Successful re-index of mode actuator - cheap actuator fix

shadowjig

Original poster
Member
May 20, 2012
6
I recently added an dash mounted headphone jack for my AUX input. I had the dash apart including the HVAC controls disconnected. After putting the dash back together I found that I didn't have air coming from the dash vents......SURPRISE I KNOW the actuator is bad!!!!! I don't think I set all the HVAC controls to their minimum position and I think that's the root cause of the actuator issue.

So after reading this thread (No floor vents - replaced mode actuator - rebuilt defrost actuator still nothing - Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum) from the roadie, I started to understand the design flaws of the actuator which causes our issue.

Based on the roadie's post, I learned that the actuator is just like a servo (like one for remote control cars). It has a potentiometer which moves when the output shaft on the actuator moves. This allows the HVAC control module to determine the position of the actuator at any point in time. The potentiometer signal is used during calibration to determine the how far the actuator needs to move from end to end. The feedback from the potentiometer is stored so the HVAC control module can use it when moving the actuators in the future (until the battery is disconnected from the HVAC module). Based on the roadie's observations, the actuator moves passed the end point of the potentiometer and the HVAC control unit reads this as a short and becomes confused.

With all of this information, I set out to re-index the potentiometer gear (it's the blue one in the pics) on the actuator. Since the potentiometer is just a variable resistor, I used a multimeter to test the resistance. I tested from pins 7 to 10 on the actuator and got ~8K ohms. I tested from pins 7 to 9 and 9 to 10 and got ~0.1k ohms and ~7.9k ohms this indicated that the potentiometer was not centered. I also bought a replacement actuator as a backup just in case. I tested my theory on the new actuator and I got 3.5k ohms on pins 7 and 9, and ~5.6k ohms on pins 9 and 10. They are both fairly close so it's about centered electronically.

View attachment 20909

After opening the old actuator, I checked for cracked or broken gears or motors and they were all intact. The output shaft was also secure to the output gear. If anything is broken or cracked this procedure may not work. You may be able to repair the cracked gear (I've seen a post on this somewhere), but if it breaks loose you will be back in the same position.

Moving on, I pulled the gear in the middle which mates the output gear to the gears on the motor. I also pushed the output shaft into the casing so it was disengaged from the blue gear. Then I was able to turn the blue gear continually and tested pins 7 to 9 and 9 to 10 until they both read approximately the same resistence (which ended up to be around 4.3k ohms). This ensured that at least the potentiometer gear was approximately centered. I pushed the output gear back in place and meshed it with the blue gear. You'll want to make sure that the bottom of the white plastic piece on the outside is horizontal (so it will mesh with the gear in the truck for the air flow door) to the bottom of the actuator case. I basically looked at the new actuator and tried to match it's position. I then pushed the middle gear back into the actuator and closed up the case.

I ended up doing the above twice for the following reason. I didn't know the gear in the truck which moves the air flow door is in the top most position (which I believe sets the air flow to the floor vents) it also felt like the gear in the truck was spring loaded. This is where the position of the white plastic piece is important. I also learned from my first failed attempt that the calibration cycle moves the plastic piece down first then back up (i.e. the output shafts moved clockwise then counter clockwise when looking at the connector side of the actuator).

I put the actuator back in the truck and felt the mesh of the white plastic piece and the gear in the truck. There was a slight gap at the bottom of the white plastic. Since it's a pain to reposition everything in the acutator I tried it in the truck anyway. I bolted the actuator in and inserted the actuator plug. I then replaced the negative battery cable and turned the ignition to ON and let it sit for about 2 minutes. I then turned on the blower and air was coming from both the dash and floor vents. IT WORKED!!! I tested all the modes, recirculation, the defrost vent, and both temperatures (since everything works via an actuator). Everything was good!!!

I hope this saves some folks some $$$$. I also want to thank the roadie for his explaination of the actuator.

Front of old actuator
View attachment 20907

Old on left and new on right. You can use this for comparing the location of the white plastic piece.
View attachment 20908

Tested the resistance between pins 9 and 10.
View attachment 20910

The opened actuator. I borrowed this from the roadie's post.
View attachment 20911
 

Attachments

  • DSCF1708.jpg
    DSCF1708.jpg
    76.1 KB · Views: 65
  • DSCF1711.jpg
    DSCF1711.jpg
    78.8 KB · Views: 53
  • pot.jpg
    pot.jpg
    12.6 KB · Views: 368
  • DSCF1706.jpg
    DSCF1706.jpg
    96.3 KB · Views: 64
  • opened.jpg
    opened.jpg
    64.9 KB · Views: 374

pennywise

Member
Mar 28, 2012
46
Great write-up. Just did this on mine. Had to do both the defroster and floor/vent actuators. I had the battery disconected to replace the APP, never thought the battery being disconected would make the A/C act up. I was looking for a vacuum actuator like on every other vehicle I've ever owned. Couldn't find it so I looked at Rockauto to see what it looked like. Then I found this post. Saved me $80 for 2 actuators plus shipping. F@@king awesome!
 

shadowjig

Original poster
Member
May 20, 2012
6
After re-measuring the resistance on the new actuator again. I noticed that the blue pot gear is more like 60/40 instead of right in the middle. The 40% being between pins 7 and 9, and the 60% being between pins 9 an 10. This is most likely to compensate for the fact that physical setup on a new actuator is to be installed with the mode door all the way to one side. The 60/40 provides a little more "room" (electrically) for the door to calibrate to the opposite side and then back again to finish the calibration.

I'd be interested in finding out the resistance measurements on another new actuator. If anyone else ends up buying a new actuator, could you please measure the resistance and post the results for us.
 

garciarf

Member
Dec 3, 2011
17
So last year I developed the issue with the mode door, however, never got around to fix it since I had little free time. This year I finally purchased all the tools (or borrowed some) and fixed it today.

I used the information found here but I would like to add more information.

1. Tools
-I borrowed a 3/8" drive thumbwheel ratchet, I felt it was a lot easier to remove one of the screws with that one. There is barely enough room for a standard socket + 3/8"->1/4" adapter, so I think that a 1/4" drive would be much better.

-Miniature test clips for the multimeter make it a lot easier, since you can clip the pins and move the pot gear while simultaneously getting a reading on one of the pins, then you only need to remove them for the fine tuning.


2. Values

When out of calibration, the resistance between 2 pins was ~8.64kΩ, no reading between the other 2 (no continuity either, as expected). I did not take note of which pins it was, as I was also troubleshooting the leads on my DMM.

When calibrated, my resistance values were 4.77kΩ and 4.78 kΩ. Close enough.

A CCW rotation of the pot gear resulted in an increase in resistance between pins 9 and 7. The gear is extremely sensitive to changes in the angle.

3. Other recommendations

I put tape on the actuator casing and scribbled some alignment marks on the actuator lever. Even though you can move the potentiometer gear without entirely moving the actuator gear, I decided to be on the safe side.
http://www.felipe-garcia.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20130228-205134.jpg

I also put alignment marks on the pot gear and the motor, I think this is pretty important since the gear can move during re-meshing, this way you can realign it easier should it move too much. After remeshing all the gears and closing the actuator for installation, the resistance between 9 and 7 was at ~4.85kΩ, so there was a minor change. I also wrote down the approximate equal resistance value. This mostly to make my life easier, should I need to fix this actuator again at some point.

This is how I put the alignment, and this was also the position that resulted in approximately the same resistance.
http://www.felipe-garcia.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20130228-205101.jpg

4. Expenses
Craftsman multimeter 82345 - $16
Craftsman DMM test lead kit - $19
Rayovac headlamp - $20
1/4" drive ratchet ~ $10
-------------------------------
Total cost of the fix ~$65

Never got a quote from a dealership, but based on what I've read, I probably saved at least $700.

5. Attributions
"shadowjig"
Bill "the roadie" Carton

//I will embed the images after I resize them.
 

Vettepilot

Member
Aug 7, 2023
4
LHC
Hey guys. I am putting a new gear in mine, and need info on setup/gear alignment.

The info is likely right here, but a lot of the photos will no longer open. They're broken links. Any way to access the pics, or gear alignment info??

Thanks,
Vettepilot
 

TJBaker57

Member
Aug 16, 2015
2,897
Colorado
Hey guys. I am putting a new gear in mine, and need info on setup/gear alignment.

The info is likely right here, but a lot of the photos will no longer open. They're broken links. Any way to access the pics, or gear alignment info??

Thanks,
Vettepilot


I may have some saved images. How about posting a picture of what you have. Specifically an image of the inside of the actuator and which actuator it is?
 

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON

Vettepilot

Member
Aug 7, 2023
4
LHC
EXCELLENT! Thank you! Just what I needed. I'll set it up that way and see what happens.

My actuator had a cracked gear, which I replaced. I experimented with different gear settings until I think I got it centered. But there might be something else wrong with the actuator. While testing it hand held in the truck, it sometimes works perfect, going an equal amount past center on each side when I move the temp control. Then, all of a sudden it quits working, or sometimes will only travel in one direction. It might be bad. I've got a new one coming, but I'm stubborn; I'd still like to repair this one...

How would you know if it's the actuator intermittently not working, or the control unit? When the actuator stops responding, the temp bar starts flashing, indicating a mismatch between the actuator and the control head setting, and making me think the control unit is working ok.

???

1994 GMC K1500 4×4 Temp control.

Vettepilot
 
Last edited:

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
When I get bad actuators, I just replace them. I've never seen the controls flash or anything when one's not working. Even the auto-hvac system. I know to reset them in the system, on the gmt360 platform, you have to pull the HVAC B fuse for a few seconds, turn the key to run and let it relearn the actuators. Could do the same by just disconnecting the battery in yours.
 

TJBaker57

Member
Aug 16, 2015
2,897
Colorado
I have swapped some gears here and there as needed What can I say,,, I'm cheap and if I can extend a devices functionality for a while I'm OK with it.
 

Vettepilot

Member
Aug 7, 2023
4
LHC
Well, yeah, a 12 dollar gear is a better deal than a 35 to 60 dollar actuator, but that's not all. From everything I've learned, except for that drive gear that eventually dries out and cracks, the original, factory actuators are much better quality than the Chinese replacements. Go figure...

Yeah, when my actuator position does not agree with the current setting on the temp range, the whole temp range flashes. When I get the actuator set so that it agrees with the control setting, it stops flashing full scale, and indicates as normal. Kinda neat function actually.

Vettepilot
 

Vettepilot

Member
Aug 7, 2023
4
LHC
Well, I set my gears as shown in the pic, and it worked perfectly while testing, numerous times. Then I installed it but did not screw it in, and tested again. Didn't work at all. Removed it and still would not work. That's what had been happening for me on this. Intermittent operation that I thought was a gear timing issue, but must be a bad solder joint or dirty pot in the actuator. (Yes, my door is free and I can move the shaft easily by hand.)

It's "par for the course" on fixing this truck up; it's giving me fits. Last evening I installed a new rear wheel cylinder. All together and back on the ground and---> new wheel cylinder leaks!! AAARRGGHHH...

New actuator should be here today.

Thanks guys,
Vettepilot
 

Attachments

  • 16916086037844904594903805259576.jpg
    16916086037844904594903805259576.jpg
    76.5 KB · Views: 8

Forum Statistics

Threads
23,273
Posts
637,484
Members
18,472
Latest member
MissCrutcher

Members Online