Rendezvous AC Failure: Bad Flap Actuator Alert

I had a very similar issue with my 2009 Buick Enclave last summer. As someone with some experience working on car HVAC systems, I recognized the symptoms you described. The climate control problem turned out to be a faulty cable connection to the actuator motor. My car was showing similar error codes and had inconsistent air distribution. The workshop diagnosed it using their diagnostic tools and found that the plug connection to the actuator had deteriorated over time. The repair involved replacing the wiring harness and connector to the flap actuator. Total cost was 95 Euro for parts and labor, which was less than I expected. The air circulation returned to normal immediately after the fix. However, before jumping to conclusions: Which specific error code is stored? Does the problem occur at specific temperature settings? Can you hear any clicking sounds from the actuator when changing settings? Does the rear air distribution change at all when adjusting controls? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my Enclave. The HVAC repair could be different depending on these specifics.

Latest service was at 27465 KM. I just checked my air conditioning again and discovered more symptoms that may be relevant. The temperature fluctuates when rear passengers adjust their controls, and there is now a faint clicking noise coming from behind the dashboard. The system diagnostic codes remain the same as mentioned earlier. I noticed the air flow is particularly weak on the passenger side compared to the drivers side. When testing different settings on the climate control panel, the clicking sound becomes more pronounced during temperature adjustments. The inconsistent cooling seems worse during warmer days, especially when the car has been sitting in direct sunlight.

Thanks for those additional details. After dealing with a similar issue on my Enclave, those symptoms sound very familiar, especially the clicking noise and temperature fluctuations when adjusting controls. The weak airflow on the passenger side combined with the clicking strongly suggests the flap actuator is indeed failing. In my case, the clicking got progressively worse until the flap actuator completely failed to respond to climate control inputs. The temperature fluctuation issue turned out to be related to the automatic climate control system getting confused by the faulty signals from the dying actuator. Once the wiring and actuator were replaced, the HVAC system regained proper control over air circulation and temperature regulation. Since you mentioned the problem worsening in warm conditions, I recommend getting it checked soon. A failing flap actuator can eventually get stuck in one position, leaving you without proper air distribution control. The repair should be relatively straightforward for a qualified shop with the right diagnostic tools. Based on those symptoms and my experience with the same model, I would focus on: Checking the flap actuator wiring connections, Testing the actuator motor response, Verifying the automatic climate control module is receiving correct signals The clicking noise is typically the actuator trying but failing to change positions, which matches what I experienced before getting mine fixed.

Thank you for sharing those details about your Enclave repair. The clicking noise I hear matches exactly what you described, and the temperature control issues seem very similar. Since posting my question, I ran additional system diagnostics and pulled the following error code: B0472, Rear HVAC Actuator Circuit Malfunction. The irregular air distribution and clicking sounds happen most noticeably when switching between temperature settings. Every adjustment of the automatic climate control now causes that clicking behind the dash, and the air conditioning performance continues to decline. Based on your experience, I think getting the flap actuator and wiring checked should be my next step. I will schedule a repair appointment to have them inspect the actuator connections and test the HVAC system components. The repair cost you mentioned seems reasonable, especially considering how the problem is affecting overall comfort. Hopefully addressing the actuator will resolve both the air distribution and temperature control issues. For now, I have been avoiding using the rear climate controls since they seem to trigger more erratic behavior in the system. Will update once I get the repair completed.