Note On Actuators:
Why Ram Parts USA
Blend Door USA helped to established Ram Parts USA to address the difficulty in sourcing Mopar parts for specific repairs, particularly the 3rd Gen actuator. Before launching the Ram site, customers struggled to find these actuators. While we’ve temporarily solved the issue, the actuators are now completely out of stock from Mopar, with a large back-order pending.
Finding OEM actuators has become increasingly challenging. Unless someone is selling unused stock on platforms like eBay or through salvage yards, they are nearly impossible to source. Salvage yards remain the most reliable option, and on the 3rd Gen Rams, actuators are easy to access in two locations:
1. Behind the glove box (Recirculation).
2. Near the accelerator pedal (Defrost).
These locations are also the best places to reinstall actuators that were previously running on broken doors since they can be replaced without removing the dash again.
Why Actuators Fail
Actuators fail because they continuously turn when the door mechanism is broken. The truck relies on the actuator to detect resistance to stop its motion. When no resistance is detected, the actuator keeps turning whenever the truck key is in the “run” position. This can lead to:
1. Overheating and actuator failure.
2. Resistance errors that prevent the door from closing fully.
OEM-TRW actuators are designed to handle this demand. They feature two pins (positive and negative), which determine the direction of motion. While a quick polarity test (using 9V or 12V power) can confirm functionality, it won’t indicate whether the actuator can handle the load required to completely seal the door. Unlike OEM actuators, aftermarket actuators lack durability. Their drive gears strip under constant use, creating a clicking sound under the dash when they fail.
Reusing Actuators
Until OEM actuators are back in stock, we recommend reusing original actuators whenever possible. Follow these steps:
1. Avoid aftermarket actuators to prevent repeating the repair process.
2. Label actuators after removing the HVAC box from the truck for easy tracking.
3. Test actuators from broken doors to ensure they turn in both directions, then note their condition.
4. Place actuators from broken doors in accessible locations:
• Recirculation (behind the glove box - easiest to access and replace).
• Defrost (near the accelerator pedal).
These positions allow for easier replacement if needed.
5. Use actuators from undamaged doors in other locations. OEM-TRW actuators rarely fail when used on functional doors. Once they encounter resistance and kick out properly, they are extremely durable.
A special note to our customers on door actuators:
We have had several customers contact us with reports of a clicking noise while trying to change modes and a loss of airflow control. This clicking noise is the result of a failed door actuator; more specifically, it is because the teeth on the plastic gear inside have sheared and are now slipping. Nearly all of these failures have been traced back to using an aftermarket door actuator in the vehicle. Several of these aftermarket actuators failed while using the stock plastic doors, and several have failed after our aluminum doors were installed.
So why do these actuators fail? Most electronic actuators do not have any limit switches inside to signal when the actuator has reached full open or full closed. Instead, they rely on the actual door to stop the movement of the actuator. When the door is commanded open or closed, the actuator will continuously turn until the door is pressed against the housing. After the door touches the housing, the actuator continues to try to move it even though there is no movement left. This causes the electric motor inside the actuator to draw more current while it tries to move an unmovable object. The vehicle’s computer detects this change in current draw and cuts power to the circuit. This is repeated every time a door is cycled from one position to the other.
This is the exact reason why the plastic doors fail. The plastic door is not strong enough to withstand the force that the actuators place on them, which causes them to split. Our aluminum doors are significantly stronger than the OEM plastic pieces or any aftermarket alternative and therefore will not fail. The makers of aftermarket actuators know that the originals are stronger than they need to be for the plastic doors, so they have chosen to make a weaker replacement to lower the manufacturing cost. The failure of an aftermarket actuator is not due to the design or the weight of the door itself, but rather the fact that they are not strong enough to withstand the forces applied when the doors contact the housing.
Many customers choose to do a full rebuild of the HVAC box while it is out of the vehicle to eliminate any possible failure in the near future. This typically includes a full set of our aluminum doors, a new evaporator, new heater core, and all new actuators. While there is no harm in replacing everything, the problem comes when people decide to purchase and install aftermarket door actuators. These actuators are not nearly as strong as the OEM actuators. Failure of these actuators can happen immediately, or after several years of use. Generally, replacement of an actuator requires the dash to be pulled out of the vehicle again.
Considering all of the feedback we have received about aftermarket actuators, Blend Door-USA strongly recommends that you reinstall OEM actuators back into your vehicle. If you need or wish to purchase a new actuator, we recommend that you get one from Ram Parts USA to ensure that you are actually getting an OEM actuator and not a cheap knockoff. We believe that trying to save a few dollars initially; will only cause you problems in the long run.
Blend Door-USA