Honda Pilot dashboard clicking noise blend door actuator 

Wanted to share this tip on how to reinstall a blend-door actuator. Just fixed my 2007 MDX driver side. It's a real bear to reach, and I had to do it by touch because I couldn't see up there and could only get one hand on it. So I took photos while working on getting it out so I could find the screws by feel. That worked, but you can't reverse the process. Instead I took three screws about 2 inches long and cut the heads off. Then I screwed them into the mounting holes just one turn or so, leaving them sticking way out of the holes. Now I could easily put the actuator over those screws and get the pins into the door slots. Then I removed the long cutoff screws one-by-one and inserted the original screws (again single-handed and blind). That was easy because the holes were all lined up and the actuator wasn't trying to fall out.

OMG how did you stand on your head to show all that. Really well done video. I liked the stopping points that showed the vital steps. Great job! I think this blend door motor is my culprit. The rattling and chattering noises sounds like I have critters running around up under my dashboard. Thank you for a job well done!

I got the actuator out, cleaned it with alcohol. Redistributed the grease that was inside (it was very clean). Put it back together. My son put it back in place under the dash and it's working perfectly! Thanks EZ Auto

I like the freeze-frame with notes. Very helpful. My only issue is that some of the work was off camera when the hands moved away from the camera's view.

Thank you for this information on video. I have this exact blend door actuator and after discovering the unit was no longer working I performed the cleaning process as you suggested. Afterwards, when testing the unit it worked for about one minute then unfortunately stopped working again. During disassembly and cleaning I noticed on the back side of the large drive wheel that some of the electric copper contact tracks have worn through the protective coating. Hard to see what the naked eye. I could only see the worn pattern using powerful magnifying glass. If these wheels become worn the actuator will need to be replaced.

I really appreciate this video, EZ. I understood and followed the steps you presented and now have a successful repair, but did break a few clips. The annoying critters crunching rocks in the dash are gone! Thank you!

Best how to video , like how there is no talking and just words you have written during the video to explain , 100% , thank you

Thank you! The work to refurbish the actuator is very straight forward as you illustrate in this video. I would rather do this than to buy an aftermarket unit or an OEM replacement.

Perfect video!!!! Bought a 2006 Pilot in July and the actuator door was annoying then. Now that it's cold, it's unbearable! Did this fix today and all is well😄. Thanks a lot!!!

Completed today!!! 0- noise now & saved $$$ Thanks to You Sir!!! Sub’d 😁👍👍

Thanks my friend,clear as water,explained!!

Just noticed the same thing on my 2006 Pilot. Will try this out. Thanks for sharing!

Very helpful!!

Thank you very much for this very helpful video. This is the one that I've been looking for on RU-vid. I'm just wonderfully amazed how you were able to take the video crystal clear. Now, I can do this to my 2004 Honda Pilot. Thank you!

Worked perfect

Thanks a lot for thanking the time for making the video

Awesome video. Going to see if this will fix my 2004 Pilot.

Killer video man I saw and I did the same thank you my friend

Awesome Job!!! Doing this to my 2005 Pilot Now!! 😊👍👍

Very good and detail job.with marking and remove and clean .thank

Thanks for the video. It saved me some money.

PERFECT instructional video. Thank you! I ordered a new actuator, will be installed soon.

Although it was a silent movie , it was very informative thanks 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

This does work but this is not a permanent fix. The problem is the metal brushes actually wear out the contacts on the wheel itself. I actually started doing this for my customers to save them money but in the long run eventually end up replacing the unit.

Bravo for video filming

Stuck on heat. Took it out, took it apart,everything looked good, cleaned it anyway, lubed everything with dielectric, even the run where the arm slides. Works like new. Defies logic.

Big thanks. That makes sense.

Will this also work on the actuator that blends the top vents and floor vents? Thanks

Thanks for this video we needed it :)

Great video. Thank you

Like a charm ! I love this video, many thanks. But still have no idea why it make a noise.

Is the blend actuator the same as the drivers side actuator? I cleaned it off and now something is making that same noise under the dash. I didn’t use the electric grease though.

Thank you so much for share

Super awesome! My 2007 pilot just stared making that noise today. Only if the AC is set to cold it goes away, I’ll try soon.

Does the polarity on the motor matter?

Great vid, will do this to my 2007 Honda Pilot soon. This maybe a silly question, when you set to max cold before removing actuator, you only meant just the dial right? the AC is actually off or on? Also, any chance you can make a video on the door lock actuators/ replacement for the rear passenger doors? Thanks alot

I have a clicking sound in my Accord 10th gen. My dealer said they didn’t hear it but said it was this maybe. It kinda sounds like it. My advisor also said it would require a major job taking the entire dash apart. Is this true? You made it seem simple?

This was great ... thanks so much and extra kudos... question ... heat coming out for back seat area not at all for the front or defroster 🤷🏼‍♀️ both actuators?

Great video! But help me understand your repair. My 2007 Pilot is doing the exact same thing. I thought the worn gear is likely stripped out. However, watching your repair is it just a build up of dirt and old stiff grease? Just needs a good cleaning and new lubrication? Thanks!

Same issue, and same fix applies to similar generation on Honda Odyssey. Source: I've done it.

Hey brother, great video! I have an issue. My actuator wasn't working at all, so I removed it and opened up the module. I cleaned off all the loose grease on the electrical contacts, and made sure none of the teeth on the gears were stripped or broken. The gears looked and worked fine. Reinstalled and now the actuator only initializes to one certain position...and stays there forever. No matter where I position the arm, once I turn on the car, it always goes back to that one same position, then never responds to any climate control commands. Is the actuator broken or is there some sort of reset procedure I need to do? The motor should be fine since the arm swings...but it seems like it has a memory and only goes to one spot. Any ideas? Thanks.

hey. I found out that my blend door aculator is out of order/cycle. I searched so much on RU-vid and google. My aculator would think that it is on max cold or hot but be on the wrong direction it is pointing at. When I try to align it to the flips it does not match/fit. Is there any way to rest the aculator. Thank you for you support.

Can you still repair it if the actuator already stop working?

Hello EZ auto. My Honda Pilot 2006 is making clicking noises too when temp control knob is turned. Mechanic said the blend door actuator needs replacing for it has now stopped blowing cool air ( only hot air in all vents) regardless of temp change but the back control blows cool air. Right now, it is working fine for the mechanic said he manually adjusted it. Am confused now what needs to be replaced after calling different auto parts sales. There's temp control main door actuator, mode actuator etc. I do not know what the part number is called either. Your assistance on this is very much appreciated.

Great video. I am too getting the noise clicking when I try to change the temperature, but I am also experiencing no air coming through the two vents under the radio. When I clean the actuator, would this also fix my other issue as well? Thank you again!

Are these things also the reason one side blows cold air and the other is burning hot…?

When you open it up, should the gears be able to turn? If it doesnt turn, does that mean it is shot and should order a new one? BTW - those clips are VERY EASY to break :(. Should have watched first.

It is very hard to see exactly where the part is located. Please advise!

Of course the clinking is gone. You didn't turn the climate control system back on!

In this video, you had lost making on motor, that cause wrong rotary way and burn out motor. 50%

Why no talking and explaining?