Best AC Heater Actuator Guide for Cars and Trucks

Finding the right AC heater actuator (blend door actuator) helps restore accurate cabin temperature, vent selection, and airflow in many vehicles. Below is a quick comparison of the top replacement actuators chosen for broad compatibility with Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, and select other makes.

Product	Brand	Fitment Highlights
uxcell HVAC Air Door Actuator (2pcs)	uxcell	Chevy Silverado/Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Sierra/Yukon, Cadillac Escalade
A-NAFTULY 2Pcs Blend Door Actuator	A-NAFTULY	Chevy Silverado/Sierra, Tahoe/Suburban, Escalade, Hummer H2
SFY HVAC Air Door Actuator 604-106	SFY	Silverado, Tahoe, Sierra models; general fitment reminder
AA Ignition Blend Door Actuator	AA Ignition	Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Outlook
A-Premium Temperature Blend Door Actuator 1573517	A-Premium	Corvette, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XLR

uxcell HVAC Air Door Actuator (2pcs)

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This two-piece set of blend door actuators from uxcell is marketed as a direct replacement for many GM models, covering Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer, and more from the listed years. The listing identifies multiple OE numbers including 89018365 and 52402588, which helps match original parts.

Key functions listed: controls the heat blend door, regulates vent temperature and air recirculation, and is designed to replace factory actuator failures. Fitment range is broad across GM full-size trucks and SUVs, which makes the kit useful for owners of earlier 2000s–2014 vehicles that share the same HVAC components.

A-NAFTULY 2Pcs Blend Door Actuator

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The A-NAFTULY replacement set lists the same common OE numbers (89018365, 604-106, 52402588) and highlights compatibility with a wide range of trucks and SUVs including Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. The product description notes it controls airflow, blend/temperature settings, and recirculated/fresh air selection.

The listing emphasizes that the actuator is a direct replacement for factory units and mentions ease of installation and the need to recalibrate the HVAC system after replacement. This is important for vehicles requiring actuator relearn or calibration steps post-install.

SFY HVAC Air Door Actuator 604-106

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SFY lists this actuator with reference number 604-106 and notes broad compatibility with Chevrolet and GMC full-size models such as the Silverado and Tahoe. The description highlights high quality and easy installation, but explicitly advises confirming model, displacement, and year before purchase.

This actuator is presented as a straightforward replacement for common GM HVAC issues. The listing is concise, focusing on compatibility and installation convenience, making it suitable for buyers who already know their OE number or model-year fitment.

AA Ignition Blend Door Actuator

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The AA Ignition blend door actuator targets GM crossovers and large SUVs including Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave. The product lists multiple OEM replacements such as 15-73989, 20826182, and 1573989, indicating fitment across several model years.

Functionally, it controls the flow and temperature of air into the cabin and addresses common symptoms like incorrect temperature or vents directing air to the wrong outlets. The listing notes that it is a direct replacement (non-OEM) and provides an explicit list of vehicle models it fits, which helps with compatibility verification.

A-Premium Temperature Blend Door Actuator 1573517

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This A-Premium actuator (part number 1573517) is intended for a variety of GM passenger cars including Corvette, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac XLR across stated years. The product lists its position as main, air inlet, or temperature actuator depending on vehicle.

Compatibility specifications are clearly enumerated, which assists buyers with sedans and performance cars that use a different actuator design than large trucks. The product listing focuses on vehicle-specific fitment rather than universal GM truck fitment.

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right AC Heater Actuator

Choosing the correct AC heater actuator requires matching several technical and practical factors. Below are the key considerations to compare products accurately.

1. Verify Exact Fitment And OEM Numbers

• Check the vehicle make, model, year, and HVAC layout before purchase.
• Match OE/reference numbers (for example 89018365, 604-106, 1573517) to ensure the actuator plugs and mounts correctly.
• Some actuators are vehicle-specific (cars vs. trucks) even within the same brand family.

2. Identify Actuator Function And Position

• Actuators can be for temperature (blend), mode (vent/defrost/floor), or air inlet (recirculation). Confirm which function fails.
• Listings often note position: Main, Left/Right, Air Inlet, or Temperature.

3. Connector Type And Pin Count

• Match the electrical connector and pin count (some listings specify 5-pin or other counts).
• Incorrect connector types can require splicing or render the actuator unusable.

4. Relearn/Calibration Requirements

• Many vehicles require an HVAC recalibration after installation. The product descriptions sometimes remind users to recalibrate.
• Research manufacturer service procedures or scan tool procedures to perform actuator relearn.

5. Quality, Warranty, And Brand Reputation

• Non-OEM direct replacements are common. Check seller details, return policy, and any warranty offered.
• Higher-rated sellers or brands with clear OE cross-references reduce fitment risk.

6. Installation Access And Tools

• Some actuators are accessible behind gloveboxes or under dashboards; others are more labor-intensive.
• Confirm whether you’ll need special tools or a second person for removal and installation.

7. Symptoms And Troubleshooting Before Buying

• Confirm symptoms like clicking noises behind the dash, inconsistent temperatures, or vents stuck in one position before replacing the actuator.
• Rule out related issues such as blown fuses, broken linkages, or climate control module faults.

8. Comparative Perspectives

• Compatibility Scope: Products like uxcell and A-NAFTULY list broad truck/SUV compatibilities (many OE refs) making them suitable for GM truck owners.
• Vehicle Type: A-Premium items target passenger cars and specific models, important for non-truck buyers.
• Model-Specific Listings: AA Ignition emphasizes crossover/SUV fitment (Traverse/Acadia/Enclave) where blend door designs differ from pickups.
• Quality vs. Convenience: Look for clear OE cross-reference numbers and fitment tables rather than very generic listings; this reduces return risk.

9. Final Pre-Purchase Checklist

• Confirm OE number from your vehicle or parts diagrams.
• Check the seller’s return policy and any fitment guarantee.
• Prepare for recalibration steps after installation; have a repair manual or scan tool instructions handy if needed.