This video was huge! Drilling the hole made things way easier. Always appreciate when people share their learnings. Will make this winter a lot more comfortable. Thanks
A HUGE thing for me - left screw was easy. Top right was easier if you take out the air filter. But the bottom right was very tough to get onto the screw. So I just switched to an allen wrench and got it out in about 2 minutes after struggling for like 30 minutes with a screwdriver and/or ratchet.
This video made it possible for me to fix my 2012 Buick enclave, it had the a/c on and heat blowing on passenger side, now it has cool air, Sincerely Bob
Thanks for this video man!! I just replaced mine following your directions and it worked perfectly all for the grand price of $40. . Car shop also quoted me $1,350 to replace it. It was still difficult but this helped me tremendously!!
I'm a dealer Buick tech for 5 years and gm tech for 8. and yeah we love when these things fail. They pay 8.8 hours labor. That doesn't include diagnosis time or other actuators. Yes gm says you need to remove the entire dash. But literally NO TECH will ever tell you that you don't have to. This is a very easy repair for do it yourselfers. But most of the time customers will have service contracts. I highly highly encourage anyone who if looking to buy a Buick enclave get a service contract. Everything on these vehicles is expensive to repair. After one or two uses with your service contract it pays for itself. Nice video
@@Jamealjames_reactions-funnyvid also curious about this bc, like OP said, everything is soo expensive to repair on these! I fix what I can on my own but I have a torque converter going bad and I'm not even gonna attempt that 😅
Great tip to drill the hole, worked like a charm. Blowing cold air from the passenger side again. It also helps if you are a professional contortionist.
Nice video… couple tips I would add: 1) Remove black cover under dash/glovebox and you can sometimes use your other hand to assist. 2) You will probably lose a couple of the torx screws that you will need to reinstall (maybe source a couple before reinstall). Also magnetize your bit before removing & reinstalling screws. 3) use a small work light or flashlight. 4) maybe use a small articulating mirror (but it don’t help me much in this one as you will most likely be working blind to feel for the screw holes/screw locations. Just use the new actuator for reference and feel for the 2 half circle cutouts in the actuator body and listen for when you hear your metal bit scrape against metal screw and the n adjust, turn by hand the ratchet end to get it in place. Also, you may need to switch between fingers and Torx bit alone or a short & longer t20 Torx bit. 5) I used a combination of long assembled torx/hex/screwdriver handle for the screw exposed by the drilled out panel , the super tiny stubby ratchet for the other two screws. 6) used my fingers to reach in and set two of the 3 screws into their holes and twist to get started. Followed up with stubby ratchet.. (note, due to the odd position, I attacked a couple of the torx screws from underneath using my I the hand/finger to press on ratchet back end so it wouldn’t come off the screw as I ratcheted it to tighten. Installed the screw closest to the rear with a long screwdriver handle Torx driver (through the drilled out section). 7) Plug wires in and position onto blend door actuator cam before installing screws. Good luck.
Super helpful - completed in about 30 minutes. Only thing I’d add for someone else about to do this: remove bottom dash - use pliers to pull down on plugs, will pop off easy. Extend seat back and lay on tour back for good access and view. Don’t bother trying to put the screw back that was caused feom the hole you made. Difficult and two tight screws suffice. When you put the glove back on make sure the right side lines up in the suspension track.
By far!!!!!! The most helpful video I ever seen for any part on any vehicle. I have my own dealership. Where are you B Nelson??????? You looking for a job????
My issue is, that after replacing that actuator 3 times in one sitting (3 brand new units back to back within an hour) none of the actuators respond to the climate control in any mode(passenger side only) at any temperature. Any ideas?
Can you explain how you got the new one on? The white piece that sits in the door turns down to the right and there isn’t enough room to get the actuator on and rotate it to the position that door is in.
I'm convinced you took the dash off and just didn't show it. Getting the tiny wratchet in there was a royal pain. You must have small, slender fingers. I ended up removing the dash anyway. Easiest screw to get was the one through the hole I drilled
Brother thanks for the video. I am having trouble pulling the actuator off. How did you pull it out? One definitely needs lots of patience and time to complete this replacement. How long did it take you? It took me about an hour and a half two just to remove the bottom right screw took the longest. I can only feel my way through to unscrew. I did place a mirror on the floor to give me some visual but didn’t rely on it completely to place the T-20 in the screw itself. Looking at the mirror you have to move the wrench opposite and my brain doesn’t work well like that. Thanks again, took a little break to write this comment, back to my task.
David, hope you got it! Sorry, just seeing the comment. Yes, it’s Karate Kid style, doing it blindfolded. Once the screws are off, should pop off with a little force. This took me about 1.5 hours trying to figure out how to make it all work.
Hello I've done this replaced the old one (the right part) plug it back in without screwing the screws (the 3 t20 screws) yet and still the driver side still blows cold air and the passenger side is able to use heat(not strong heat but still heat) the actualador on the top you're able to see it moves when you switch the location but with the old and new part I bought for the bottom one it does not move when (when you dont have the actualador in you're able to manually move the switch left n right) does yours move when you switch from cold to hot?
Hai Huynh , there are two actuators next to each other. The top right controls the defrost, the bottom left controls the blender. You sure you replaced the correct actuator?
One other thing to try, do a reset on the hvac by removing the fuse under the glove box for 15 seconds. That repositions the actuators in the case that they were out of position.
This video was huge! Drilling the hole made things way easier. Always appreciate when people share their learnings. Will make this winter a lot more comfortable. Thanks
A HUGE thing for me - left screw was easy. Top right was easier if you take out the air filter. But the bottom right was very tough to get onto the screw. So I just switched to an allen wrench and got it out in about 2 minutes after struggling for like 30 minutes with a screwdriver and/or ratchet.
This video made it possible for me to fix my 2012 Buick enclave, it had the a/c on and heat blowing on passenger side, now it has cool air, Sincerely Bob
Thanks for this video man!! I just replaced mine following your directions and it worked perfectly all for the grand price of $40. . Car shop also quoted me $1,350 to replace it. It was still difficult but this helped me tremendously!!
Thanks for the tip about that tiny rachet!!! I replaced my actuator tonight all by myself!
right on laura!!
I'm a dealer Buick tech for 5 years and gm tech for 8. and yeah we love when these things fail. They pay 8.8 hours labor. That doesn't include diagnosis time or other actuators. Yes gm says you need to remove the entire dash. But literally NO TECH will ever tell you that you don't have to. This is a very easy repair for do it yourselfers. But most of the time customers will have service contracts. I highly highly encourage anyone who if looking to buy a Buick enclave get a service contract. Everything on these vehicles is expensive to repair. After one or two uses with your service contract it pays for itself. Nice video
How do u get a service contract
@@Jamealjames_reactions-funnyvid also curious about this bc, like OP said, everything is soo expensive to repair on these! I fix what I can on my own but I have a torque converter going bad and I'm not even gonna attempt that 😅
Great tip to drill the hole, worked like a charm. Blowing cold air from the passenger side again. It also helps if you are a professional contortionist.
Thanks to this video, I was able to perform the same part replacement for less than $20. I already had all the tools. Thanks again!
YOU ARE A FREAKIN GENIUS! Who the heck would think to do that???? Amazing.
My kind of guy. Wild how people just can’t think this way. Well done.
Nice video… couple tips I would add:
1) Remove black cover under dash/glovebox and you can sometimes use your other hand to assist.
2) You will probably lose a couple of the torx screws that you will need to reinstall (maybe source a couple before reinstall). Also magnetize your bit before removing & reinstalling screws.
3) use a small work light or flashlight.
4) maybe use a small articulating mirror (but it don’t help me much in this one as you will most likely be working blind to feel for the screw holes/screw locations. Just use the new actuator for reference and feel for the 2 half circle cutouts in the actuator body and listen for when you hear your metal bit scrape against metal screw and the n adjust, turn by hand the ratchet end to get it in place. Also, you may need to switch between fingers and Torx bit alone or a short & longer t20 Torx bit.
5) I used a combination of long assembled torx/hex/screwdriver handle for the screw exposed by the drilled out panel , the super tiny stubby ratchet for the other two screws.
6) used my fingers to reach in and set two of the 3 screws into their holes and twist to get started. Followed up with stubby ratchet.. (note, due to the odd position, I attacked a couple of the torx screws from underneath using my I the hand/finger to press on ratchet back end so it wouldn’t come off the screw as I ratcheted it to tighten. Installed the screw closest to the rear with a long screwdriver handle Torx driver (through the drilled out section).
7) Plug wires in and position onto blend door actuator cam before installing screws.
Good luck.
Super helpful - completed in about 30 minutes. Only thing I’d add for someone else about to do this: remove bottom dash - use pliers to pull down on plugs, will pop off easy. Extend seat back and lay on tour back for good access and view. Don’t bother trying to put the screw back that was caused feom the hole you made. Difficult and two tight screws suffice. When you put the glove back on make sure the right side lines up in the suspension track.
By far!!!!!! The most helpful video I ever seen for any part on any vehicle. I have my own dealership. Where are you B Nelson??????? You looking for a job????
Using a bore bit was GENIUS!
Omg this is a pain in the ass I’m glad I watch your video it made so much easier
Hey man thanks I wish I had that bit ratchet but I just took the t20 bit and locked it in the vice grip
Thank you so much for the video it helped out a great deal we saved $1,200 plus tax Jackson Tennessee
My issue is, that after replacing that actuator 3 times in one sitting (3 brand new units back to back within an hour) none of the actuators respond to the climate control in any mode(passenger side only) at any temperature. Any ideas?
Huge help ✅🎯 Do more vids like this
Es el mismo xq en el mío sale aire caliente siempre ?
Do you have a video for doing this on the driver's side?
This video was clutch!! I knocked this out in 45 minutes from start to finish. 😅
I used a 1/4 wrench to tighten the Torx bit on the bottom right.
My 2011 is blowing cold on passenger side while heat is on left side blows hot which actuator do I change my the top or bottom one TIA
Ever figure this out bc that's my problem too?
Can you explain how you got the new one on? The white piece that sits in the door turns down to the right and there isn’t enough room to get the actuator on and rotate it to the position that door is in.
Appreciate the tip 👍
Your a genius... Your like me. Find the easier way of doing things... 👊👊👊👍
I'm convinced you took the dash off and just didn't show it. Getting the tiny wratchet in there was a royal pain. You must have small, slender fingers. I ended up removing the dash anyway. Easiest screw to get was the one through the hole I drilled
Brother thanks for the video. I am having trouble pulling the actuator off.
How did you pull it out? One definitely needs lots of patience and time to complete this replacement. How long did it take you? It took me about an hour and a half two just to remove the bottom right screw took the longest. I can only feel my way through to unscrew. I did place a mirror on the floor to give me some visual but didn’t rely on it completely to place the T-20 in the screw itself. Looking at the mirror you have to move the wrench opposite and my brain doesn’t work well like that. Thanks again, took a little break to write this comment, back to my task.
David, hope you got it! Sorry, just seeing the comment. Yes, it’s Karate Kid style, doing it blindfolded. Once the screws are off, should pop off with a little force. This took me about 1.5 hours trying to figure out how to make it all work.
Thank you
Can you adj. The actuator at all the
Replaced my driver's side yesterday, driver's side was blowing cold fixed the problem but today after adjusting temp down probl is back any ideas?
cool man!
Does anyone know if both actuators are identical?
I lost one of the screws. Do you know what size I need to replace it?
How do I get the bottom cover off under the glove compartment?
My Buick is just the opposite . Driver side hot, passenger and rear cold. Directions?
It’s the other actuator on the opposite side.
@@bnelson4180 as in change the actuator under the steering wheel?
@@bnelson4180do you know how to get to it?
Is there only 1 actuator or is there one for each side: driver/passenger. ? Anyone.
Driver side left side near steering wheel passenger is hot right side by glove box
Hello I've done this replaced the old one (the right part) plug it back in without screwing the screws (the 3 t20 screws) yet and still the driver side still blows cold air and the passenger side is able to use heat(not strong heat but still heat) the actualador on the top you're able to see it moves when you switch the location but with the old and new part I bought for the bottom one it does not move when (when you dont have the actualador in you're able to manually move the switch left n right) does yours move when you switch from cold to hot?
Hai Huynh , there are two actuators next to each other. The top right controls the defrost, the bottom left controls the blender. You sure you replaced the correct actuator?
One other thing to try, do a reset on the hvac by removing the fuse under the glove box for 15 seconds. That repositions the actuators in the case that they were out of position.
Mines warm air in the rear but amazing AC in the front ?
Sounds like a different actuator. There are several in there.
👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Trying to get driver side to blow heat instead of cold
Am having this problem rite now
Its correct part but still no heat I'll try the fuse thanks
It’s not easy but easier than taking the dash apart. Can’t see the screws can’t get my hand in there let alone my head to see the screws.
He makes it look easy. Its not. Took me forever to
WTF!?! This is like watching a cooking video where they give you tha list of ingredients and then......a photo of the decorated cake....
Rockauto.com has this part for $15.00 fyi!
Thank you