If the blend door on your Ford F150 isn’t working, chances are you have a faulty actuator. All you have to do is to reset the blend door actuator and continue on your journey. If you’re wondering how to reset the Ford F150 blend door actuator, don’t worry. It’s a simple process.
In this article, in addition to a detailed guide on how to reset the blend door actuator, I’ll also talk about what causes a blend door actuator to fail, what signs to look out for, and how to fix it in case the reset doesn’t work.
What Are the Causes of a Failing Ford F150 Blend Door Actuator?
An actuator malfunction can cause your blend door to stop functioning correctly and lead to problems in your vehicle’s HVAC system. Because its inner workings are composed of plastic, failure can occur as quickly as any mechanical device; when this occurs, you may get cold air but no heat or vice versa. Here are the causes of a failing blend door actuator:
Cause #1: Broken Gear Set
An actuator’s gears can deteriorate over time and cause it to strip or break. Once this happens, its ability to operate may cease functioning entirely, and it cannot move the door any longer.
Cause #2: Dirty Connections
An actuator is attached to your HVAC system through wires. If these wires become dirty or loose, this could cause them to fail as their resistance increases, causing overheating of the actuator and eventual failure.
Cause #3: Excessive Heat
An actuator in an engine compartment is exposed to high levels of heat, which, over time, may damage it irreparably.
Cause #4: Malfunctioning Electric Motor
Your HVAC system’s electric motor controls the actuator. If this motor fails, it could lead to systemic failure of its actuator.
What Signs Indicate A Failing Blend Door Actuator?
As soon as your blend door actuator begins to fail, look out for signs and symptoms such as those listed here to detect possible problems early on and take preventative steps:
Sign #1: Repetitive Noisy Knocking Sounds
You may hear loud, repetitive knocking noises coming from the glove box area when an actuator fails, often followed by clicking noises caused by broken gear sets.
Note: If you are looking for Ford F-150 Transmission identification codes, check out the guide to find out more about it.
Sign #2: Difficulties in Adjusting Mode Settings
When an actuator fails, it may become challenging to modify the mode settings for an HVAC system. Settings could become stuck in one spot or refuse to change altogether.
Sign #3: Inconsistent Temperature
The actuator controls airflow within your vehicle. When it fails, you may experience inconsistent temperature in your car – too hot or too cold even with AC or heat turned off.
How Do You Reset the Ford F150 Blend Door Actuator?
If your Ford’s Blend Door Actuator is no longer functioning correctly, before considering replacing it, you should attempt to reset or recalibrate it first. This is an easy process that can be completed by following these steps:
Step #1: Remove Fuses
To start the reset process, first disconnect both actuator fuses (CJB fuse 5 and CJB fuse 13) from the fuse panel in the engine bay.
Step #2: Start the Car
Next, turn on the ignition for your car without actually starting the car engine.
Step #3: Run the AC System
Now, using your climate control system, switch on your air conditioner for at least two minutes – your dashboard temperature gauge should show approximately 38 degrees Celsius as evidence of successful cooling performance.
Step #4: Shut Off the Car
Once three minutes have elapsed, the next step is for you to turn off your car.
Step #5: Reinstall Fuses
Since all fuses were removed in step one, you should now re-install them to reset your Ford Blend Door Actuator. However, if the blend door actuator is still not working properly, that means the reset failed, and replacing it may be the answer.
How To Fix It If the Reset Fails?
After performing the reset, it will become apparent if it was a success or failure by noticing if the blend door is serving its intended function effectively or not. The next step for you is to replace it. However, there are a few fixes you can perform to restore its function:
Fix #1: Diagnose the Air-Conditioning Relay
Locate and test the AC relay by consulting your vehicle owner’s manual. Gently shake it after taking it out; if rattling noises occur after shaking it, then replace it with an appropriate spare part – typically costing $15 per relay.
Fix #2: Diagnose the Climate Control Module
For diagnosis purposes, use a Ford scanner to retrieve codes and monitor blend door position/commands to help identify your climate control module. A Ford IDS (integrated diagnostic system) scan tool, currently the OEM diagnostic solution used by dealers of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars, covers all Ford models from 1996 until now.
Note: You might be interested in knowing how to turn off reverse beep on Kia Sorento explained in this guide.
Fix #3: Examine the Wiring Harness
To connect the actuator to an HVAC system, an actuator requires a wiring harness. Any damage to this harness could prevent power from being delivered or cause it to fail altogether; you can visually inspect this harness for signs of wear and tear to assess any possible issues.
Conclusion
That’s all you need to know about the Ford F150 Blend Door Actuator Reset! In this guide, I have talked about the cause and signs of a failing blend door actuator and included a detailed description of how to rest the blend door actuator.
I have also explained possible fixes if the reset doesn’t work. Hopefully, with this guide, all your queries have been answered, and you can return to enjoying your daily driving experience.
