End all be all actuator replacement thread (clicking sound, part numbers, video install)

[Flying Fajita]

I have a 2017 FiST and have replaced the driver's and passenger's side actuators, now the center one is clicking. I am fearful that this one requires the dash to be pulled to get to it. Are my fears correct? If not, any pointers in how to get to it?

 

[Intuit]

@Estelle just posted a video before you. Welcome to the forum BTW.
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...-part-numbers-video-install.22458/post-516671

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[Flying Fajita]

Hey guys! So I had the middle one go out on me and since there’s no videos on it anywhere and everything said we had to take the dash out I decided to sort of video blog how I did it. It’s not a great video and I had already removed the old one but I did show you where it’s located and how to get to it. Hope this helps anyone who needs it. I know it’s not totally correct? Possibly but it’s working and that’s all I care about.

View: https://youtu.be/rSAXPpshpQg?si=sUXfRPAvPag_Bx9S

Awesome! Thank you very much!

 

[Capri to ST]

I had my passenger side one done today, it's the one behind the glove box that controls fresh or recirculated air, sometimes called the air inlet actuator. I've watched the videos and I know this is the easiest one to get to, but I'm a really bad mechanic and I decided to let my independent shop do it. This is a mechanic I have a long relationship with and trust.
Companies should hire me as a product tester, because through a process of massive overthinking and over interpretation of instructions if there's a way to do something wrong I will generally find it, so I let that shop do the work on my car.
It cost $230 for parts and labor, I just thought I would post this so other people would have a reference point if they decide to have a shop do that actuator for them.

 

[Intuit]

It is said, "Making mistakes is the best way to learn.".
You don't want to make mistakes on something as important as brakes.
But this? Have at it. The potential consequences are minimal; annoyance and time.

 

[isis]

This is

I had my passenger side one done today, it's the one behind the glove box that controls fresh or recirculated air, sometimes called the air inlet actuator. I've watched the videos and I know this is the easiest one to get to, but I'm a really bad mechanic and I decided to let my independent shop do it. This is a mechanic I have a long relationship with and trust.
Companies should hire me as a product tester, because through a process of massive overthinking and over interpretation of instructions if there's a way to do something wrong I will generally find it, so I let that shop do the work on my car.
It cost $230 for parts and labor, I just thought I would post this so other people would have a reference point if they decide to have a shop do that actuator for them.

This one is the hardest to screw up and easiest to reach. I was intimidated to get in there just due to the smallness of the car and being in my upper 40’s but I’m glad I did that one myself. I pay shops to do brake pads anymore. Glad you got it sorted one way or another. The noise that one makes is alarming to hear on a new to you low mileage car. I felt much better when it actually fixed the problem.

 

[Capri to ST]

This is


This one is the hardest to screw up and easiest to reach. I was intimidated to get in there just due to the smallness of the car and being in my upper 40’s but I’m glad I did that one myself. I pay shops to do brake pads anymore. Glad you got it sorted one way or another. The noise that one makes is alarming to hear on a new to you low mileage car. I felt much better when it actually fixed the problem.

Thanks, I'm glad to have it done also. This was my second one to go bad, so I knew what it was. The Forum was also helpful because when the first one went out I knew what that was. It's annoying, but at least I wasn't worried about something more serious.

 

[tikeybun]

I'll be the next to report I changed out the temp blend door actuator. Top bolt was a straight shot with my ratchet set. I had to use an Allen. Key on the bottom bolt. Managed to get both bolts installed with the new actuator. I'm gonna look around for a good mini ratchet kit that will work better than amusing an Allen key. My arms hurt after playing Tetris with an Allen key for a couple hours.

 

[Sprinkle_Star]

I'll be the next to report I changed out the temp blend door actuator. Top bolt was a straight shot with my ratchet set. I had to use an Allen. Key on the bottom bolt. Managed to get both bolts installed with the new actuator. I'm gonna look around for a good mini ratchet kit that will work better than amusing an Allen key. My arms hurt after playing Tetris with an Allen key for a couple hours.

Just curious... if I ever need to replace that actuator, would I need to remove the driver side trim panel? How do you gain access to it?

 

[tikeybun]

Just curious... if I ever need to replace that actuator, would I need to remove the driver side trim panel? How do you gain access to it?

I had to remove the glove box. There is an AC vent that you need to take out that should give you better access to the actuator.

 

[Sprinkle_Star]

I had to remove the glove box. There is an AC vent that you need to take out that should give you better access to the actuator.

wow im a dummy. i just scrolled up to find that Flying Fajita already posted a video about this lol

anyway, thank you for your response!

 

[tikeybun]

I'm going to be testing out some mini ratchet kits to find one that will make it easier to do the temp blend door actuator. Worst case scenario you can use a rotory tool and make a cutout in the dash to access the bottom bolt.

 

[tikeybun]

This tool made quick work on the bottom bolt for the temp blend door. There are 2 plastic air vent pieces that can be taken out to give you a clear shot of the actuator with easy access to remove it.

 

[Samber]

Hey everyone,
Picked up a 2014 FiST the other week and encountered one of several issues... the dreaded climate control...
My situation appeared to be somewhat unique, as I can choose the mode and vents, as well as recirculation. My issue was that regardless of the temperature, it would only blow very hot air. Setting the temperature, even at lo, would blow very hot air. A/C and max A/C (can feel the compressor engage), would still result in this very hot air.
After countless hours of research, and tons of uncertainty out there (how many actuators are in these cars? Which actuators commonly fail? How hard are they to replace? Etc.) I have referenced to the service manual and there are in fact THREE "climate" actuators in these cars. While the blend door and recirc ones are common failures, I believe my issue is caused by the temperature door actuator failing to engage. No clicking noise. Changing the temperature I would assume some audible noise with the movement in temperature door.
As this is the actuator that the service manual actually requires removal of the entire dash (located behind the passenger knee, NOT the one behind the glovebox), I am hesitant to start the entire procedure to replace, especially if my thoughts are incorrect.
Is there maybe something I am overlooking? Possibly a way to confirm that this part is inoperative versus a climate control electronic issue? Easy way to remove this third actuator without full dash removal?

Thanks for any help!!

Sorry, I couldn't answer you in time. If anyone else encounters such a problem, be aware that this is a defect in the first climate control models ( https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/SSM46405 ). I'm not sure if there's a way to update the firmware yourself. It helped me to install the block from a car of a later model year. (the photo shows the old climate control in question)

The topic of this issue is: https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/climate-control-heater-issue.7943/