HVAC Passenger Temp Actuator Replacement - Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum

dougbaker78 · #1 06-19-2009, 03:59 PM

The Passenger Side Temperature Actuator went out in my 2003 Trailblazer. The passenger side and rear vents blew heater air instead of air conditioned air.
I removed the glove box and found the actuator to the left center behind the radio on the passenger side.

How I did it:
Unplug the actuator. Using a 5.5 mm extended socket on a screw driver remove the two screws. Now use some force to pull on the metal bracket on the outside of actuator enough to wiggle the actuator out of the plastic door gear. The old actuator has a tighter fit than the new one. I replaced the actuator, but the air was still not working correctly. So I took the actuator out again and turned the plastic door gear until I had cold air coming from the vents. I replaced the new actuator and noticed it calibrated to the correct setting and screwed it down.

Be careful of your knuckles as you pull on the bracket. Notice red stuff on the back of bracket.

Next job is to replace the vent blower for the various speeds, My #5 is out.
Then I will replace the window regulator and motor when the part comes in.

thanks to all for helping me with this job-it saved me a lot of money and will keep me cool in the Bakersfield 100 degree heat this summer.

J Baker

dougbaker78 · #2 06-19-2009, 04:41 PM

I just finished replacing temp actuator on passenger side and need to put back the glove box. My husband disconnected the air bag connectors and is not here right now. What are the steps on connecting these-I don't want it to deploy.

J Baker

the roadie · #3 06-19-2009, 05:03 PM

I moved your post here so as to not hijack the other thread about dashboard replacement.

Best safety for airbag connectors is to disconnect the negative side of the battery, wait 10 minutes, then plug in the air bag connectors. Still keep your body and tools out of the deployment region, just in case. I've never heard of one accidentally deploying here on trailvoy in four years, but you're right to be cautious.

Thanks for the temp actuator update.

On blower speed 5, you're changing the resistor pack, not the blower motor itself, right?

dougbaker78 · #4 06-19-2009, 05:07 PM

I replaced the resistor pack. I found Sticky's post on replacing it. It works great now.

My next task is to replace the window regulator-but will have to wait for the right (I wanted the left side back window) one to come in.

Thanks for your help

Julie

filthyfingers · #5 06-21-2009, 07:41 AM

Too weird! Same problems as my 2002. Crazy airflow/temp on the passenger side, resistor pack, and rear left window regulator. Whatever I get - you get. So get ready, your upstream O2 sensor is about to go south - just replaced mine

ukxpat · #6 12-12-2009, 11:28 AM

Looks like you cut the metal dash support to move it out of the way of the accuator mounting screw? Any issues with it's strength afterwards?

02TrailblazerEX · #7 04-21-2010, 11:42 PM

My 02 Trailblazer EXT is experiencing the same problem with my passenger side air only blowing hot regardless of what the temperature is set to. I would love to replace it since I live in AZ and it's starting to hit the 90's. I was wondering if you have the part number to the passenger side temperature actuator? Thanks.

dougbaker78 · #8 04-24-2010, 03:05 PM

I do not have the part number for my 03 trailblazer. I would take out the old one to make sure you get the correct part. There are 3 or 4 different actuators behind the dash, so make sure you match part numbers.
I bought the part at the dealer, its pricey, but worth it especially if you use your air daily like we do in Bakersfield. It is a tight fit to get the passenger side actuator out, you have to get your hand between the support beam and the part itself. My husband couldn't get his hands in good enough to get a hold of the actuator to pull it out, so I got my knuckles banged up instead.

Good Luck

Julie

Copeland · #9 05-28-2010, 10:04 PM

Well I started to tackle my passenger temp actuator repair/replacement this afternoon after several months of cooler weather finally ran out. Just as Roadie's photos showed, there is a metal strut exactly in the way of the second screw holding the actuator in place. I don't have anything to cut out an access to the screw so I just took the one screw out and then wiggled the actuator. In my 2004 Envoy's actuator there is a plastic plug on the face of the body which has a notch in it. I turned it with my flathead screw driver about an 1/8 turn and there was some resistance so I don't know if I turned the shaft inside the unit or not, but I started the truck and turned on the a/c and it is working now! Cool air comes out of the passenger vents plus the back seat vents where before hot air from hell did. I guess I freed the mechanism from some kind of bind, but I'm sure glad because I couldn't have removed that second screw without cutting some metal. Hope this helps inspire the next guy to try this before getting extreme. I know I didn't "fix" anything but it's working now and I'll take it.

drewlandoll · #10 07-29-2010, 08:02 PM

i have the same problem as you all have had, i am having a hell of a time getting the dang thing out. i cant get to the bottom left screw, so i thought that i would try to move the actuator by hand. i tried to move the round gear looking thing with a large flat head screw driver - but it wouldn't budge and I TRIED. any ideas how to get it to move, or how to manually set it on cold? I will move it later in the winter.

Please help, my car is disassembled in the driveway.