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Doing the HVAC Actuator Doors

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Old Mar 15, 2023 | 01:14 AM
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Default Doing the HVAC Actuator Doors

I've had the dash off before so I'm not intimidated by the process. But, are there any secrets I should be aware of that will make the job go easier? Like how to reach that third bolt on the pass side at the back of the actuator?
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Old Mar 15, 2023 | 08:21 AM
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The passenger blend door actuator’s third screw is in a different hole than the driver’s. I remember spending a considerable amount of time trying to get on a fastener that wasn’t there.
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Old Mar 17, 2023 | 10:35 AM
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Don't pinch wires on assembly. Don't ask.
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Old Mar 18, 2023 | 09:45 AM
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Remove the vacuum actuator and access the blend actuator screws thru the glovebox. No need to remove the passenger lower air ducts (per the service manual)
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Old Mar 18, 2023 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by bobc997615
Remove the vacuum actuator and access the blend actuator screws thru the glovebox. No need to remove the passenger lower air ducts (per the service manual)
Criminy man! I've taken the whole dash off already! Run time :38

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Old Mar 19, 2023 | 10:22 AM
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Make absolutely certain you get the later controls. Early ('97-'00) had actuators that didn't have a "stop" built in. These are still out there as NOS items. You can usually go by price, as the newer style is considerably higher in price, and the NOS ones are a lot cheaper. This was fixed in '01-up C5s. The early ones with no mechanical stop built in can easily go out of range of their useful position when calibrating. This can happen even though the actuators are functioning correctly. Just make sure the ones you install are the later style. Best of luck... .
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Old Mar 19, 2023 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by grinder11
Make absolutely certain you get the later controls. Early ('97-'00) had actuators that didn't have a "stop" built in. These are still out there as NOS items. You can usually go by price, as the newer style is considerably higher in price, and the NOS ones are a lot cheaper. This was fixed in '01-up C5s. The early ones with no mechanical stop built in can easily go out of range of their useful position when calibrating. This can happen even though the actuators are functioning correctly. Just make sure the ones you install are the later style. Best of luck... .
Thanks for the luck! I think I'm going to work on it today. It's a bright, sunny, beautiful day here. Perfect to ruin with some frustration. JK, I like to work on my stuff. I've been waiting for warmer weather though. I have the dash apart, now I need to change out the actuators. It's 50 something in my garage and I really don't need to drive.......yes I do. Forget that.

I got the Dorman Products, 604-106. They were just under 80 bucks a piece. Lyle from C&S Corvettes makes this same recommendation in one of his vids. Great source for parts and knowledge. Hit them up for whatever you may need.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 12:27 AM
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I successfully changed out the actuators. I have a couple of helpful tips that I will post in a day or two. Now, question: On the driver's side, the electrical snaps right in like it's supposed to. I noticed a pigtail of a two pin connector running in that loom that wasn't connected to anything. I didn't unfasten it. What is it and do I have to have this connected for the system to work right? I'm going to search the net and search the dash for the female end of this. Will report back when I have an answer.

I thought maybe someone here would know. In the future, if you need advice on how to do the actuators on a C5, PM me. I may be able to help.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 11:26 AM
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Make it more pleasant. Take the seats out first. Your back and neck will appreciate it. And you might find enough change to pay for the actuators.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by johnson-rod
Make it more pleasant. Take the seats out first. Your back and neck will appreciate it. And you might find enough change to pay for the actuators.
Thought a long time about pulling the seats. It's a 10 minute job. Then I decided I wanted somewhere to sit while I did the fix. I need to put the dash back together. Maybe tonight. Now that I know the actuators are fixed, I'm resting easy.
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by The Former
Thanks for the luck! I think I'm going to work on it today. It's a bright, sunny, beautiful day here. Perfect to ruin with some frustration. JK, I like to work on my stuff. I've been waiting for warmer weather though. I have the dash apart, now I need to change out the actuators. It's 50 something in my garage and I really don't need to drive.......yes I do. Forget that.

I got the Dorman Products, 604-106. They were just under 80 bucks a piece. Lyle from C&S Corvettes makes this same recommendation in one of his vids. Great source for parts and knowledge. Hit them up for whatever you may need.
If Lyle sold you the actuators, then you have the right ones. I know him well enough to say he wouldn't sell anyone the early style. I swear.....Sometimes I think GM forgets everything they learned (some the hard way!!!) from past experience. Certainly they engineered actuators with stops before the C5. Certainly they engineered fuel tank senders before the C5. Certainly they knew how to ground multiple wires that lasted a LONG time before the C5. I digress.......
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Old Mar 20, 2023 | 07:16 PM
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I didn't buy the actuators from Lyle's shop. Why? I'm a dumbass. I did buy the ones that are about 80 bucks a piece though. I found the pass actuator was NOT working at all. Driver side seemed to be ok. I checked them while they were hooked to power and I was opening and closing the doors, watching the actuators work. They both worked well when I was done.

Here's a more or less cheerleading video. I show you where these things are and what you'll need to get them out. I thought this was supposed to be hard? All it takes is time. You can reach the bolts on the pass side through the glovebox and the driver's side can be accessed normally from the side with a 1/4 inch socket drive. 7/32nds socket. Deep well. Go buy one and load the boat on swivels, extensions and a nice ratchet. You owe yourself if you're about to save 1000 dollars by doing this yourself.

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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 04:28 PM
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Just like Lyle from C&S Corvettes said. Cracked junk.


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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 04:45 PM
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I've spoken to him on the phone. Nice man. Knows his stuff!
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 05:30 PM
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Hi Phil !!…just 60 seconds…you really don’t have to wait 5-10 minutes !!…hope this helps !!
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:50 PM
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I used Dorman **** style actuators at 80 bucks a piece. They work. I just drove the car and the automatic temperature went on heating the car correctly. I didn't know how to act. I don't know Lyle but I doubt he would sell anything less than ideal products.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil R
Seeing a lot of posts about hvac actuators recently. Don’t forget the first step is to re-index. Pull fuse 27 for 5-10 minutes. This solves most problems!
Agreed. I got mine working doing this but it finally gave up. Had to change them.
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Old Mar 21, 2023 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil R
🙌🙌 appreciate the support. Lots of good new voices in here. I love to see it!
Me too Phil !!
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Old Mar 22, 2023 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil R
I’ve known Lyle for years. Great corvette mind and even better person!!!!
Wow !!…you know Lyle ??…are you from the Sarasota area ??…if you are we should meet up !!
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Old Mar 26, 2023 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Smoken1
Did you replace them with the same junk Lyle sells or did you get Rodney Dickman's kit with the brass gears?
Uh, I may be wrong here, but the only brass gears I see Dickman selling are for HEADLIGHT actuators, NOT HVAC actuators. If he does sell them, could someone please post a link to the HVAC actuators? Thank you.
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