Clicking noise associated with blend door actuator movement

[JonMN]

Hi! 2024 gladiator here. I have noticed a noise behind the dash when starting the first time on a warm day. I'm sure it's related to the A/C or heating system, but not sure if it's common or a big deal. The video below actually exaggerates the volume. It goes away in 20-30 seconds. If I turn the Jeep off and start again in a few minutes the noise does not reoccur. I have heard of actuator problems, but this stops at about the same time every time, so I am thinking it might just be the control system waiting for the AC to get going. Anyone else have this?? Thanks!

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[JonMN]

Edit: Trying to edit to remove the duplicate video but the edit button is not working . . . Doh!

 

[Lost1wing]

Sounds like the blend doors trying to move. There is a calibration procedure that can be done. The dealer can do that for you. I think there are like 4 different doors so who knows which one it is without a scan tool.

 

[JonMN]

Sounds like the blend doors trying to move. There is a calibration procedure that can be done. The dealer can do that for you. I think there are like 4 different doors so who knows which one it is without a scan tool.

Thanks for the reply-I can check with my dealer. Funny that it goes away every time after about 20 seconds. Also, all the settings to redirect air are working fine, AC is great, etc.

 

[JonMN]

Just a little followup for anyone that has a similar problem. I used my borescope to watch the blend actuator. Looks like this is it. Works fine, but clicks when moving. Since this goes away pretty soon, I'm not sure when/if I will get it replaced. My dealer trust when it comes to taking the dash apart is kind of low.

My borescope does not record movies, so I used my phone. The phone exaggerates the volume of the click, by the way.

Here is the actuator after startup from cold, in the AC position. It slowly comes to full AC. I am thinking the speed is programmed in, as you can see in the next video the actuator can move quite fast when requested.

When going from AC to full heat, the movement is smooth and pretty quiet:

 

[Lost1wing]

Might need calibration. Let the dealer do it! It shouldn't take long, unless they find a problem with the door actuator.

 

[quacking_duck]

Just a little followup for anyone that has a similar problem. I used my borescope to watch the blend actuator. Looks like this is it. Works fine, but clicks when moving. Since this goes away pretty soon, I'm not sure when/if I will get it replaced. My dealer trust when it comes to taking the dash apart is kind of low.

My borescope does not record movies, so I used my phone. The phone exaggerates the volume of the click, by the way.

Here is the actuator after startup from cold, in the AC position. It slowly comes to full AC. I am thinking the speed is programmed in, as you can see in the next video the actuator can move quite fast when requested.

When going from AC to full heat, the movement is smooth and pretty quiet:

Were you able to resolve the issue?

 

[Gladiatorx2]

My 2023 makes the same noise. I have not taken to dealership yet. My 2021 did not do it.

 

[jtymabel]

Have a 2023 with the same issue..

 

[JonMN]

Were you able to resolve the issue?

Thanks for asking. So far I have not had enough nerve to take it to the dealer--don't know how much I trust them to fix it without damaging the dash. Of course, I am not sure how much dash needs to be removed to get to it.

Kind of nice to know I'm not the only one, however.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Is this a clicking that repeats a few times and stops? Video wont play for me beyond one click.

My 2022 just started doing this when I leave in the morning. Clicks a few times then stops. Usually by the time I'm at the end of my (short) street.

AC works fine. Got to work and turned the radio off. Tried temp up and down, every vent setting. Recirculation. Etc. It all works fine with no odd noises.

 

[JonMN]

Is this a clicking that repeats a few times and stops? Video wont play for me beyond one click.

My 2022 just started doing this when I leave in the morning. Clicks a few times then stops. Usually by the time I'm at the end of my (short) street.

AC works fine. Got to work and turned the radio off. Tried temp up and down, every vent setting. Recirculation. Etc. It all works fine with no odd noises.

Sorry about the video. Rookie here. It will click a certain number of times then stop unless the blend actuator needs to adjust a little, then I might get one click. I will try another video below. I set the borescope to look at the gear on the drivers actuator. Every time it moves one "tooth" I get the click. It does mostly go away when the system has stabilized.

I am having problems uploading videos--tried to lower the file but still not working . . .

Here is a link to the video on Youtube that should work:

 

[quacking_duck]

Just curious if anyone has had any updates or changes to this issue?

For reference, several months ago I did go ahead and swap the Driver Side Blend Door Actuator for a new one to see if the noise went away. Unfortunately, it did not.

 

[JonMN]

Just curious if anyone has had any updates or changes to this issue?

For reference, several months ago I did go ahead and swap the Driver Side Blend Door Actuator for a new one to see if the noise went away. Unfortunately, it did not.

Thanks for the update Eric! I have not had this in to the dealer, and your reply makes me think I should just live with it for now. Once temp has stabilized the "clicks" are pretty rare. I also do not have the best feelings about the service department, so I do not want them digging into the dash. If you ever hear of a resolution please let me know!

 

[JonMN]

Just curious if anyone has had any updates or changes to this issue?

For reference, several months ago I did go ahead and swap the Driver Side Blend Door Actuator for a new one to see if the noise went away. Unfortunately, it did not.

OK, here's an update!
I was in for an oil change, so I had them listen to it. At first glance, they agreed it sounded like a bad actuator. They replaced the actuator, and the sound continued.

They next wanted to replace the distribution housing, which calls for a "full dash removal," an 8 hour project. At that point I decided I could live with the occasional click from the blend mechanism.

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