Air recirculation / fresh air motor - actuator problems; video inside

bhsballer76 · January 5, 2014

I have been dealing with this noise on my 2004 Silverado for 8 plus months now. I believe I have it tracked down to the air recirculation / fresh air intake motor/ actuator. When the noise begins, I can temporarily get it to stop by pressing the air recirc button. I dropped the glove box a few days back and was able to see the door opening and closing. The door seems to open and close smoothly, but does pause briefly( maybe a second) before closing all the way. The noise occurs when the door fully closes or fully opens. After opening or closing, a few seconds will pass before you hear the noise in the video.

I have done some reading on this and most of what I have read says the dash needs to be removed/ lifted to replace this part. Being a graduate student and working full time, I really don't have the time to pull the dash.

I received 2 quotes from local a/c shops. One for $350 and one for between $200 and $550, depending on them diagnosing what motor/ actuator they find causing the noise.

Few questions I could use some help with here.

Can this be unplugged to get the noise to stop?

Can I replace the part without pulling/ lifting the dash? It did look awfully tight behind the glove box.

Is there an easier way for me to fix this?

The video below is me toggling the switch back and forth a few times. The video is sideways. My apology but i was laying on the floorboard trying to get a better view.

gmtech4 · January 5, 2014

did you try the battery disconnect thing? ,reconnect ,key on engine off ,let the HVAC do its thing (it moves the doors to learn itself )

CapitalTruck · January 5, 2014

Rob, that is really good advice. Just when I think I can't stand to read anymore of your posts lambasting people about not going to the dealership to get their cars repaired you come back and redeem yourself.

bhsballer76 · January 5, 2014

did you try the battery disconnect thing? ,reconnect ,key on engine off ,let the HVAC do its thing (it moves the doors to learn itself )

I did try this. I disconncted the battery, let it sit for a few minutes, reconnected the battery. However, I started the truck, not key on but engine off. I believe it still cycled everything as I listened and the air was directed through all the different vents before it finally went back to the settings I had the a/c on before I disconnected the battery.

gmtech4 · January 7, 2014

Rob, that is really good advice. Just when I think I can't stand to read anymore of your posts lambasting people about not going to the dealership to get their cars repaired you come back and redeem yourself.

Ty,I wouldn't call it lambasting ,lol

bhsballer76 · January 8, 2014

Any other thoughts from any one? Can it be replaced with out pulling the dash?

gmtech4 · January 8, 2014

Any other thoughts from any one? Can it be replaced with out pulling the dash?

did you have it diagnosed or scanned yet ?or are you guessing for 2 days labour for nothing?

you are getting ahead of yourself asking worst case for no reason ,,you get me a code and i give you the DTC table or do what ya want ,,,,,

let me know

bhsballer76 · January 13, 2014

did you have it diagnosed or scanned yet ?or are you guessing for 2 days labour for nothing?

you are getting ahead of yourself asking worst case for no reason ,,you get me a code and i give you the DTC table or do what ya want ,,,,,

let me know

What type of scanner would be needed to get a code? The several local shops I called quoted an hours labor to diagnose it. Not sure if there is an alternative.