Recirculation Door Actuator

This procedure replaces the HVAC recirculation door actuator located behind the glove box to restore proper cabin air recirculation control.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Recirculation door actuator × 1 — Use OEM specification (Honda 79160-TBA-A01 or equivalent)

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and turn ignition off
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes
3. Set HVAC system to OFF position
4. Empty glove box contents completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove glove box
   Open the glove box fully. Locate the damper arm on the right side and disconnect it by pushing it off its mounting pin. Squeeze both sides of the glove box inward to release the stops from the dashboard frame, then pull the glove box completely out.
2. 2

   Access actuator area
   With the glove box removed, you will see the HVAC unit behind the opening. Use a flashlight to locate the recirculation door actuator on the passenger side of the HVAC unit. It is a small rectangular motor with an electrical connector and typically has a white or gray housing.
3. 3

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Press the locking tab on the actuator electrical connector and pull it straight off the actuator. You may need to release a secondary lock tab by sliding it with a flathead screwdriver before the connector will release.
4. 4

   Remove actuator mounting screws
   Remove the two Phillips head screws securing the actuator to the HVAC housing. These screws are typically located on the face of the actuator. Support the actuator while removing the second screw to prevent it from falling.
5. 5

   Remove old actuator
   Gently pull the actuator straight out from the HVAC housing. The actuator shaft engages with the recirculation door gear, so you may need to rotate it slightly while pulling to disengage. Do not force it - if it does not come out easily, verify all mounting screws are removed.
6. 6

   Inspect door mechanism
   Look into the actuator mounting hole and verify the recirculation door gear is intact and moves freely. Manually rotate the gear slightly to ensure it is not broken or binding. If the gear is damaged, the entire HVAC unit may require replacement.
7. 7

   Install new actuator
   Align the new actuator shaft with the recirculation door gear inside the HVAC housing. Gently push the actuator into position while rotating it slightly to ensure proper engagement with the gear. The actuator should seat flush against the housing.
8. 8

   Install mounting screws
   Install the two mounting screws and tighten them in a cross pattern. Do not overtighten as the housing is plastic and can crack. Tighten to hand-tight plus 1/4 turn, or use torque specification if using a low-range torque wrench.
9. 9

   Reconnect electrical connector
   Push the electrical connector firmly onto the actuator until you hear or feel it click into place. Verify the locking tab is fully engaged. Gently tug on the connector to ensure it is secure.
10. 10

    Reinstall glove box
    Position the glove box into the dashboard opening. Squeeze both sides inward and push it into place until the stops click past the frame. Reconnect the damper arm to its mounting pin on the right side.
11. 11

    Reconnect battery and initialize
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition to ON position without starting the engine. Cycle the recirculation button several times to allow the new actuator to calibrate through its full range of motion.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Verify glove box damper operates smoothly and glove box closes properly
3. Check that no tools or parts were left in the work area behind the glove box

Verification

• Start the engine and turn on the HVAC system
• Press the recirculation button and verify the indicator light illuminates
• Listen for the actuator motor operating when toggling recirculation on and off
• Test both fresh air and recirculation modes - you should feel a difference in airflow and hear the door moving
• Verify no unusual noises come from behind the dashboard during HVAC operation
• Confirm climate control settings can be changed without error messages on the display

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle