The actuator above the acceleratetor is called the Mode, the one mid dash behind the radio is the Blend. Blend operates heat and air Mode operates vent selection. Great vid, just what I was looking for. I suffer from the dreaded foam problem!
Thanks! It took me a long time to find this video but this looks way better than pulling the dash off. Pretty sure I have the same problem as I can hear the door trying to move and then just going back to vent. If I can get ahold of a scoping camera it would be interesting to see if I can diagnose the problem before pulling it apart. I'll let you know how I make out.
Thanks again Blake, it took about two hours to pull the radio out to access the hvac shroud. I was able to wedge my fingers in and peel the loose foam out with my fingertips. I also pulled out the mode actuator motor above the gas pedal and checked/cleaned/lubed it and its all working like it should.
Thanks for the video, I just finished checking mine and the doors are working proper. If I switch to fresh air, I get lots of air blowing through the defrost but when I switch to heat, there is very little. I am thinking it is blocked somewhere else, any thoughts where to look?
Hey Blake, I am in the similar situation and hoping for some advice. During a real cold snap up in Canada I jumped in the truck and went to switch the air flow to defrost mode. I heard a 'snap' and wasn't able to get the air to go anywhere but through the front vents. At the start of my looking around I thought I was in luck and only needed to change the actuator. Turns out my actuator works just fine. When I have it out it moves around with no problem. I can hear a piece of plastic rolling around when the actuator is installed which I am guessing is one of those levers on the air plenum. Unfortunately its really hard to see up there. I'm going to try and see if one of those inspection cameras can provide a bit better of a view. I was gearing up to pull the whole dash out to change the plenum but thought wow, maybe I can just change a lever arm. I ordered a new plenum and have that ready to go. What do you suggest? I am just worried that the foam may have fallen in as well which caused the actuator to put stress on the lever and break it. Would sure be terrible to change the lever arm and have the actuator break it again. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Planning to try and tackle this problem next weekend. Andrew
Hey Andrew, it's been a while since I was in to this one but from memory, a much better place to start is to inspect the door and foam area as shown in the video. If you can remove the foam and move the door freely by hand a number of times, I would feel ok replacing the actuator and lever at that point, assuming you have access. That was a very long sentence. Hopefully that gives you some direction. Thanks for watching!
I am in the EXACT situation described! I am relieved the find someone else has encountered those lever arm broken on the plenum. Searching for any way possible to not needing to remove the entire dash. Can the mode door and levers be somewhat accessed from the duct route in this video?
Bro, I need your help. I can't figure out for the life of me why when I select defrost/floor, the actuator selects my vent to panel. I just replaced my actuator and I literally laid under the driver's side dashboard and looked at the space between the actuator and where it attached to the blower door and I watched the actuator move the greased white piece that is attached to the door of the vent selector. The door is moving freely and not binding at all. It's just that the wrong vents are being selected. Also, the actuator and the white piece attached to the door handle can only install one way, so I'm stumped at this moment. 🤔 my truck is a 2008 f150 4.6 litre triton. Thanks
