Blend Door Actuator Replacement Cost
The Average Cost to Replace a Blend Door Actuator Is $309-$355, Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance, such as a blower motor replacement or fan motor resistant replacement. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, check out the FIXD Sensor and app!
Get a more accurate estimate for your blend door actuator replacement using FIXD’s Repair Cost Calculator:
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Cost at the Mechanic: $308-$355
- Parts: $130
- Labor: $178-$225
The time it takes for a blend door actuator replacement at the mechanic varies depending on the type of vehicle, your location, and the type of service. Blend door actuator replacement costs might depend on whether the air mixture blend door, mode door, or recirculation blend door needs replacement. Some cars also have more than one blend door actuator, which can double or triple the cost of parts.
Cost to DIY: $130
Replacing a blend door actuator yourself requires a certain amount of mechanical knowledge, including how to access the blend door actuator behind the dashboard. A vehicle’s owner or repair manual can help you determine the best way to do this. Once you get the cover off, you can remove the blend door actuator and replace it with a new one. This can make the blend door actuator replacement cost more affordable than going to a mechanic.
What Is a Blend Door Actuator Replacement?
A blend door actuator controls air temperature and airflow in a vehicle. The blend door actuator responds as you adjust your air conditioning settings. If you turn the temperature control to the cold range, the blend door actuator sends more cold air to the specified air vent. When the heat is turned off, the blend door actuator redirects airflow away from the heater core. Some cars have just one blend door actuator, whereas vehicles with multi-zone climate control may have more.
What Does Blend Door Actuator Replacement Include?
When the blend door actuator fails, the actuator must be recalibrated or replaced. A blend door is a flap that opens and closes inside your car’s ventilation system. The actuator opens and closes this flap as necessary to control airflow through to the vehicle. If the doors stop opening and closing, the actuator might need to be replaced. It’s also common for the actuator’s gear teeth to wear out or break, which can cause a loud noise inside the dashboard when adjusting the climate controls.
A replacement includes either replacing just the gear, the door, or the full actuator. The process of replacing a blend door actuator depends on the number of actuators in the vehicle. It typically involves removing the dashboard, taking out the existing actuator or actuators, and installing a new one. The new actuators also need to be connected to the wiring harness or vacuum hoses that control them.
The professional replacement of a blend door actuator should include an OEM part. While non-OEM parts might be cheaper, they may not fit your vehicle perfectly. Replacing a blend door actuator should take no longer than an hour to complete.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Blend Door Actuator?
There’s no risk of driving with a bad blend door actuator. However, it can make driving uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heat may not function properly, or blow through the selected vents. The most common symptom of a blend door actuator problem is inconsistent airflow.
Sometimes, a broken blend door actuator can also be noisy. Passengers might also be uncomfortable because you can’t direct airflow to specific parts of the cabin. Sometimes, resetting the blend door actuator solves the problem. However, if the airflow is still inconsistent, you might want to replace the actuator, even though driving with a bad blend door actuator won’t affect the vehicle’s performance or condition.
Skipping a blend door actuator replacement could lead to OBD2 codes like B10A8, B12B7, or B104D. Each of these codes usually indicates a problem with the blend door actuator, which affects the HVAC system.
How Often to Replace Blend Door Actuators
There is no timeline for how often you should get a blend door actuator replacement. Some blend door actuators are known to stop working on certain vehicles, while others might last a long time. Any time you notice the symptoms of a faulty blend door actuator, consider having it replaced. Many blend door actuators last the life span of the vehicle.
If you plan to replace your blend door actuator, be sure to choose the right parts to fit your vehicle. When in doubt, always refer to your owner’s manual.
Common Symptoms You Need To Replace Your Blend Door Actuator
- No air conditioning
- No heat
- Failure to blow sufficient heat or air through the vents
- Air blowing through the incorrect vents
- Noisy air conditioning or heat
- Loud noises in the dashboard
- Clicking or knocking noises inside the dashboard
- Inconsistent airflow
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed along with a blend door actuator replacement:
- Resetting or recalibrating the actuator
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