Resetting Ford F150 Blend Door Actuator

To reset the blend door actuator of a Ford F-150, first identify the blower button on the climate control panel. Press and hold the button for roughly 3 seconds to begin the reset operation, which will discharge hot air and complete the reset. Or, locate the blower motor fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Remove the fuse and start the car’s air conditioning system for approximately 2 minutes. Afterward, turn off the F-150 and reinsert the fuse into its original position to complete the resetting procedure.

This isn’t the be-all and end-all of finding the complete solution to the F-150 blend door actuator reset. Dig out deeper into this topic by reading till the end.

How to Reset Ford F-150 Blend Door Actuator?

You can reset the Ford F-150 blend door actuator from the climate control unit or by removing the blower motor fuse. In the segments, we’ll discuss these methods comprehensively.  

Reset Ford F-150 Blend Door Actuator From Climate Control Panel

To reset your car’s air conditioning, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Find the blower button on the climate control panel.

Step 2: Start the engine and hold down the blower button for about three seconds. This will cause hot air to blow out initially.

Step 3: Listen for a clicking sound when you release the button, which indicates the blend door actuator is working. And then turn off the engine. 

Step 4: Wait about 10 minutes before starting the truck again after turning it off.

Step 5: Check to make sure the air conditioning is now blowing cold air instead of hot. If so, the reset is complete.

Reset by Removing The Fuse

Adhere to the comprehensive step-by-step guide provided below for a successful reset of the blend door actuator.

Step 1: Locate and Remove the Blend Door Actuator Fuse

Locate the fuse for the blower actuator, which is typically found in the under-hood fuse box. And then remove the blower motor fuse. 

Source: Manual Directory

As a point of note, it is important to keep in mind that the specific fuse number and location of the fuse may differ depending on the vehicle’s model year. Therefore, it’s recommended to refer to the table below to identify the correct fuse number and rating for removal.

Ford F150 Model YearsBlend Door Actuator Fuse NumberBlend Door Actuator Fuse Rating
20002210A
200110540A**
200210540A**
200310540A**
2004116 30A
2005116 30A
2006116 30A
2007116 30A
2008F116 30A
2009455A
2010455A
2011455A
20123Relay
20133Relay
20143Relay
20156040A*
20166040A*
20176040A*
20182040A2
20192040A2
20202040A2
20212040A2
20221340A
20231340A

* Mini fuses, ** Cartridge fuses, 1 Micro fuse, 2 Slotted M case fuse.

After identifying the fuse, simply remove it with a fuse remover. 

Step 2: Turn The Ignition On

After removing the fuse, turn the ignition “ON” of your car. This step is necessary to provide power to the climate control system without actually starting the engine.

Step 3: Run the AC System

Once the ignition is turned on, turn on your climate control system and let it run for approximately two minutes. In this way, the air will circulate throughout the system, allowing the actuator to be reset. During this time, the temperature gauge on your car’s dashboard should read around thirty-eight degrees Celsius.

Step 4: Turn Off The Car

After running the AC system for two minutes, turn off your car. This will allow the system to reset and should help to resolve any issues with the actuator.

Step 5: Reinstall the Fuse

When the car is turned off, reinstall the fuse that you removed in step one. Afterward, the Ford Blend Door Actuator should be reset and work properly once power is restored to the climate control system.

It’s noteworthy to highlight that this resetting method is solely applicable to software-related problems. This resetting process cannot fix any hardware problems such as wiring or actuator damage, or the breakage of small plastic gears within the actuator.

What To Do If F150 Blend Door Actuator Reset Does Not Work?

If resetting does not work that means there are some issues within the hardware. In this case, you need to reset the blend door actuator manually or fix specific issues. To fix the issues by manually resetting, follow these steps. 

Step 1: Actuator Assembly Access

First, access the actuator assembly. There may be one on the driver’s side and one on the passenger’s side behind the radio setup.

Source: Stage 3 Motorsports Youtube

By removing the two bolts on their sides, you can remove the center console. Next, remove the shifter, the transmission linkage, and the electrical connections. For access to the actuator assembly, remove the radio/stereo unit and wiring.

You can also refer to the video below for the complete guide on how to remove the center console, radio, and stereo unit.

Ensure to check the faulty device by turning ON the climate control system of the truck and checking the air on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides. Replace the faulty device with a new one if there is physical damage or a loose electrical connection.

Step 2: Actuator Assembly Alignment

The actuator’s output shaft has gears, and its proper alignment is crucial for its smooth movement. Hence, rotate it with your hand until both align and a seamless motion is observed. To know if an actuator’s output shaft is properly aligned, check if the actuators are mounted consistently, level, and aligned properly. You can also use dial indicators or laser alignment tools to achieve proper gearbox alignment. A misalignment can result in broken gear teeth, so you will be in the same position as before the replacement.

Step 3: Ignition Turn ON and Run The AC

Now, follow steps 2 to 4 of the reset by removing the fused segment. 

Step 4: Calibration Process

You should now see movement within the blend door actuator assembly as you turn on the truck again. In order to find its limits, its position must be calibrated within the signal from the control module, which usually takes about 30-40 seconds.

By changing the temperature settings and feeling the air coming out of the vents, you can verify its proper operation. You need to wait two to three minutes after every function for the changes to take effect.

Step 5: Replacing Everything

Put everything you removed during the procedure back in reverse order after the operation has been successful.

When Do You Need To Replace Your Blend Door Actuator?

When the actuator becomes bad, you must replace the actuator for the blend door. You might now be wondering how do I know if my blend actuator is bad? Here are the symptoms that indicate the blend door actuator is bad.

  1. No movement leading to no consistent airflow or being stuck in one setting
  2. Inability to achieve desired temperature (hot or cold)
  3. One side of the dual climate control responds, but the other side is stuck
  4. Blend door doesn’t move
  5. Knocking noise coming from just below the steering wheel

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Blend Door Actuators In Ford F-150?

The average cost to replace an HVAC Blend Door Actuator in Ford F-150 is between $338 and $392. The labor costs are estimated to be between $209 and $263, while the parts themselves are priced at around $129. You should note that these are only estimates, and the actual cost will vary depending on the model year and location.

FAQs

What Happens When A Turbo Actuator Fails?

When a turbo actuator fails, it can lead to inefficient turbo operation, power loss, poor engine performance, and potential damage to the turbocharger. When the electronic actuator fails to open the nozzle ring assembly vanes, the engine may choke or the turbine may over speed if the vanes are closed. Therefore, it is important to identify and fix turbo actuator failure promptly to prevent further damage to the engine and turbocharger.

Which Actuator Controls Airflow?

The mode door actuators control airflow to different vents. Those are the floor, panel, front, defrost, or any combination of those, while recirculation door actuators control the intake of air into the system. The system either brings in air from outside or circulates air from within.

Is The Blend Door Open Or Closed For Heat?

The blend door should be entirely closed for heat to work properly in a car. The blend door position must be completely closed before installing a new blend door actuator or replacing an existing one. Even a slightly open blend door can result in the temperature inside the car not matching the A/C setting.

Signing Off

This was the whole process for Ford F150 blend door actuator reset. Hopefully, this discussion will help you to reset and fix the blend door actuator entirely.

If you still face issues or find any difficulty to complete the process we recommend you consult a professional automobile mechanic for further assistance.

Cheers!

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William Baldwin

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Talha Atta

Talha Atta, a Mechanical Engineer and experienced technical content writer and editor at Autoglobes.com with a passion for the automotive industry.