Does the heat on an '03 Avalon with ATC just suck?
I'm heading into my first cold stretch with a 2003 Avalon I've had for less than a year. It seems like the ATC system is not delivering hot enough air, and not delivering it to the floor, i.e., where my feet are.
I can coax warm air out of it by pushing the temp all the way to "Warm". Why 85 doesn't work when the inside temp is around 65 and the outside around 50, I don't understand either. But there doesn't seem to be much air being discharged underneath the dash, and that which is seems to be close to knee level, leaving cold feet.
Anyone else have this experience? Is it just a poor design/location of the "floor" heat outlets?
The car has to warm up considerably before the heater will heat the interior. That said, my 2003 doesn't blow that hard either, but it does the job once I get going.
The car has to warm up considerably before the heater will heat the interior. That said, my 2003 doesn't blow that hard either, but it does the job once I get going.
Thanks for reading & responding.
Let me clarify: I'm not talking about the speed, but how it behaves ones it's at full operating temp. Also, I don't want to be dismissive, but do you see zero to -10 F temps in California? That's my concern looking toward January.
What kind of sarcastic question/remark is that? Now I'm sorry for even responding!
It's not at all sarcastic.
My concern is with heating capacity in sub zero temperatures. You gave the reassurance that it "does the job once I get going". My question was how much of a test is California weather? If you're near Chula Vista, not much.
I'm sorry if my being realistic hurt your feelings. I started off my response by thanking you for your time (sincerely). If that's not enough---grow up.
I've seen a huge difference in several cars when the coolant has been changed. The first/second gen Avalons do tend to have a weaker heater, ATC or not, then even my '94 Corolla had. However, it may be worth changing the coolant...you'll see a difference.
I used to drive my Mother's '95 Avalon and on bad winter days where it was down around 0, it took forever for the heat to kick in, and then it wasn't all too hot after then. The second gen cars likely have the same heater setup.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
Grow up??? You grow up! Sarcasm and whining given to anyone sincerely replying to your message is uncalled for... no matter what frustration you're having. Sure we don't have your kind of weather in California, but do you actually think I replied thinking about the weather? You were asking about "heating capabilities" and I replied my experience with it... that's all! Sheesh... talk about children!
....do you actually think I replied thinking about the weather? You were asking about "heating capabilities" and I replied my experience with it...
Sorry, I apparently gave you too much credit for thinking ability. My OP talked about upcoming cold weather. And in the real world, heating capacity isn't really an issue in warmer climates such as there are in at least some parts of California. Weather has a great effect on a car's ability to deliver adequate heat. If you don't think enough about things to get to that recognition, well...you said it, not me.
Like, my wife wouldn't dismiss a writer's concern about the reduced headroom with a moonroof because at 5'2" tall, she realizes that she's not representative of most of the adult population, particularly those most in need of headroom capacity.
I must recognize your finely honed ability to take offense, though.
Yes, I do take offense. If you hadn't posed such a stupid question about 0 to -10 degrees in California, I would have at least tried to figure out more about what might be going on with your car. The fact of the matter is, I took the time to go to my car to test how much air blew out under the dash before initially replying to your post. Had I known you were going to be such an arse about things and post such ridiculous crud, I wouldn't have bothered! So, mister righteous, who just has no appreciation for the help you get from people who go out of their way, I really do hope you freeze your butt off, you certainly deserve it! (you just gotta love these emoticons! LOL!)
I know this is dragging up an old post-- but did you ever get a resolution on this?
I have a Solara with same issue. I've replacedthe two interior sensors, the under hood sensor(fornt of radiator), the ECT Coolant Temp Sensor, the LCD control Panel, and the Servo for the Blend Door.
NONE of this has resulted in stable heat. In AM- heat works normally for a half hour, then something is telling blend door servo to close, which results in cooler temps.
In afternoon(sunny spring or fall days)- something has heated up in car and blend door will not begin to move until LCD temp is at 82. What this also means- is that on hot days- I will have FULL AC with no mixing until LCD reads 83 or 84, with MAX heat at HOT.
My Avalon is OK in the winter (if you want to call what we have in Atlanta "winter" - as a New Englander originally I have trouble with that!) However, in hotter weather my AC will freeze my butt to the seat. It is very difficult after more than an hour to keep the temp in the comfort range. I wonder if there is an issue with the "inside the cabin" temp sensor - does anyone know where it is and how it determine inside temp??
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2002 Avalon XLS; Black with grey interior; no mods; 2nd owner; 165K+ miles.
If anything like the Camry or Solara- the in-cabin temp sensor will be above your right knee on drivers side of console. There might be some small line cutouts in the panel and it would be behind that.
If anything like the Camry or Solara- the in-cabin temp sensor will be above your right knee on drivers side of console. There might be some small line cutouts in the panel and it would be behind that.
Chris
Thanks, Chris - I'll take a look this weekend.
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2002 Avalon XLS; Black with grey interior; no mods; 2nd owner; 165K+ miles.
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Now I'm sorry for even responding!
(you just gotta love these emoticons! LOL!)
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