Hey all! So a few months ago, one of my actuators on my 2003 G35 V6 sedan, I believe the mode door motor, started making a very loud clicking sound. I replaced it and the noise stopped but since then the vents have all been stuck on defrost and I can't seem to figure out how to get them to switch. When I switch the mode on the control panel it says it is on the floor or face vents but only blows from the defrost vents. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks in advance!

 

I'm not sure if this is like some other vehicles, I've worked on, but it could be a case of having the climate control system either relearned somehow, or the actuator wasn't positioned properly when it was installed. And worse case scenario would be that its your mode door that's broken and it won't change from defrost no matter what you do. Look for the FSM on google, they're full of great information, and even some diagnostic information. Good luck!

 

I think it has something to do with calibration because I didn't calibrate when the actuator was replaced a few months ago (didn't know I had too, not a car person lol) and after it was replaced it was then stuck on defrost. My friend has a scan tool that he is gonna hook my car up to. I'm hoping that's the fix bc I checked all the fuses and vacuum lines to be safe already. Is there anything in particular to do to calibrate it with the scan tool I should know?

 

That would be something I would look up in the factory service manual. I would definitely consult that.

https://www.nicoclub.com/infiniti-service-manuals

 

Well unfortunately the FSM does not mention anything about recalibration, it just says "Installation is basically the reverse order of removal." Is it safe to go ahead and run the scan tool calibration on it?

 

You can't install the blend or mode motor wrong, it only fits on one way. It is sealed with a little arm sticking out of the back, the arm hooks to the linkage. There's a potentiometer inside so the AC auto amp knows what position it's in so there is no recalibration steps.

 

Damn...well then would you have an idea of what my problem could be?

 

Try putting it in diagnostic mode to see if it will run through all the mode and blend cycles properly. This will help determine if the problem is physically the mode door is BROKEN, or if the AC auto amp is bad.

It would help if you removed your glove box so you could look up under the dash to verify the mode motor is trying to move or not. Plus you might find something else like a broken linkage by visibly looking at it.

You might have gotten a broken mode motor since it never did work correctly.

 

If the weather is good, I'm gonna take some time and tinker to see what I can see...I'm assuming the diagnostics mode stuff is in the ATC FSM?

 

Well after a whole afternoon on it, I found the issue! Basically the actuator was not moving the arms that control the vent doors properly because the nubs on the plastic lever behind it we're not matching the arms evenly. For anyone who has the problem in the future, it just takes some trial and error to see what works, thanks for the help!

 

Awesome, glad you got it all sorted out.