2004 trailblazer ext LS fresh air actuator problems.

[Trent 2004]

So i just bought 2004 trailblazer ext LS and something is going on with my fresh air door actuator. Do to previous actuator problems i have had im guessing that the shaft to the actuator motor has stripped out in the gear because i can hear the motor running all the time and the fresh air door seems to be opening and closing constantly without me touching anything.

So my main question here is can i replace this actuator without pulling the entire Dash out?

 

[Mooseman]

Are you talking about the recirculation air door? If that's the case, I don't think anybody knows because it's not one that usually fails due to low use/wear. Haven't heard of anyone having to replace that one. Here's a post on the actuator locations in general.
a/c control issues 2005 TB

Maybe it can be reached through the glove box or possibly though the top after removing the defroster/speaker cover.

Having removed the dash to replace the evaporator, I know it is a long slog, taking a whole day but since you wouldn't have to pull the HVAC unit itself, it would be less than that.

 

[Trent 2004]

Yeah i am talking about the recirculation air door. But from looking at that diagram you posted its not looking like i could get to it through the glove box.
And how bad was it to keep from braking a bunch of clips and stuff when you pulled your dash out?

 

[Mooseman]

Not that bad really. Since you aren't taking out the HVAC, you probably won't need to take out the metal brace neither. Here's what I followed at the time (for an envoy but basically the same thing):
Removing dashboard and replacing evaporator - Chevy TrailBlazer ...

It it were me, after going through all that, I would go ahead and replace all the actuators as they are probably not in any better shape.

 

[Trent 2004]

Well by that post it doesn't look bad at all just to get the dash pad off and it does look like i could get to everything without taking all the metal stuff off
And yeah i agree i believe im going to order all acdelco and replace all 5 of them while I'm in there.
I appreciate all the help man that diagram with all the part numbers made finding the actuators way! easier

 

[Trent 2004]

Okey so the answer is NO on being able to get to the recirculate / fresh air actuator without pulling the dash out. But you only have to take the dash cover off, not all the metal supports behind it. Once the Dash cover is off, it is still hard to get to, but you can get to it with a 5.5mm socket with abought a 10" extension and a 5.5mm wrench and a little bit of patience. Lol

Before starting any thing, take the shifter and put it in to Drive and then disconnect the battery, because it has got to move but once the battery is unplugged it won't come out of park if you leave it there. Lol

make sure you take all 4 steering column bolts out so that it can drop way down to get out of the way for the dash pad to come out easy.

And on the air bag just unplug it, and take the 2 bolts holding it to the (DASH FRAME) out, leave it connected to the dash pad it just comes out with it.

And i removed the center console so that i could vacuum under it but you may be able to leave it in. Not sure on that one.
Everything else is pretty self explanatory. The gauge cluster and radio and AC controls all have got to come out. Tha A pillar covers just pop off and the cove up by the windshield also just pops off.