the front one (under the dash just inboard of the driver's gas pedal) or the rear one (for the optional rear AC, which is behind the cargo left cover panel)?

Assuming it is the front one, try this thread - best write up ever on this problem. Guys here have figured out the best way to do this somewhat tedious job (and certainly previously painful before folks here got thier heads around it).

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294140

Rest assured that trying to replace it any other way has a high chance of being much much harder. As you can see it is not that technically hard of a fix, and just needs a few small tools that you may need. At any rate it is far cheaper than the several hundred your dealership will want to replace it.

If not the front one, let us know.

Either way, be sure to support the site for all the money and suffering it will save you.

 

[titans13]

sounds like a plan

Thanks so much. At the risk of sounding even more like a softy, I just e-mailed my dad a link to the thread as I believe he may have every one of the tools required. I will see how we are with those and if we have them all will proceed.

EasyRhino, thanks so much!!!

 

[EasyRhino]

Thanks so much. At the risk of sounding even more like a softy, I just e-mailed my dad a link to the thread as I believe he may have every one of the tools required. I will see how we are with those and if we have them all will proceed.

EasyRhino, thanks so much!!!

Don't thank me, thank BigRondo who put up that excellent post of greatest hits/lessons learned of a 'used to be bad' job.

Now go get that thing fixed before it gets cold back there. My sister there tells me it's beginning to take a bit of a chill.

 

[my1zamboni]

I did this fix in under 2 hours.
This included cleaning under the console, and cleaning the console while it was out.
If you pop off the radio trim panel you do not need to cut the dash. You can get to the screws that way with finger tips.
Big Rondo has an amazing write up (linked above) and it is so easy to follow.
Good luck.

 

[BigRondo]

Bump for an update.

 

[ROBS]

Just replaced my blend door actuator per your thread. Instuctions worked to a t. The only thing I did different was step 14 c. I grabbed 2 cold ones. Thanks fer yer help.

 

[BigRondo]

Just replaced my blend door actuator per your thread. Instuctions worked to a t. The only thing I did different was step 14 c. I grabbed 2 cold ones. Thanks fer yer help.

Welcome aboard!

Glad you got it fixed. :biggthump

Nice job with step 14 c.