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

[shovelhd]

My late 2021 Lariat is going to a "local" dealer (I'm driving 40 minutes to avoid the one that's 15 minutes away) for this problem. The service manager knew exactly what the issue was. They have done at least a dozen of them and has one in the shop now. They will try a calibration first before dismantling anything. This will be my first claim on the Granger Ford ESP, which will most likely more than pay for it.

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[Frenchy]

My late 2021 Lariat is going to a "local" dealer (I'm driving 40 minutes to avoid the one that's 15 minutes away) for this problem. The service manager knew exactly what the issue was. They have done at least a dozen of them and has one in the shop now. They will try a calibration first before dismantling anything. This will be my first claim on the Granger Ford ESP, which will most likely more than pay for it.

There's no real calibration. Either it's in working order or it's not as much as I hate to say you are going to need a new HVAC box. A pain yes, but it'll be worth it in the end

 

[shovelhd]

There's no real calibration. Either it's in working order or it's not as much as I hate to say you are going to need a new HVAC box. A pain yes, but it'll be worth it in the end

That's what I figured, but the Service Manager seemed like a straight shooter and I wasn't going to argue with him. I want him to remember that I'm a nice service customer when I bring it back in for the blown transmission

 

[AzScorpion]

My late 2021 Lariat is going to a "local" dealer (I'm driving 40 minutes to avoid the one that's 15 minutes away) for this problem. The service manager knew exactly what the issue was. They have done at least a dozen of them and has one in the shop now. They will try a calibration first before dismantling anything. This will be my first claim on the Granger Ford ESP, which will most likely more than pay for it.

That's surprising because it was only "supposed" to effect all 2019 - through mid 2020 Rangers. They (supposedly) redesigned the heater box from mid 2020's out to alleviate this problem.

 

[Frenchy]

That's surprising because it was only "supposed" to effect all 2019 - through mid 2020 Rangers. They (supposedly) redesigned the heater box from mid 2020's out to alleviate this problem.

I wouldn't be surprised if they still use some of the old batch

 

[shovelhd]

That's surprising because it was only "supposed" to effect all 2019 - through mid 2020 Rangers. They (supposedly) redesigned the heater box from mid 2020's out to alleviate this problem.

I know. Maybe it's just an actuator or two. I could scan it with Forscan but this issue doesn't always throw codes. It is what it is, and why I bought the ESP.

 

[AzScorpion]

I wouldn't be surprised if they still use some of the old batch

I'd hope not but who knows now a days!

I know. Maybe it's just an actuator or two. I could scan it with Forscan but this issue doesn't always throw codes. It is what it is, and why I bought the ESP.

I had it happen on my '19 and it never threw a code. Just some clicking one day than a few days later hot air coming though the drivers side vents. Of course it was 105 that day and we were coming back from Mexico with 2.5 hours still to go. ? Luckily we rarely needed heat in AZ but for a month or two so I fixed it myself by taking out the actuator then manually flipping the arm (twice a year) from hot to cold.

From what I've seen here the average cost ranges from $2,500-$3,200 so your ESP will be more than paid for with this one claim. I bought one too but mainly for the transmission, ? or was it the fuel in the oil, no, it was the lopsided bed rails.?

 

[Frenchy]

I'd hope not but who knows now a days!



I had it happen on my '19 and it never threw a code. Just some clicking one day than a few days later hot air coming though the drivers side vents. Of course it was 105 that day and we were coming back from Mexico with 2.5 hours still to go. ? Luckily we rarely needed heat in AZ but for a month or two so I fixed it myself by taking out the actuator then manually flipping the arm (twice a year) from hot to cold.

From what I've seen here the average cost ranges from $2,500-$3,200 so your ESP will be more than paid for with this one claim. I bought one too but mainly for the transmission, ? or was it the fuel in the oil, no, it was the lopsided bed rails.?

Come on now! We all know you got it to cover the tailgate damper!

 

[shovelhd]

I had it happen on my '19 and it never threw a code. Just some clicking one day than a few days later hot air coming though the drivers side vents. Of course it was 105 that day and we were coming back from Mexico with 2.5 hours still to go. ? Luckily we rarely needed heat in AZ but for a month or two so I fixed it myself by taking out the actuator then manually flipping the arm (twice a year) from hot to cold.

If I put the climate control on low temp both sides, then switch them to hi, one side will switch and the other may not, Hit or miss. Sometimes it's the driver's side, other times it's the passenger side. I tested this out quickly when I picked it up at the dealer this past August, but it was OK. It seems to only act up when calling for heat. The last straw was this past weekend. I'm a sports official and had just finished a major international event. I was driving the head international official back to Logan, and I couldn't get his side to stop blowing hot air. My side was freezing.

From what I've seen here the average cost ranges from $2,500-$3,200 so your ESP will be more than paid for with this one claim. I bought one too but mainly for the transmission, ? or was it the fuel in the oil, no, it was the lopsided bed rails.?

Metal in the rear end
Blown driveshaft center bearing
SYNC3 updates
Blah blah blah

Flaws and all, I love this truck. It is a joy to drive, especially on long trips.

 

[EJH]

That's surprising because it was only "supposed" to effect all 2019 - through mid 2020 Rangers. They (supposedly) redesigned the heater box from mid 2020's out to alleviate this problem.

Not true. My 2021 was affected. Earlier Rangers were nearly 100% likely to be affected, later one are hit or miss. My dealer service guy said they actually do this repair across all models, not just Rangers.

FWIW, the service techs (at least at my dealership) seem good at this HVAC replacement. My truck had no adverse affects, no rattling, no missing wires not plugged in. My dealer techs reconnected the TBC, my aux light bar switch and AS/S Eliminator when they put things back together.

The Ford ESP covered it minus my $100 deductible.

 

[AzScorpion]

Not true. My 2021 was affected. Earlier Rangers were nearly 100% likely to be affected, later one are hit or miss. My dealer service guy said they actually do this repair across all models, not just Rangers.

FWIW, the service techs (at least at my dealership) seem good at this HVAC replacement. My truck had no adverse affects, no rattling, no missing wires not plugged in. My dealer techs reconnected the TBC, my aux light bar switch and AS/S Eliminator when they put things back together.

The Ford ESP covered it minus my $100 deductible.

I was going by this NHTSA article. There was another one (which I can't find right now) that said they changed them going forward.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10181907-0001.pdf

Some 2019-2020 Ranger vehicles built on or before 30-Jul-2020 may experience poor and/or no temperature change when the temperature is adjusted in the climate control system. There may also be a clicking/snapping noise from behind the instrument panel.

 

[shovelhd]

I was going by this NHTSA article. There was another one (which I can't find right now) that said they changed them going forward.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10181907-0001.pdf

That's all true. However, I have seen on this forum that a few later models have been affected, even with the updated heater box.

 

[Chatis]

Reading a few threads this appears to be a common issue. Mine is stuck open so I am getting heat all the time from the dash vents. Dealer says between 500 and 1,400 bucks to repair. I don't want them taking the dash out. The threads seem very complicated to try and DIY.

My question is there any way of just getting it unstuck without taking half the interior apart? Can I stick something down the vent to push it? From underneath can I use a coat hanger or wire to pull a linkage to move it? Something simple.

Any help appreciated. Pictures or videos most appreciated.

 

[airline tech]

As you have read through the threads, this can be a few things, the Left Blend Actuator or wiring control to it or the Door itself is binding and blocking the actuator from moving.

What specific did the dealer say they found?
Does the actuator Click/Pop? when trying to adjust the temp?
If YES - then it is getting power, now it's the (flip the coin)? of the actuator or the door or a combo of both.

If only the actuator - it is possible to replace without pulling the dash, but you have to drill a hole in the support bracket to get a regular screwdriver lined up for one of the screws, I have not had to do it but you may be able to get an off-set screwdriver on it or short stubby.
So, you can pull the actuator and attempt to clean & reinstall or replace it, but if the blend door is binding the part will soon fail again.
or
You can just remove the actuator and use a (modification) to manually move the lever open and closed.
There is a post somewhere on here for that (passenger side) similar temp fix.

But the answer to your question - NO there is not an EASY way to do it, the actuator must be removed to manually move the door.

Here are some threads with related information, if you search YouTube there are some videos for the driver's actuator replacement as well.

Blend door actuator replacement w/o pulling the dash. | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

HVAC / Climate Control- Issues - Operation - T-Shoot and Breakdown | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

The Dreaded Blend Door | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

Manually change blend actuator from heat to AC? | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[Jason B]

2019 models are known for warping blend door and plenum. No easy (or cheap) way to fix it.

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