What's An Actuator Cam???

[drjimbo]

Please see the thread after this one concerning the popping noise. A post said it was the actuator cam causing the problem. Thanks

[drjimbo]

Any answer as the what an actutator cam is and if I can replace it myself?

[ReefShark]

Well, an actuator cam, as described to me is the controller in the a/c system that directs air flow to the vent setting you choose, dash, dash/floor, floor, defrost, etc. My TB is at the dealers today getting it fixed. The repair cost is about $700 ant they have to pull the dash.

It takes a full day. Mine is an '02 with 57k miles. I thought my extended warranty should cover it, but no.

It was clicking behind the dash as many people have described at start up or when the a/c was redirected. I asked what would happen if I did not have it fixed and was told it would go out soon and I would not be able to redirect the air.

With winter coming soon and the need for defroster, I decided to bite the bullet and have it fixed.

[drjimbo]

Thanks for responding. Were you able to get it fixed and did the replacement solve the problem. Also, were they able to tell you why this stopped working and needed to be replaced in the first place? It seems like this is a problem with a lot of Trailblazers. Why doesn't Chevrolet pay for the repair...it's obviously a defect in the part.

[ReefShark]

You got my on why Chev does not cover, but here is a recap of my day. I posted this on another "clicking question" on this thread. It does seem to be a common problem, but not a safety issue... so I guess no pressure to recall.

I took my '02 Trailblazer to the dealer last week to have the clicking repaired. From the posts on this thread I figured it was the actuator cam. The dealer confirmed that.

I was hoping that my extended warranty would cover the repair, but as usual, this part was not covered in the Gold Plus, only the Platinum.

Since the diagnostic service (needed before we could find out that it was not covered) had cost $78, I decided to bite the bullet and have it repaired.

The actuator cam was stripped.
Labor to pull the dash and replace the cam: $453.60
Part: $52.83
Total: $506.43 (GULP)

While we were already there, dash pulled, I had them check why I did not have speed 5 on the fan control.
Result: Test and replace Blower Resistor.
Labor: $113.40
Part: $27.79
Total: $141.19
Total for the day (not including rental car) : $647.62

Needless to say, not real happy, but there is no way I felt I could pull the dash.
Hope this helps and good luck.

[tom3]

As most GM techs will admit, they are only interested in getting you trough the warranty period. Period. Consider pulsing brakes, they will turn/machine the rotors and put on the old brake pads usually. Most mechanics know that a warped rotor will do it again in a few thousand miles and you'd never put old pads on a newly finished disc. Many examples of this type repair if you look around. Not unsafe, but not real commendable either.