98 Avalon Fans, AC, and defroster not working at all - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jon456 · 07-10-2007, 01:19 PM

Yep, none work, the climate control just shutoff this morning when I was driving and won't turn back on. I am very unhappy with this car. I have an appointment on Friday with the car. The outside temp control also went off at the same time. Is this that 800 dollar repair that a lot of the Avalons have?

avalontom · 07-10-2007, 03:02 PM

Check the simple stuff first - fuses.

My '95 has 179,000 and no problems like that.

Good luck!

Tom

jon456 · 07-13-2007, 12:23 AM

Went on randomly today, I am still going to have it looked at, but atleast the blower still works. Possibly a short in the fuse?

jon456 · 07-13-2007, 11:20 AM

Toyota dealer wants to charge me $1100 for this repair. The guy said the engine for the blower is overheating and will eventually shut off forever then won't be able to get repaired. He said for now it'll go on and off randomly, but soon it'll be gone forever. What do you guys think? I mean this sounds like horse ****. And I got my drive belt replaced that was $500. This car is really milking my wallet.

***toyomoho*** · 07-13-2007, 11:34 AM

The question would be why is it overheating. Does the dealer state if not fixed the motor will burn out? An aftermarket blower fan is about $50, the issue is if you can replace it without having to remove the dash (labor $$). Look under the area of the golve box and see if can locate the blower housing.

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 07-13-2007, 12:08 PM

When you consider the car is 9-years old and the blower motor may well have been used for every mile the car has driven it's not that far-fetched that it needs replacing. Motor bearings will wear to the point they heat up. When a motor gets hot it will shut off - either through a thermal safety switch or it'll expand to the point where it won't rotate.

I haven't looked up the procedure of replacing the motor but having replaced heater cores in numerous cars I can vouch that taking a dash, and everthing beneath it, is a large undertaking. If I were in your shoes I'd be happy to pay someone else to do it. Why not take the car elsewhere and get a couple more quotes now that you know what the issue is. You might save a few bucks.

Good luck!

ShawnM · 07-13-2007, 12:16 PM

That sounds a little off to me. Try going to an independant shop. See what they say and have them get you some prices. If they are refering to the main control unit in the dash that runs about $540 list price just for the part. Either way its good to get a second opinion when your spending that much money. The blower motor itself is not that big a deal to change and is about $152 list from the dealer.