Why Is My Car Blowing Hot Air On One Side And Cold On The Other?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Blend door actuators

are the most common reason for the car air conditioning to blow cold air on one side and hot air on the other. They can be diagnosed with an advanced scan tool. … If the actuator is clicking, this is another sign it will probably need to be replaced.

How much does it cost to replace a blend door actuator?

The average cost ranges from

$100 to $400

for an HVAC blend door actuator replacement in your vehicle.

Why is my car AC blowing cold and hot air?

If your A/C flip-flops from hot to cold and back again,

your expansion valve could be failing

. The expansion valve distributes the proper amount of refrigerant to your evaporator. If the valve is blocked, the refrigerant flow could be restricted or could be too unrestricted. … Your A/C blows warm air.

How do I know if my blend door actuator is bad?

  1. Knocking. Knocking sounds can almost always be attributed to a failing blend door actuator. …
  2. Clicking. …
  3. Any Other Strange Noises. …
  4. Inconsistent Airflow. …
  5. Inconsistent Temperature. …
  6. Wrong Temperature.

How long does it take to fix a blend door actuator?

Replacing the blend door actuator is actually a fairly simple process, and it should take

no more than an hour

. So the labor will cost you around $75 – $150 depending on labor rates at your local repair shop. In general, you can expect the total cost to be no more than $400.

Can I drive with a bad blend door actuator?

If your blend door actuator has gone bad in some way, it’s basically one of two problems. … If that happens, the blend door

won’t work

, and it’s likely your temperature will just be stuck on one setting with no ability to adjust the intensity up and down, or alternate between things like the lower vents or the defroster.

What are the signs of a bad expansion valve?

  • #1 – Poor Air Conditioning Performance.
  • #2 – Inconsistent Airflow From Vents.
  • #3 – Air Conditioning Constantly Running.
  • #4 – Frost Forming on A/C Compressor or Vents.

How do I know if I have a bad actuator?

  1. Unusual noises coming from inside the door. …
  2. Power door locks behave erratically. …
  3. Power door locks do not function.

Can you manually turn a blend door actuator?

The actuator is what needs replacing. The

arm/hinge that is moving up and down

is just the thing you need to grab with your finger to manually flip the blend door over to the hot temp side.

How long does it take to replace door actuator?

Expect the replacement work to take

one to two hours

, including testing. Usually a bad or failing power door lock actuator will produce a few symptoms that can notify the driver of an issue that should be serviced.

Can you fix a blend door actuator?

There’s a chance the mode or blend door actuator may be good but the door or linkage is binding, so check it before you replace the actuator (photo above). If the door binds, take it to a pro for replacement. However, if it moves smoothly, buy a

new blend door actuator from the dealer or auto parts store

.

What causes a blend door actuator to go bad?

What Causes a bad blend door actuator? A blend door actuator is

linked to an air control door pivot found on the last drive of the unit

; a plastic gear set is frequently rotated from one side to another by the electric motor.An actuator can become faulty if the plastic gear set turns out to be fragile and it breaks.

How much does it cost to fix an actuator?

The cost of replacing a door lock actuator is likely going to be between

about $180 to as much as $700

. On average it seems like most cars that have a problem with the door actuator are going to end up costing around $200.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.