as in:

16245099 50171 Heater Vent Flap Control Actuator Motor Alfa-Romeo 156 622534-53 | eBay

Engine capacity: 2400. Type of fuel: Diesel. Year: 1998. Model: 156.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

I've now got a working recirculation flap actuator - from Lithuania.

On fitting it, it worked - but seemed to be working in reverse (ie, pressing the recirculation button set the flap position to draw air from outside the car).

I double-checked the part number with the non-functioning one I took off the car, and another received from a breaker that also didn't work - all exactly the same.

Then I took the lids off all three and found the answer - the Lithuanian part had the wires to the actuator motor switched where they plug into the circuit board; and sure enough, reversing the motor cables to match the other two (UK sourced) parts resulted in the actuator working correctly. You can see this in the pic below - the new part is on the right. Aside from this detail, the circuit boards seem to be identical.

I guess the reason is that the Lithuanian part came from a LHD car - where the climate control system is a mirror image of the RHD cars. Therefore the actuator is flipped 180 degrees and has to turn in the opposite direction to open/close the recirculation flap. Interesting that this solution is achieved using the same part number - rather than creating two different parts for LHD and RHD cars... anyway, another small detail fixed on the GTV!

 

Following this thread as mine is bust. Is it a dash off job to replace? Phase 1 here.

 

Remove the glovebox to get access - the actuator is above the fan on the side of the recirculating flap box. It is held in place with two hex head screws - you’ll need a 5.5mm socket to undo them. The first screw is easy to access; the second one (nearest the front of the car) is harder to access - there’s no room to fit a wrench and socket onto it. I was able to get the socket onto it and turn it with my fingers.

I’ll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

 

That would be great thanks!

 

Hi - it's difficult to get a clear shot of the recirculation flap actuator, but here is my car with the glove box removed (it's right hand drive).

The recirculation flap actuator (circled in green) is attached to the left hand end of the airbox, with a blue lever that attaches to a blue plastic arm that rotates the recirculation flap itself.

Note that the wires at the bottom of the pic run down to the engine ECU - you also need to remove it from its mount and drop the ECU into the footwell to be able to reach actuator. No need to disconnect the cables.

By the way - I have no idea what the blue wire with the black connector is - it is not connected to anything on my car. If anyone know what this is, and what it should connect to, then please let me know!

Hope that helps...

 

Thanks for that. Looks like a phase 2? If I recall correctly mine looked a bit different.

 

Yes, mine's a Phase 2.

 

I'm a bit late to this but yes a Ph 1 recirc motor and set up is totally different to to the later cars although it is tucked up above the glovebox.

You don't need to take the dash out to get to it (I've done it with dash in and out) but it does make it easier, on balance though if it isn't out I wouldn't bother. You'll need a decent small pozidriv screwdriver, the best one I found was the sort you get for taking computers apart.

Depending how early your car is you may need to dig out some of the gap filling squirty soundproofing Alfa fitted, that'll give you just enough room to straighten the screwdriver up to remove the 3 screws. My 2 cars were less than 300 build numbers apart but quite different, the earlier car was really easy as it was before Alfa put the soundproofing in.

The recirc motor actuating shaft fits to the flap by a thin arm attached at the flap end with one of the plastic clips like the door pulls, the supply plug is the usual Alfa type.

It's not a difficult job but does need a bit of patience.

 

Thanks.. at one point when I was doing up little interior bits I had attempted to repair the flap unit but I couldn't reach for the screws.

Perhaps when I'm bored stiff and got plenty of time on my minds I'll give it another go.


Mine's a 97 model so at least the soundproofing will muffle my cursing 😂

 

Forgive my ignorance - is the flap actuator and hence the heater blower on the passenger side in right hand drive cars? That puts it between the glovebox and the centre console, yes? On my left hand drive car the actuator is jammed between the glovebox and the passenger side A-pillar and I think the dash has to come out to remove it.

 

No you don't need to take the dash out to do the job, there is "just" enough room especially if yours is an early 96 car without all of the extra soundproofing. I've done the job twice (please see my post above) on Ph 1 Spiders. My Father in Law has got a Ph 1 LHD 916 Spider as well and I concur with Jeremy above in that the systems are just mirrored LHD vs RHD.

It is pretty hidden away and you'll have to do some contortion to get to it but it's definitely there.

 

Yes, that's correct - the recirculation flap actuator is on the outer side of the recirculation flap/air intake box - so yes, near the bottom of the A-pillar.

The airbox and blower motor are both behind the glovebox.

The same applies for LHD or RHD cars - the systems are mirror images, flipped left to right.

On my car (a '98 phase 2) I didn't need to remove the dash to remove the actuator.