How to Remove Driverside/passanger Side Temp Controll Actuators in 04 Chevy Siverado

This instructable is how to remove both driverside and passenager side temp controll actuators in a 04 Chevy Siverado. If you have noticed that your temp controll units are on cold and it is blowing out hot air then there is a good chance that the actuators that controll what type of air (hot or cold, or both for dual climate zone units like this one) are going bad. a first simple fix for this is to set both temp controll dials to COLD, then disconnect your battery for 5 mins, reconnect and DO NOT TOUCH THE temo controll buttons, just turn on your fan to max and your AC button, DO NOT TOUCH THE TEMP CONTROLL BUTTONS FOR AT LEAST 5 MINS!! if it is blowing out cold air after that  CONGRATS!!! problem solved!!! IF you contiune to get hot air when it is set to cold then READ this insturactable and save a few gran from the dealer. (I really mean a few grand.... this takes ALOT OF TIME AND WORK SO BE WARNED)

NOTE:  I FOUND THIS INFO FROM ANOTHER WEBSITE, BUT THE PERSON THAT POSTED IT WAS CONTACTED BY ( CHEVY OR SOME COMPANY I GUESS) AND WAS TOLD TO STOP POSTING ON THIS. SO OUT OF NOT WANTING TO GET THAT PEROSN IN MORE TROUBLE I (SORRY GUYS) WILL NOT POST THE WEBSITE HERE.

Tools:
Metric and standard socket set
flathead/phillips screwdriver
volt test meter
prybar
magnet/ stick to attatch it to
TIME!!!

WARNING!!!!! YOU ARE DOING THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!! ANY DAMAGE YOU DO TO YOUR TRUCK AS A RESULT OF FOLLOWING/NOT FOLLOWING THIS INSTRUCTABLE IS YOUR OWN VICTORY OVER THE DEALER/YOUR OWN FAULT!

This 2004 Chevrolet Silverado came in with multiple hvac actuator faults. After diagnosing a faulty passenger side blend air door actuator with a Tech 2 scan tool it was time to remove the dash cover. Not a big deal but there are a lot of steps.

Lift the lower edge of the dash end caps and remove the covers.

There are two phillips headed screws. A short screw driver is needed to do this. Remember to do this on both sides of the dash.

Using a small screw driver or other similar device, gently pry the passenger side vents from the dash.

Work the vent out evenly. If it is cocked to one side or the other it will tend to jamb. you can two or even four screwdrivers to do this quicker if you want.

There is a phillips headed screw under each vent on the passenger side.

Repeat the process on the other vent.

Now, look up into the upper edge of both vent holes. You will see a white push button. Depress the buttons.

Pull the passenger handle from the dash. You can alternate from side to side until it is fully removed or you can have someone assist you.

Grasp the upper edge of the trim panel and pull out. Once the upper edge is released, work the panel up until it releases from the dash panel.

Rotate the panel over to expose the tweeter wiring, if present. Depress the locking tab and pull the connectors apart.

Grasp the upper edge of the dash face panel and pull it loose from the dash.

Work around the dash face until all of the clips are free. Tilt the steering wheel fully down. Turn the ignition on and drop the shifter handle all of the way down. Roll the upper edge of the dash face out towards you. The panel will have to be flexed above the center of the instrument cluster to release the face panel fully.

A better view of releasing the "A" pillar trim panel.

Remove the 7 mm headed screws around the edge of the dash cover panel.

Once all screws are removed, the dash cover will pull off of the dash carrier. It has to be pulled away from the windshield to release the forward clips. Then lifted slightly to clear the leading edge of the dash carrier.

Most trucks will have the ambient light sensor and possibly a sun load sensor mounted to the underside of the dash.

The ambient light sensor twists out like a light bulb. Be gentle with this part as it is fragile. If it has the second sensor, it has to be unplugged.

Support the dash cover evenly as you pull it from the vehicle.

Now , remove the two 7 mm screws that hold the right driver's side vent register in place. Remove the vent register.

Remove the panel holding the passenger side airbag switch. The panel may be blank in some years. It pulls out and uses spring clips to hold it in place.

Now, if you look under the vent duct you will see the wiring for the passenger side blend air door actuator.  Look closely and you should see the actuator itself.

Now that the dash cover is off and you can see the actuator, but you still cannot get to it. More things need to come apart.

Remove the wiring hold down clips from the metal brackets as shown below.

Remove the wiring hold down clips from the metal brackets as shown below.

Remove the 7 mm headed screws from the brackets on the passenger side.

Using a ratchet remove the two 10 mm headed screws from the front edges of the bracket on the passenger side.

Remove the 7mm  screw from the driver's side of the cross over bracket.  Remove  the bracket.

Now the "U" shaped bracket on the passenger side can be removed.

Remove the 7 mm screws on the driver's side bracket. I also remove the two 10 mm bolts on the driver's side bracket to make sure the dash will move around freely.

Disable the air bag or SRS system according to the manufacturers directions. Then remove the two upper 10 mm bolts from the air bag as shown in the next two pictures.

Then remove the two lower air bag screws.

Note that the air bag screws are shorter than the bracket screws. Do Not put the long bolts back in the airbag when reassembling.

Pull the orange "positive assurance clip" from the yellow connector. Disconnect the connector and remove the airbag. Use the manufacturers recommendations for handling and storing the airbag.

Getting close but more still has to come out. The silver box shown below is the vehicle communication interface module. It may not be present on all vehicles as it is related to the Onstar System.

There are three 10 mm nuts that hold the module to the brackets. They are locking nuts so they have to be wrenched all of the way off.

Remove the two 10 mm nuts at the passenger end of the dash carrier. Do Not mix these nuts up with the ones removed from the VCIM brackets.

Now remove the 7 mm screw from the backside of the right passenger vent.

Remove the 7 mm screw from the position shown below.

Wiggle the corner of the dash out as shown below.

I used a screwdriver handle to keep the duct work lifted.

I also used a pry bar to lift the duct work slightly to give myself more room. The weight of the pry bar is enough to keep the duct work up but you may want someone to hold it for you. If someone hold it for you be sure they do not use the area in the center of the opening for a fulcrum. It will break the mounting panel where the nut is for the phillips headed screw that was removed much earlier.

The VCIM can now be wiggled up and the wires disconnected.

Remove the wiring harness retaining clip from the bracket as shown below.

Remove the wiring harness clip from the cross bar as shown in the two pictures below. Lift the harness slightly to gain more room to work.

Using a short 5.5 mm socket and ratchet, remove the two mounting screws. Disconnect the wiring from the actuator before removing the screws. makes it a little easier.

You will actually need to work through two openings and use both hands to make it easier.

A magnet on a stick works real well fro retrieving dropped screws and  sockets.

You can finally remove the actuator from the dash.

Free at last.

The new and old actuators. The numbers match 52402588.
If you need to buy one of these actuators please click here.

YOU JUST SAVED A FEW THOUSAND $$$ FROM THE DEALER !!!!!