'99 maxima GLE. Automatic temperature control. I've pulled the access panel on pass side of console to verify that the air mix door doesn't move when I cycle the temperature from 65* to 85*. The A/C seems to blow cold enough so I assume it's stuck on the cold side. All the modes work and so do the fan speeds, just no heat! Just want to make sure it really is the air mix door actuator before I spend $200 on a replacement and go through all the trouble (it's a PITA) of R&Ring it! Any thoughts?

 

Sounds like you pinpointed it to the air mix door/ blend door. Did mine last year. Indeed a pain. Electricians mini 1/4 ratchet with a Phillips bit will help as the space is quite limited. I think I also ended up removing the ECM to get a little more space.

I got Nissan oem door from Amazon last year for $80 it’s like $180 now.

It was about an hour of going back and forth from driver side to pass side laying upside down and cramping hands but it will get done and it’s worth it. It would be hard to rig something manual up as it’s hard to reach.

My mode door- drivers side (yours works) went several months later but that was easier to reach and turn by hand as needed until I was able to swap that. That one was much easier.

 

Yeah, I already did the mode door actuator recently. I'm pretty sure it's the air mix door actuator but I just want to eliminate the control panel. Is there any way to test if there is a signal from the hot/cold temperature buttons to the actuator?

 

Stick your head down there and either raise/ lower the climate control temp with your left hand if you can or have someone else do it while you watch the plastic arm atop the actuator. It rotates and allows more/ less air over the heater core to adjust temp. If it doesn’t move that should indicate it is the problem.

I am not aware of a multimeter test or anything to verify. When you get the new actuator connect it to the harness and run the same test before you install it verify.

It is a known failure at this point in its life. I am not sure I’ve ever heard of anyone’s panel dying.

 

Download the FSM for free here on Maxima.org and go to page HA-70 and follow the instructions to the letter, and the unit through a series of intentional button pushing will self diagnose the problem and report back with a code telling you what part you will DEFINITELY need.

 

You can see position of the actuator arm from passenger side for min and max temperature set point. It should change. If not than a problem is actuator, or actuator door. In case if it is moved than check a heat exchanger ( no coolant circulation - check temp of hoses )