Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 733

The mode door actuator is interchangeable with the actuators for the blend-air door and the recirculation-air 
door. Each actuator is contained within a black molded plastic housing with an integral wire connector 
receptacle (2) and integral mounting tabs (3) that allow the actuator to be secured to the HVAC housing. The 
mode door actuator output shaft (4) is connected to the linkage that drives the mode-air door. The mode door 
actuator does not require mechanical indexing to the mode-air doors, as it is electronically calibrated by the 
A/C-heater control. 

OPERATION 

ACTUATOR-MODE DOOR 

The mode door actuator is connected to the A/C-heater control through the vehicle electrical system by a 
dedicated two-wire lead and connector of the HVAC wire harness. The mode door actuator can move the floor, 
defrost/demist and the panel-air doors in two directions. When the A/C-heater control pulls the voltage on one 
side of the motor connection high and the other connection low, the mode-air doors will move in one direction. 
When the A/C-heater control reverses the polarity of the voltage to the motor, the mode-air doors moves in the 
opposite direction. When the A/C-heater control makes the voltage to both connections high or both 
connections low, the mode-air doors stop and will not move. 

The A/C-heater control uses a pulse-count positioning system to monitor the operation and relative position of 
the mode door actuator and the mode-air doors. The A/C-heater control learns the mode-air doors stop position 
during the actuator calibration procedure and will store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for any problems it 
detects in the mode door actuator circuits (refer to HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - ELECTRICAL 
DIAGNOSTICS for more information). 

The mode door actuator cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if found inoperative or damaged. 

REMOVAL 

ACTUATOR-MODE DOOR 

WARNING:

Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering 
column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect 
and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for 
the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further 
diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag 
system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental 
airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 14: Identifying Screws, Mode Door Actuator, Wire Harness Connector, Actuator Mounting Bracket 
& Air Distribution Housing 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.  

2. If equipped, remove the silencer from below the driver side of the instrument panel. Refer to 

REMOVAL .  

3. Disconnect the wire harness connector (3) from the mode door actuator (2) located on the driver side of 

the air distribution housing (5).  

4. Remove the two screws (1) that secure the mode door actuator to the actuator mounting bracket (4) and 

remove the actuator.  

INSTALLATION 

ACTUATOR-MODE DOOR 

NOTE:

LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 15: Identifying Screws, Mode Door Actuator, Wire Harness Connector, Actuator Mounting Bracket 
& Air Distribution Housing 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Position the mode door actuator (2) to the actuator mounting bracket (4) located on the driver side of the 

air distribution housing (5). Make sure the actuator output shaft is properly aligned to the door linkage. If 
necessary, rotate the actuator slightly to align the splines on the output shaft with those in the mode door 
linkage  

2. Install the two screws (1) that secure the mode door actuator to the actuator mounting bracket. Tighten the 

screws to 1.2 N.m (10 in lbs.).  

3. Connect the wire harness connector (3) to the mode door actuator.  

4. If equipped, install the silencer below the driver side of the instrument panel. Refer to 

INSTALLATION .  

5. Reconnect the negative battery cable.  

6. Initiate the Actuator Calibration function using a scan tool. See *HVAC SYSTEM TEST .  

ACTUATOR-RECIRCULATION DOOR 

DESCRIPTION 

ACTUATOR-RECIRCULATION DOOR 

Fig. 16: Identifying Blend Door Actuator, Integral Wire Connector Receptacle, Integral Mounting Tabs 
& Output Shaft 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The heating-A/C system uses a reversible, 12-volt direct current (DC) servo motor which mechanically 
positions the recirculation-air door. The recirculation door actuator (1) is located on the side of the HVAC air 
inlet housing. 

NOTE:

LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

The recirculation door actuator is interchangeable with the actuators for the blend-air door and the mode-air 
door. Each actuator is contained within a black molded plastic housing with an integral wire connector 
receptacle (2) and integral mounting tabs (3) that allow the actuator to be secured to the HVAC housing. The 
recirculation door actuator output shaft (4) is directly connected to the pivot shaft lever of the recirculation-air 
door. The recirculation door actuator does not require mechanical indexing to the recirculation-air door, as it is 
electronically calibrated by the A/C-heater control. 

OPERATION 

ACTUATOR-RECIRCULATION DOOR 

The recirculation door actuator is connected to the A/C-heater control through the vehicle electrical system by a 
dedicated two-wire lead and connector of the HVAC wire harness. The recirculation door actuator can move the 
recirculation-air door in two directions. When the A/C-heater control pulls the voltage on one side of the motor 
connection high and the other connection low, the recirculation-air door will move in one direction. When the 
A/C-heater control reverses the polarity of the voltage to the motor, the recirculation-air door moves in the 
opposite direction. When the A/C-heater control makes the voltage to both connections high or both 
connections low, the recirculation-air door stops and will not move. 

The A/C-heater control uses a pulse-count positioning system to monitor the operation and relative position of 
the recirculation door actuator and the recirculation-air door. The A/C-heater control learns the recirculation-air 
door stop positions during the actuator calibration procedure and will store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for 
any problems it detects in the recirculation door actuator circuits (refer to HEATING & AIR 
CONDITIONING - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS for more information). 

The recirculation door actuator cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if found inoperative or 
damaged. 

REMOVAL 

ACTUATOR-RECIRCULATION DOOR 

WARNING:

Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering 
column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect 
and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for 
the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further 
diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag 
system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental 
airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro