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makovs08

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Hello - new to the forum. I recently took my 2011 Ram 1500 Laramie into the shop because of a clicking noise behind the dash when I turned the truck on. They diagnosed and quoted me about $1,000 to replace mode door actuators 1 and 2. Though I’m not mechanically inclined, I did watch a video on how to replace the blend door actuators 1 and 2. My question is are “mode” actuators 1 & 2 in the same area as “blend” door actuators 1 & 2? Has anyone replaced these before? Trying to figure out if it’s worth the $1,000 to have it done or if it’s manageable to do by yourself. Thanks in advance.
 

GTyankee

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I believe that all of the 2009 - 2017 & maybe newer actuators

You can pull your glove boxes
look at the fan motor & look straight up
you should see 1 actuator, it controls fresh air, either it is open to let air in, or it is closed so no new air enters the HVAC system
the actuator works the Recirculation Door

Now look down at the fan again, look directly to the left
you should be looking at another actuator, that one controls hot & cold air, the door is called the MODE door

Next there are 2 more actuators
It is easiest to watch a couple of videos to see how to remove the panel that surrounds the radio
The Laramie likely has a full floor console

watch this video to 1 minute 45 seconds, where he begins to remove the radio screws


Now look right behind where the temp controls were before you removed radio bezel.

You should see 2 more actuators, these actuators control the 2 Blend doors

All of the actuators are identical, Mopar makes the best Actuators

You can easily remove any actuator,
If you temporarily connect back up the dash bezel
you can test the actuators for function

If you don't see the actuator moving, you can open it up to look at the small gears
If there is a tooth missing on the gears. lift that gear off & rotate it 180 degrees & the actuator may work again.

The bad part is that if all the actuators are working
That could very well mean that a door that the actuators are connected to may be broken.

when the actuator is working, watch for the movement of the arm
That arm is connected to a white cylinder that is well known for breaking, where it connects to the door inside the big HVAC box

There are videos that show what i have been describing
 
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makovs08

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@GTyankee thank you for all of this information. The video will definitely come in handy. I’m going to attempt to take apart this week. The mechanic I spoke to said it was mode door actuator 1 that was broke but that I mine as well replace mode door actuator 2. The issue I noticed (besides the clicking/knocking noise) is that when I turn my air to defrost, nothing is coming out of the vent. Could I get to the mode door actuator (the one to the left of the fan) by removing the glove box or will I need to remove the panel that surrounds the radio? Thanks again for the help.
 

GTyankee

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I am not sure, but it looks like if you remove the lower glove box
You should be able to see it moving, if you have a flashlight

Watch this video, it may help
I did not realize that you could calibrate the actuators


watch the first 5 minutes of this video, it shows you what is where
Do not pay attention to what he calls the doors, lets just stay that he is mistaken when he calls them all Blend doors

 
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makovs08

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@GTyankee thanks again for all the info. I purchased the actuator from a local Chrysler/Dodge dealership and put it in. Took me about 25-30 minutes to remove the center dash, take out the old part, put in the new one and put everything back together. Hopefully other Ram owners will find this thread useful.
 
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