Has anyone had any luck replacing the recirculation actuator without removing the dash? Any way found to fix the noise without replacing the actuator? Maybe hold the door in the open position and remove the plug from the actuator?

 

Hi Chevyred, to the forums!!

If you're referring to removing the waterfall, it is quite easy.

#38 and #10 are the actuators listed, so you're probably not asking about the waterfall.

 

I have replaced both of mine in the past, really a no brainer....very easy and you do not have to remove anything to get to them, one is under dash above floor driver side and the other is behind the glove box.

 

It’s a 4.5 mm bolt head holding the actuator in place

 

[QUOTE=RJ_RS_SS_350;832147]Hi Chevyred, to the forums!!

If you're referring to removing the waterfall, it is quite easy.

#38 and #10 are the actuators listed, so you're probably not asking about the waterfawaterfa

 

#38 is the actuator for the fresh/recirc blend door. If it's some other part you're looking for, you're going to have to tell us what it is, you haven't said what problem you're facing.

 

Thanks to all that replied. The actuator's at the bottom of the heater box are blend doors. The recirc door actuator is high up on the heater box on the right. AutoZone says to remove dash and loosen heater box. I was hoping for an easier fix from a better mechanic than myself.

 

see post #3

 

His problem sound like mine was, the actuator motor never stops running. make noise all the time and never seems to reach its limit to stop. Mine had a stripped gear inside.

 

I see this post isn't that old...so here goes. My '09 made a new sound today. When I start it up, the heat / air is always on outside air, regardless of what it was on when I turned it off last.
Start up the car and "tap, tap, tap, tap" sound. 19 times, always. If I set the dial to dash vents only and I select "recirculate" it stops. If I'm on "recirc" and switch to "outside air", the tap, tap sound starts again. Sounds more like it's from the glove box side of things, when I open the door, and feel the housing. Same issue? Actuator?
If this is the issue, are the motor(s) available? Dealer only item or aftermarket?
Thanks in advance.