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Here's the skinny. I believe I have it pretty close to accurate if not, tech guys please feel free to chime in. Thank you.

I've had my WJ a little over 90 days (02 Overlander 105K 4.7) and am about to attempt a complicated (to me a non tech guy) repair to the Auto Climate Control Blend Doors. If like me you did not even know the term BlendDoors? Basically these approx 3x5 doors flaps plastic hinges break and when your actuator (small motor that opens and closes them) goes to adjust the flow when you adjust your temps from say cool to warmer the actuator pulls the doors a little more to control or "Blend" the air. If the hinges are broken you'll hear these noises under your dash, kinda like a squirrel scratching (not quite as loud but just as annoying) pulling, tightening etc. Even for a few minutes when the vehicle is off. Mine happen to be near under the ashtray glove box area... I've learned here in Tech Forum from a gentleman avatar FishBone a self diagnosis test you can do that test your system; Car off, key in ignition to accessory position. Press the AC and Circulate button simultaneously. Slightly turn the climate control. You'll view different codes 52, 54, 56 are all related to damaged blend door, there are several in your vehicle defrost etc. So listen closely although you probably have it memorized already to where you believe the noise is coming from. Mine happens to be from under the glove box area.

I'm told if you were to go to the dealer to complete this remain it would run you approx $1200+ so not having the kinda money I've decided with the tech guys here to lean on to go ahead and tackle and document this job for others. Give and take sorta speak

I've ordered a Blend Door repair kit, pictured below from a Chrysler wholesale place about $80.

I'll photo it up while investigating and continue to post photos. I hope I can do this and it helps others here on CF too. Thank you.

PeterB.

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You gotta pull the dash out, and it is a major PITA. I'm pulling the dash out of a 2000 Cherokee right now at work in order to replace the evaporator. It is no fun, even on a bare bones XJ. There are videos on the YouTube that can offer some visual help.

 

if you are going that deep you may as well change the heater core while you are there. Save yourself the trouble of doing it all over again in the future.

Miles

 

Very true, and heater cores are pretty cheap.

 

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You surprised me Bustedback. I thought for sure you would have already planned on doing that, Heater Core, AC Evaporator too. While your at it change everything while your back there. Check and recheck all your actuators, blend doors and what have you

FishBone my project turns out to be a no go. Today I planned on doing a surgical procedure through the glove box to repair the right blend door as the code called for. So I removed the glove box (two rubber tips on top guys. Those have to be removed prior to the box dropping down) I disconnected the passenger side actuator and checked my blend doors manually. They are operational and move freely. In addition, while the right actuator is disconnected I move the climate control buttons from cool to warm on both passenger and driver side. I still hear the squirrels still. So the source is elsewhere like under and behind the radio which isn't going to happen as I'm not going to take my dash apart until I have to. At that point I'll do what I wrote to Bustedback above and repair, replace everything out heater core, blend doors, actuators and what have you. So, I will post some photos after this LA game... Go Kings!

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Here's the latest on my under dash noises Auto Climate Control Vent Noises.

Turns out my repair codes did list Blend Doors as I suggested. As you can may or may not be able to tell by this illustration. There are several blend doors (6) so determining which doors where squealing was the determining factor on whether I would attempt to go to the glove box to repair the blend doors located on the passenger side.



The poor design by Chrysler engineers and blend door design, locations of these vent door makes you consider what they were thinking??

Glove box door down, you can view my right knee and the look of the Actuator motor.




By rotating manually that white blend door white nipple on the lower left, I could feel them doors opening and closing without any hesitation.




You can also test and or re calibrate the actuator motor to the door position into an open or close point prior to installation with a regular battery...



In conclusion; After further investigation and probing I was able to determine that my damaged blend doors are probably right behind and underneath the radio. At this time I would have to abort my attempts to complete this repair until I have to take apart the entire dash to say do a heater core or evaporator replacement.

I guess I'll have to deal with all the noises ve I returned the $80 blend door repair kit for reimbursement and there's nothing left for me to do put post photos and help others on this forum as others have helped me. Thank you.

Special thanks go out to FishBone for trying to help me solve the problem. Thank you FishBoner. You're the best!

Very truly yours,

PeterB



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