Why would the valve cause the blend door to break?
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Air conditioning Hack
- Thread starter KcRay
- Start date
Why would the valve cause the blend door to break?
Cross88
Well-Known Member
I was actually wondering the same thing, because isn’t the blend door located after the heater core and within the dash? I don’t understand how a valve, to just restrict coolant flow to the heater core have any effect on the operation of the blend door? I myself have my valve at about 50% now, get just under my oem a/c temps (only by a couple degrees) and 120* worth of heat when need, pretty much oem.
It wouldn't, my guess is the blend doors are fragile to begin with if they are actually breaking.
ColoradoCub
Ram Guru
I’m not sure why you think that the blend doors are going to break. i just don’t think the hot air door is closing all the way, could be the casting of the heater box door opening, not a long enough rod or an actuator without enough throw. But I can’t see a correlation with them breaking.
Could be that the flaw causes extra stress on them due to the defect and being plastic or thin metal actuators their service life will be cut short...just a guess.
In any case I am really floored that FCA hasn't come up with a true TSB for total correction of the problem. It's so glaring a defect!
Last edited:
I have fixed many issues like this in other FCA vehicles. You are dealing with little bitty soft plastic gears in the actuators any slight tolerance issue and the actuators with eat the gears and fall apart. If the actuators dont fall apart then it will break the stops, blend door and or, the blend door gear.
The HeaterTreater replaces any of the plastic doors in the Dodge Ram HVAC system with steel. Replacing the existing doors with another plastic door is at best a stop-gap solution. The failure is a result of excessive forces generated by the DC servo motor in the calibration of the door.
If you are considering aluminum or plastic doors, please read the comments below.
There are five different door systems in the truck and HeaterTreater can replace any or all of the doors.
1. Re-circulation door.
This door is located above the fan motor behind the glove box opening. You can observe the door by fully opening the glove box and checking the door through the internal air intake grate. When broken, it can either stall in one position or fall down on top of the fan motor. It should be either fully open or fully closed, never in the middle.
The RAM has a design flaw and a stop point molded into the re-circ box is missing such that force is always applied to the door in one direction, not the limit pin as designed. This door is most susceptible to failure and replacing it with plastic will ultimately fail again. The dealer sells a complete new box with the molding error fixed, but you have to remove the plenum box and evacuate the AC to access it. Even after all the work and with re-designed parts, the cheap plastic will still fail again. Our steel door takes into account the Dodge design error and is a permanent fix.
2. Blend door
The truck has an upper and lower blend door that "clamshell" over the heater core which is on a horizontal plane. The upper door is connected to the actuator motor and has to withstand the calibration forces and is susceptible to breakage. The lower door is connected to the upper door with a wire rod and is strictly a follower to the upper door. Typically we see the upper door break and recommend replacing just the upper door and just re-use the lower plastic door since it is primarily flow control, not temperature, and it is more difficult to replace. We can replace the lower door if there is physical damage to the lower door, just contact us via email ([email protected]) and we will provide parts and additional instructions. The lower blend door is sometimes referred to as the “fifth door” and generally replacing it is not necessary.
The above discussion is for single control, not dual control(separate temperature control for driver and passenger). On the dual control system there is an actuator motor hidden on the back of the box to control the passenger side blend doors. We can replace the upper and lower doors, but this will convert the system from dual control to single control. Note that failure on the dual control system is rare and generally we recommend leaving it alone unless there is obvious physical damage. May be a different control algorithm or stronger parts, but failure is rare.
We do see issues with a temperature differential between the driver and passenger side on both dual and single control that is related to problems with the heater core and/or the AC evaporator core. If you can change temperature, but not get good performance, the core(s) are probably the problem. We have write up's on both issues and will be happy to provide additional information via an email request. The core is a parallel flow core(not serpentine) and it’s common for some channels to flow poorly. One way to check is to let the engine get to full operating temperature with the heater off. If you get a burst of heat when you first turn it on, but it dissipates, this is an indication that the air flow is extracting heat faster than it’s being replenished. Here are links to information on the heater core and AC evap core which outlines common problems and solutions. Heater core issues AC Evaporator Core
heatertreater.net
If you are considering aluminum or plastic doors, please read the comments below.
There are five different door systems in the truck and HeaterTreater can replace any or all of the doors.
1. Re-circulation door.
This door is located above the fan motor behind the glove box opening. You can observe the door by fully opening the glove box and checking the door through the internal air intake grate. When broken, it can either stall in one position or fall down on top of the fan motor. It should be either fully open or fully closed, never in the middle.
The RAM has a design flaw and a stop point molded into the re-circ box is missing such that force is always applied to the door in one direction, not the limit pin as designed. This door is most susceptible to failure and replacing it with plastic will ultimately fail again. The dealer sells a complete new box with the molding error fixed, but you have to remove the plenum box and evacuate the AC to access it. Even after all the work and with re-designed parts, the cheap plastic will still fail again. Our steel door takes into account the Dodge design error and is a permanent fix.
2. Blend door
The truck has an upper and lower blend door that "clamshell" over the heater core which is on a horizontal plane. The upper door is connected to the actuator motor and has to withstand the calibration forces and is susceptible to breakage. The lower door is connected to the upper door with a wire rod and is strictly a follower to the upper door. Typically we see the upper door break and recommend replacing just the upper door and just re-use the lower plastic door since it is primarily flow control, not temperature, and it is more difficult to replace. We can replace the lower door if there is physical damage to the lower door, just contact us via email ([email protected]) and we will provide parts and additional instructions. The lower blend door is sometimes referred to as the “fifth door” and generally replacing it is not necessary.
The above discussion is for single control, not dual control(separate temperature control for driver and passenger). On the dual control system there is an actuator motor hidden on the back of the box to control the passenger side blend doors. We can replace the upper and lower doors, but this will convert the system from dual control to single control. Note that failure on the dual control system is rare and generally we recommend leaving it alone unless there is obvious physical damage. May be a different control algorithm or stronger parts, but failure is rare.
We do see issues with a temperature differential between the driver and passenger side on both dual and single control that is related to problems with the heater core and/or the AC evaporator core. If you can change temperature, but not get good performance, the core(s) are probably the problem. We have write up's on both issues and will be happy to provide additional information via an email request. The core is a parallel flow core(not serpentine) and it’s common for some channels to flow poorly. One way to check is to let the engine get to full operating temperature with the heater off. If you get a burst of heat when you first turn it on, but it dissipates, this is an indication that the air flow is extracting heat faster than it’s being replenished. Here are links to information on the heater core and AC evap core which outlines common problems and solutions. Heater core issues AC Evaporator Core
Dodge Ram '02-'08
The HeaterTreater attacks the root cause of the failure by constructing steel hardware that is designed to last for the life of the automobile, no plastic that could ever break again. The kit includes detailed instructions and all hardware required to complete the fix, including dremel bits and...
heatertreater.net
The HeaterTreater replaces any of the plastic doors in the Dodge Ram HVAC system with steel. Replacing the existing doors with another plastic door is at best a stop-gap solution. The failure is a result of excessive forces generated by the DC servo motor in the calibration of the door.
If you are considering aluminum or plastic doors, please read the comments below.
There are five different door systems in the truck and HeaterTreater can replace any or all of the doors.
1. Re-circulation door.
This door is located above the fan motor behind the glove box opening. You can observe the door by fully opening the glove box and checking the door through the internal air intake grate. When broken, it can either stall in one position or fall down on top of the fan motor. It should be either fully open or fully closed, never in the middle.
The RAM has a design flaw and a stop point molded into the re-circ box is missing such that force is always applied to the door in one direction, not the limit pin as designed. This door is most susceptible to failure and replacing it with plastic will ultimately fail again. The dealer sells a complete new box with the molding error fixed, but you have to remove the plenum box and evacuate the AC to access it. Even after all the work and with re-designed parts, the cheap plastic will still fail again. Our steel door takes into account the Dodge design error and is a permanent fix.
2. Blend door
The truck has an upper and lower blend door that "clamshell" over the heater core which is on a horizontal plane. The upper door is connected to the actuator motor and has to withstand the calibration forces and is susceptible to breakage. The lower door is connected to the upper door with a wire rod and is strictly a follower to the upper door. Typically we see the upper door break and recommend replacing just the upper door and just re-use the lower plastic door since it is primarily flow control, not temperature, and it is more difficult to replace. We can replace the lower door if there is physical damage to the lower door, just contact us via email ([email protected]) and we will provide parts and additional instructions. The lower blend door is sometimes referred to as the “fifth door” and generally replacing it is not necessary.
The above discussion is for single control, not dual control(separate temperature control for driver and passenger). On the dual control system there is an actuator motor hidden on the back of the box to control the passenger side blend doors. We can replace the upper and lower doors, but this will convert the system from dual control to single control. Note that failure on the dual control system is rare and generally we recommend leaving it alone unless there is obvious physical damage. May be a different control algorithm or stronger parts, but failure is rare.
We do see issues with a temperature differential between the driver and passenger side on both dual and single control that is related to problems with the heater core and/or the AC evaporator core. If you can change temperature, but not get good performance, the core(s) are probably the problem. We have write up's on both issues and will be happy to provide additional information via an email request. The core is a parallel flow core(not serpentine) and it’s common for some channels to flow poorly. One way to check is to let the engine get to full operating temperature with the heater off. If you get a burst of heat when you first turn it on, but it dissipates, this is an indication that the air flow is extracting heat faster than it’s being replenished. Here are links to information on the heater core and AC evap core which outlines common problems and solutions. Heater core issues AC Evaporator Core
Dodge Ram '02-'08
The HeaterTreater attacks the root cause of the failure by constructing steel hardware that is designed to last for the life of the automobile, no plastic that could ever break again. The kit includes detailed instructions and all hardware required to complete the fix, including dremel bits and...
Posts from buyers that this worked for....upcoming version for 2019+ Rams? Interesting at the least...
ColoradoCub
Ram Guru
The HeaterTreater replaces any of the plastic doors in the Dodge Ram HVAC system with steel. Replacing the existing doors with another plastic door is at best a stop-gap solution. The failure is a result of excessive forces generated by the DC servo motor in the calibration of the door.
If you are considering aluminum or plastic doors, please read the comments below.
There are five different door systems in the truck and HeaterTreater can replace any or all of the doors.
1. Re-circulation door.
This door is located above the fan motor behind the glove box opening. You can observe the door by fully opening the glove box and checking the door through the internal air intake grate. When broken, it can either stall in one position or fall down on top of the fan motor. It should be either fully open or fully closed, never in the middle.
The RAM has a design flaw and a stop point molded into the re-circ box is missing such that force is always applied to the door in one direction, not the limit pin as designed. This door is most susceptible to failure and replacing it with plastic will ultimately fail again. The dealer sells a complete new box with the molding error fixed, but you have to remove the plenum box and evacuate the AC to access it. Even after all the work and with re-designed parts, the cheap plastic will still fail again. Our steel door takes into account the Dodge design error and is a permanent fix.
2. Blend door
The truck has an upper and lower blend door that "clamshell" over the heater core which is on a horizontal plane. The upper door is connected to the actuator motor and has to withstand the calibration forces and is susceptible to breakage. The lower door is connected to the upper door with a wire rod and is strictly a follower to the upper door. Typically we see the upper door break and recommend replacing just the upper door and just re-use the lower plastic door since it is primarily flow control, not temperature, and it is more difficult to replace. We can replace the lower door if there is physical damage to the lower door, just contact us via email ([email protected]) and we will provide parts and additional instructions. The lower blend door is sometimes referred to as the “fifth door” and generally replacing it is not necessary.
The above discussion is for single control, not dual control(separate temperature control for driver and passenger). On the dual control system there is an actuator motor hidden on the back of the box to control the passenger side blend doors. We can replace the upper and lower doors, but this will convert the system from dual control to single control. Note that failure on the dual control system is rare and generally we recommend leaving it alone unless there is obvious physical damage. May be a different control algorithm or stronger parts, but failure is rare.
We do see issues with a temperature differential between the driver and passenger side on both dual and single control that is related to problems with the heater core and/or the AC evaporator core. If you can change temperature, but not get good performance, the core(s) are probably the problem. We have write up's on both issues and will be happy to provide additional information via an email request. The core is a parallel flow core(not serpentine) and it’s common for some channels to flow poorly. One way to check is to let the engine get to full operating temperature with the heater off. If you get a burst of heat when you first turn it on, but it dissipates, this is an indication that the air flow is extracting heat faster than it’s being replenished. Here are links to information on the heater core and AC evap core which outlines common problems and solutions. Heater core issues AC Evaporator Core
Dodge Ram '02-'08
The HeaterTreater attacks the root cause of the failure by constructing steel hardware that is designed to last for the life of the automobile, no plastic that could ever break again. The kit includes detailed instructions and all hardware required to complete the fix, including dremel bits and...
they haven’t made a product for current ram truck in 11 model years. I don’t see the relevance here.
Gman
Ram Guru
'02 to '08? That was over a decade ago. How is this even relevant to this conversation?
ETA: I should have refreshed before replying. ColoradoCub was already on the ball.
ETA: I should have refreshed before replying. ColoradoCub was already on the ball.
Has anyone tried this one yet?
Vintage Air 50507-VUA Vintage Air Replacement Heater Valve Controls | Summit Racing
Free Shipping - Vintage Air Replacement Heater Valve Controls with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Air Conditioning System Replacement Components at Summit Racing.www.summitracing.com
jdmartin
Ram Guru
Interesting idea for sure, if you can find somewhere hidden to place the switch!
brian42
Ram Guru
I've done something similar on my previous truck (Ford). It should work as long as the diameter is correct for our heater hose.
How many of you guys have the full length sunroof?
That POS is what cooks the interior when parked in the sun. Would help if they had put some reflective tint on it or something to deflect the sun.
Last truck (15 Ram) had no sunroof and thee A/C froze me out of the cab on the hottest days.
Last edited:
Gman
Ram Guru
POS to you maybe. I love the panoramic sunroof in the truck. I use it much more often than I thought I would.
Not to mention that heat load on a truck has nothing to do with AC performance. A high performing AC system will take longer to cool off a hotter cab but total heat load to cool and AC efficiency (performance) should not be confused.
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