Spot on! What a stupid design. Inherently, the matrix is more reliable as it doesn't have this issue.Bookworm wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:14 pm You aren't missing anything. You've just seen _why_ they break.
This is a constant load motor, running positive or negative. The button just switches the direction. When it hits a stop, it then continues to try to turn, but isn't strong enough to overload the shaft.
The fix for this would have been to either use metal gears, or put in a contact stop switch. Needless to say, NUMMI didn't think the extra cost was worth it, as it wouldn't be THEIR car that had the failure.
Hopefully you didn't throw the old one away. Pop it open, flip the gear, and you now have a spare if/when the replacement breaks a tooth.06BlackVibe wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:46 pm Bookworm & zbyers, thank you very much for the helpful information. I replaced the part and it appears to be working on. Thanks again.
Yep. Couldn't agree more. This is what you'll find when opening it up
Remove the glove box, and you'll see it. I JUST did mine yesterday. It's not hard, really. Just two small 5.5mm screws holding it in, and the electrical connector.. 2 hours later, I was finally finished.
It helps if you have a thumb socket wrench - looks like a hockey puck, but takes a 1/4" socket.
I ended up losing that screw, so mine is only held in by the one lower screw. My replacement came from Amazon for like... $10. Not expecting much, but figured if it's going to go bad, might as well make it cheap.Jbenrod wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2019 2:13 pm I still don't know how people are able to get that top screw out. I can reach up and feel it but since there is a cable or duct just to the left of it I can never get a tool or even just the socket in there to get on the screw head.
Regardless, I wanted to report that switching the gear (180) with the worn teeth didn't last but a few months on my Vibe before the other side teeth stripped out as well. Next I purchased a new Dorman actuator unit and it has now already failed with probably less than 12,000 miles (same "ticking" noise now happening again). Therefore I can not recommend the Dorman brand for a replacement.
Welcome to genvibe!gr8n8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:08 pm Does the blend door have a default position? like spring loaded one position or the other? Arizona heat right up under the top of the dash is going to cook the gears quickly. I'd be willing to let it remain in the fresh air position or figure out a cable install to change it rather than need to change it multiple times.
thanks
Sorry, but flip which gear? I’ve got it opened up on the coffee table right now and just don’t see what can flip.Bookworm wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 12:38 amHopefully you didn't throw the old one away. Pop it open, flip the gear, and you now have a spare if/when the replacement breaks a tooth.06BlackVibe wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:46 pm Bookworm & zbyers, thank you very much for the helpful information. I replaced the part and it appears to be working on. Thanks again.
see tpollauf's picture above showing the inside of the actuator, and you'll notice the biggest white gear is missing two teeth. Pull that one out, put it back in rotated 180 degrees
You were only two or three 5.5mm bolts away from replacing it yourself when you unplugged the electrical connector.philipsoeder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 1:51 pm After confirming recirculation/max a/c button wad disengaged so hvac is in fresh air mode, I just removed glovebox, squeezed the electrical connector and pulled it’s power. Also pulled hepa filter, washed it out thoroughly, let it dry and put it back in.
Last time the actuator failed it cost $241 for mechanic to replace and new part broke within 18 months.
Taking away its power was free, and my hepa filter is like new, for free.
Only drawback is my windows won’t fog in winter when the recirculation/max air dash button gets stuck!
That top bolt!!! Arggghhh
I sent an old one to a guy on the GV Facebook page. It is a "get around to it" project for him though. But he is planning on making them out of something stronger.A Psycho Martyr wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:34 am Any chance we can get that little gear 3d printed out of something more durable?
lol, I have a few of those
I bought the cheapest I could find on Amazon/eBay lol
I can't find it, but I remember somewhere someone here said that works
You can do that, but I would still open it and see that none of the teeth on the other side are broken as if it had already been rotated once before, or any teeth on the other gears or axles are damaged as well.ZZvroom wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 5:13 pm We replaced it today, at the cost of a lost socket and a lot of headscratching over where it went.
I wonder about one thing. On the bad unit, do you need to open it to move the gear?
Suppose you mark the position, power it & help it past the missing gear.
Stop at the 180 degree point and reinstall.
Jammin81 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:37 pmThat top bolt!!! Arggghhh
I coated the socket I used with electrical tape and left it over night.
The gummy / sticky mess gave me the grip to break the bolt. I don’t have massive hands but we’re sore enough after this fiddly (removed). That bar is best removed or placed aside if you can be bothered to remove ANOTHER awkward 10 mm (?) bolt from memory.......
YES .... It definitely helps out by removing/bending it out of the way. Yellow arrow points to the support bar. I believe when I changed mine out, I bent it DOWNward just enough for my left hand to get in there and access the top bolt.KingKrab65 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 3:46 am
What is the bar that you are referring to? How much of an (removed) irritant is it to move and put back into position? And does it help with accessibility to the top bolt?
Thanks for your help!
Thank you so much. I was hoping that it wasn't the bar going across the picture. Also it is isn't helping being right handed trying to do everything left handed. I will have to give this a shot and report back with the results.tpollauf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:35 amYES .... It definitely helps out by removing/bending it out of the way. Yellow arrow points to the support bar. I believe when I changed mine out, I bent it DOWNward just enough for my left hand to get in there and access the top bolt.KingKrab65 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 3:46 am
What is the bar that you are referring to? How much of an (removed) irritant is it to move and put back into position? And does it help with accessibility to the top bolt?
Thanks for your help!
Glad to hear you finally succeeded at changing this out! Glad my input helped you out, as that's why we're all here in the first place. To share knowledge on Vibe's, share stories, and encourage all of us to keep these great cars on the road. .................... TimKingKrab65 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:14 am Thanks to everyone for their patience and help especially tpollauf for the extremely helpful picture!
Thank you for this advise. It worked!pwyu1969 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 08, 2019 10:06 am The trick to getting the top screw is (1) using the 5mm or 5/32 (I think) socket, wrap the barrel with two sided tape. I use the kind to adhere body trim as it has the foam core to add thickness. The tape adhesive and added thickness allows you to take it out and put it back in. (2) if you can reach your hand in to touch the screws, you can use this method. I’ve done all my vibes this way.