SSM 49264 - Climate Control Temperature Will Not Adjust With Clicking/Snapping Noise From The Dash

[Frenchy]

So this has now happened on my truck. Just over 41k miles on it, and just past 41 months of ownership, so I don't believe I can even purchase an extended warranty / service plan in the first place... but even if I could, I'm still not sure I would. The video back on like page 6 of this thread looks like a great first step - even if it's a band-aid... swapping out that blend door actuator once a year at $60/part I'll still save money (even if I keep the truck 10 more years) over trying to buy a warranty or paying out of pocket to have the entire box replaced with dash removal etc.

I'm frustrated about this - I really don't want to have the dash out at all because it's a near guarantee that things will rattle afterwards... stuff will get broken, things will not be re-installed exactly as they were, etc. I'm not afraid to do the whole dash-out job myself, but I'm going to try swapping just the actuator first.

For anyone who has swapped the actuator: how much time did that buy? Have you had to replace it again?

And for anyone looking for part numbers: AB3Z19E616B is the actuator that controls the hot/cold blend on the driver side.

If the HVAC box is warped I can promise the actuator by itself will not help. Best option is to get the HVAC Distribution Box replaced

Sponsored

 

[Muffin1]

So this has now happened on my truck. Just over 41k miles on it, and just past 41 months of ownership, so I don't believe I can even purchase an extended warranty / service plan in the first place... but even if I could, I'm still not sure I would. The video back on like page 6 of this thread looks like a great first step - even if it's a band-aid... swapping out that blend door actuator once a year at $60/part I'll still save money (even if I keep the truck 10 more years) over trying to buy a warranty or paying out of pocket to have the entire box replaced with dash removal etc.

I'm frustrated about this - I really don't want to have the dash out at all because it's a near guarantee that things will rattle afterwards... stuff will get broken, things will not be re-installed exactly as they were, etc. I'm not afraid to do the whole dash-out job myself, but I'm going to try swapping just the actuator first.

For anyone who has swapped the actuator: how much time did that buy? Have you had to replace it again?

And for anyone looking for part numbers: AB3Z19E616B is the actuator that controls the hot/cold blend on the driver side.

If your concerned about the reassembly and any negatives i can respond back here with a review after i get my truck back from the dealer as they are doing the repair as directed by SSM 49264.
Now if the fix was as easy as the actuator only Ford we be doing it that way, but like Frenchy said above its not, the actuator will be stressed out and break again.
Before you try your fix contact Ford customer service and explain the issue and your knowledge that it is somewhat common you don't have a warranty and would like assistance in the cost of the repair, other members have reported that they helped out, if that fails then you can try your other options.
I'm hoping the squeak thing that people are worried about (incl me) is a non issue.

 

[Frenchy]

If your concerned about the reassembly and any negatives i can respond back here with a review after i get my truck back from the dealer as they are doing the repair as directed by SSM 49264.
Now if the fix was as easy as the actuator only Ford we be doing it that way, but like Frenchy said above its not, the actuator will be stressed out and break again.
Before you try your fix contact Ford customer service and explain the issue and your knowledge that it is somewhat common you don't have a warranty and would like assistance in the cost of the repair, other members have reported that they helped out, if that fails then you can try your other options.
I'm hoping the squeak thing that people are worried about (incl me) is a non issue.

It's not that it stresses the actuator. The actuator arm no longer makes contact with the door cam on the HVAC Distribution Box due to the Box Warping. That is what happened on mine and it's a pain in the ass to deal with when traveling.

 

[Muffin1]

It's not that it stresses the actuator. The actuator arm no longer makes contact with the door cam on the HVAC Distribution Box due to the Box Warping. That is what happened on mine and it's a pain in the ass to deal with when traveling.

Oh ok i stand corrected, lol.

 

[quangdog]

I’m perfectly happy to try changing out just the actuator first. Already ordered the part. If that does not resolve it, or if the problem returns quickly, then it’ll be on to full dash-out work.

 

[Frenchy]

I’m perfectly happy to try changing out just the actuator first. Already ordered the part. If that does not resolve it, or if the problem returns quickly, then it’ll be on to full dash-out work.

I get a simple way for you to do this without even having to order the part. Simply crawl under the dash and look at the actuator. With key on simply move the driver's temp and watch the actuator move and notice how the cam for the door does not move. That will tell you all you need to know

 

[EJH]

So this has now happened on my truck. Just over 41k miles on it, and just past 41 months of ownership, so I don't believe I can even purchase an extended warranty / service plan in the first place... but even if I could, I'm still not sure I would. The video back on like page 6 of this thread looks like a great first step - even if it's a band-aid... swapping out that blend door actuator once a year at $60/part I'll still save money (even if I keep the truck 10 more years) over trying to buy a warranty or paying out of pocket to have the entire box replaced with dash removal etc.

I'm frustrated about this - I really don't want to have the dash out at all because it's a near guarantee that things will rattle afterwards... stuff will get broken, things will not be re-installed exactly as they were, etc. I'm not afraid to do the whole dash-out job myself, but I'm going to try swapping just the actuator first.

For anyone who has swapped the actuator: how much time did that buy? Have you had to replace it again?

And for anyone looking for part numbers: AB3Z19E616B is the actuator that controls the hot/cold blend on the driver side.

Man that sucks Quangdog.

Does your HVAC not adjust temp any more, or does it work and you're just getting a popping or clicking sound?.

 

[quangdog]

Man that sucks Quangdog.

Does your HVAC not adjust temp any more, or does it work and you're just getting a popping or clicking sound?.

I have an update: The behaviour is that when first starting up the truck and on drives of less than 15ish mins or so, the climate control seems to work fine. Set it to something like 70ºF, on full auto, and it does its thing. If I go on a longer drive (for instance, I drove 5ish hours yesterday to visit relatives for New Years) then it will periodically start blowing very warm/hot air out of the driver-side vents only. If I don't touch it, the whole truck cab gets very warm and uncomfortable, despite cold air coming out of the passenger vents. Even if I set it to "Lo" on the driver side, it blows hot/warm. If I turn the fan all the way to the lowest setting and close the air vents on the driver side entirely, then the truck will sort of become bearable to ride in. After some time, eventually the air coming out (or trying to come out) of the driver's side gets cooler again, and I can put it back on auto. Sometimes it'll be fine on auto for more than an hour, sometimes it gets hot again after just a few minutes.

Based on some suggestions on this forum and elsewhere I opted to start by swapping out the blend door motor on the driver's side, hoping that would fix the issue... but unfortunately it did not make any difference. I swapped the motor yesterday morning, then took the 5 hour drive mentioned above. About half of the drive was really uncomfortable.

Here's a video of the new blend door motor doing it's thing after I installed it:


Looks like my next plan is to call one of my local dealers to see how many weeks out they are to get me in for an estimate. *sigh*

 

[Frenchy]

I have an update: The behaviour is that when first starting up the truck and on drives of less than 15ish mins or so, the climate control seems to work fine. Set it to something like 70ºF, on full auto, and it does its thing. If I go on a longer drive (for instance, I drove 5ish hours yesterday to visit relatives for New Years) then it will periodically start blowing very warm/hot air out of the driver-side vents only. If I don't touch it, the whole truck cab gets very warm and uncomfortable, despite cold air coming out of the passenger vents. Even if I set it to "Lo" on the driver side, it blows hot/warm. If I turn the fan all the way to the lowest setting and close the air vents on the driver side entirely, then the truck will sort of become bearable to ride in. After some time, eventually the air coming out (or trying to come out) of the driver's side gets cooler again, and I can put it back on auto. Sometimes it'll be fine on auto for more than an hour, sometimes it gets hot again after just a few minutes.

Based on some suggestions on this forum and elsewhere I opted to start by swapping out the blend door motor on the driver's side, hoping that would fix the issue... but unfortunately it did not make any difference. I swapped the motor yesterday morning, then took the 5 hour drive mentioned above. About half of the drive was really uncomfortable.

Here's a video of the new blend door motor doing it's thing after I installed it:


Looks like my next plan is to call one of my local dealers to see how many weeks out they are to get me in for an estimate. *sigh*

Yep, those are the symptoms of the HVAC Distribution Box being Warped. You can install 10 actuators and still get the same results

 

[Muffin1]

So i finally got my truck back after 3 weeks, one of which was due to the dealer being shut down for a week due to flooding in the area from a heavy rain storm that moved through and the rivers in the area commonly overflow their banks so this particular dealer has a good plan to move their fleet to higher ground but they lose that time operating service & sales.
The remaining two weeks was mostly waiting for parts, it was in reality a full day to do the repair, it was covered under the extended warranty except for my $100 ded, i used my Ford pass rewards balance and that left me with a $31 OOP charge.
The service Dept was great they provided a loaner and no hassle with the warranty.
There are no signs of interior damage or noticeable squeaks or rattles from the disassembly and the heat was blowing super hot once again.

 

[airline tech]

Yep, those are the symptoms of the HVAC Distribution Box being Warped. You can install 10 actuators and still get the same results

Great reference video, but ONE key item that was missed when removing multiple connectors and hardware for ease of reinstalling it, I highly recommend the following.

1. Identify (Mark) each connector with a numbering or lettering system on both sides of the connection. (Trust Me this helps)
This will easily identify where each connector goes, rather than scratching your head, where does this connector go.

2. Separate the removed hardware into disposable cups / zip lock bags and label them.
This way you know exactly which bolts goes where (Such as HVAC - Lower Brackets) and you are not rummaging through the hardware bucket going (It looks like this) I am missing one.

 

[RangerJ]

This just happened to my 2019 Lariat where the driver side only blows hot air, passenger side is cold, but no audible noise. I called Ford and the rep told me multiple times without a formal recall, there is nothing they can / will do so you're stuck with the bill.

 

[EJH]

This just happened to my 2019 Lariat where the driver side only blows hot air, passenger side is cold, but no audible noise. I called Ford and the rep told me multiple times without a formal recall, there is nothing they can / will do so you're stuck with the bill.

That is unfortunately true with Ford. A few folks have been able to get some assistance, but it is not common.

With Subaru, at least our dealer, a TSB repair outside of warranty is covered by Subaru. It should be the same with Ford.

I love my truck, and my family wants other Fords in the future (Bronco and a Raptor), but both Ford's dealer network and cheapness make me hesitate.

 

[Frenchy]

This just happened to my 2019 Lariat where the driver side only blows hot air, passenger side is cold, but no audible noise. I called Ford and the rep told me multiple times without a formal recall, there is nothing they can / will do so you're stuck with the bill.

Being a 2019 if you do not have an extended warranty that is pretty much it. A pain yes, but what it is

 

[Frenchy]

That is unfortunately true with Ford. A few folks have been able to get some assistance, but it is not common.

With Subaru, at least our dealer, a TSB repair outside of warranty is covered by Subaru. It should be the same with Ford.

I love my truck, and my family wants other Fords in the future (Bronco and a Raptor), but both Ford's dealer network and cheapness make me hesitate.

A TSB is different than a Recall and may not be covered if the vehicle is out of warranty. Exclusions would be if the Manufacturer decides otherwise.

Sponsored