Blend door actuator identification???

[greast]

Hi - been fixing LOTS of stuff on a 2001 Ford Ranger Edge I just picked up last December. It is an automatic, 3.0l 2WD, regular cab.
I am trying to determine if the blend door system is functioning. A/C isn't getting as cold as it should, new compressor and system is charged. I can see the actuator DOES move when temp control is adjusted, but my actuator doesn't look like ANY OTHERS I have seen in my searching/research. It doesn't look like the same part when looking up a new actuator either? I am wondering if the unit in my truck is from an older or newer application? I really need some guidance here to determine what I have and what I need to do to see if the blend door is actually moving.
The picture below is what I think is the blend door actuator on my truck. It DOES NOT have an electronic plug like others have described in my searches. The FORD part number stamped on my actuator is YL5H-19E871-AC. When I search that part number, it comes up as the electronic replacement that others describe in their help articles, but mine doesn't look like those? I have included a picture of my actuator sitting on top of a white towel, thought it would be easier to see.
If anyone can give me a push in the right direction to help me determine what I have and how I should proceed, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much - greast - chuckw

 

[adsm08]

That is some sort of cable actuation device. It looks like it came off a Focus.

 

[Dirtman]

I've replaced alot of blend door actuators on 98+ rangers. Never seen that thing before. Maybe the previous owner tried rigging it up with random parts he had laying around?

 

[greast]

Ahhhh, just found out the control IS from a Ford Focus (thanks adsm08!). Searched google and images/pictures until I found one that looked like it. I now know the new part number is YH-1616, so will do some more research on what it takes to get to the blend door on a 2000 - 2007 Ford Focus 2.0L-L4. Wow, who would have thought?
Thanks for the replies!! - greast

 

[adsm08]

IIRC you remove the control head, that pops off the back, and then you can reach the other end fairly easily and unclip it too, just pull the whole thing through.

 

[greast]

IIRC you remove the control head, that pops off the back, and then you can reach the other end fairly easily and unclip it too, just pull the whole thing through.

The actuator itself is working. It appears the actuator is moving the upper attachment to the door, but I'm not convinced the blend door is moving? It looks like the door is vertical similar to what other Ranger owners have described, but I can't tell if the top of the door is connected to the actuator or if it is broken in one of the ways others have described.

My thought is to make the triangular cut into the bottom of the plenum to confirm it IS moving. I could open it on the vertical wall section just behind the glove box. It certainly would be easier to observe, but I'm not sure with the cut on the vertical wall I would be able to replace the door if it is damaged. Is there another way to check the door without open the plenum? I'm not against cutting it, but if there is another way to confirm its operation, I would like to try that first.
Thanks adsm08 !

 

[adsm08]

If you can remove the actuator and get your hand on the accessible portion of the door it should be easy to feel if it is broken or not.

 

[greast]

If you can remove the actuator and get your hand on the accessible portion of the door it should be easy to feel if it is broken or not.

Actuator is the one that has two parts, the stationary part uses bolts to anchor it. I will give that a try. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your time, and effort to post with me. All was a GREAT help. - greast

 

[55trucker]

The actuator is the square motorized item that is screwed to the top of the HVAC. They do fail, but more often than not the blend door snaps at the top of the door just below the enclosure surface where the actuator slips down into it, so the blend door no longer swings thru its range of motion. There is a Dorman replacement, one has to cut open the bottom of the enclosure to get the old door out & the new one in.