Almost a hundred views and no responses 😭. Is this a common issue? I know the Toyota Camry has a similar engine. Does anyone know if theres a solution for this problem on Camrys. I know there not that many Venza out there so there’s not that many YouTube videos to help out. Any feedback would still be greatly appreciated.

 

The 30 second delay suggests the computer is waiting for a component that is not working. Often an HVAC actuator servo motor that is stuck or broken.

The Car Care Nut has a video in which he talked about this exact symptom, but I can't find it because it was a side note segment in a video on another repair topic.

You might want to change temperature and air direction controls while inspecting each servo motor to identify if one is not moving.

 

Thank you for responding. I really do appreciate it. I started to think this problem was impossible to solve. I inspected the drive side one a while ago. I changed temperatures and fan speeds and it seems to run smoothly. I didn't see it getting stuck anywhere. I decided to check the passenger side motor and I didn't notice anything getting stuck either. They both only move after the Auto sign goes away though. Neither side moves before. I think that's cause the computer can't recognize an airflow movement until I hit the fan button but as soon as I do it works. This is the OEM part number: 87106-07120. That's for the driver-side motor I replaced. Do you think it's for the passenger side by chance still? I know you mentioned the HVAC actuator servo motor but I'm not sure if you meant if that was the air mix motor or the temperature servo motor. I was looking around online and was told that the Venza has motors that control the air conditioning in the dash. Im not sure if that's true or not. I don't really want to take apart the dashboard or anything. I feel like I'm overlooking this or something but I'm not sure entirely what I'm missing. I wanted to add something while I was diagnosing my car. Im attaching a photo of the passenger-side assembly for the temp servo motor. When I disconnected both of the blue cables the AC was still on Auto and still turned on after 30 seconds. Is there a way to tell if a motor is bad or needs to be replaced? I don't really know what steps I should take to solve this issue.

 

As far as I can tell, there are four servos: air inlet control servo motor, air outlet control servo motor, air mix control servo motor (driver), air mix control servo motor (passenger).

Disassembling the dash to access the HVAC box is a major undertaking, so it's best to diagnose by other means.

Have you done a scan for DTCs?

It seems there may also be a built-in diagnostic procedure though I haven't tried it myself: Toyota Venza: Diagnosis System - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual

The service manual's HVAC section might provide some direction: Toyota Venza: Heating / Air Conditioning - Service Manual

 

I have had one code a while ago. That’s why I replaced the drive side servo motor. I read a different Toyota forum a while ago that recommended me to change it and also the YouTube video above that I linked. But after replacing it. I don’t have any codes in the system. I may have to try the two links you sent about diagnosing this. I’ve never tried this step before it’s something new to me. I had question just at curiosity. I noticed you mentioned 4 motors. I know where the air mix driver and passenger side motor is where are the other two located do you by chance have a diagram for those two servo motors? I may report back tomorrow to see if the trouble shooting steps helped or not. Appreciate all the help

 

The description section of the video you linked also has lots of information and links to diagrams.

The diagram above should give an idea of where the servos are in the vehicle. Just compare it to the pics you posted.

The air inlet servo may not be possible to see directly, but with the cabin air filter removed you should see the inlet door/damper (visible in your pic) move when you switch between recirculate and fresh air modes.

The air outlet servo is just to the left of the cabin air filter slot. You can see the white linkages going to it even if the servo itself is obscured by the blower motor and cabin air filter housing. The passenger air mix servo and it's linkages are plainly in sight.

Keep in mind the servos needs electrical connections, so you can follow the electrical wires to the connectors to locate and identify the motors that way as well.

 

I'm extremely lost at this point. What exactly am I looking for? I took apart the passenger side glove box and everything to see the passenger side servo motor again. Are you suggesting replacing the passenger side servo motor, the linkages, or the dampers? I tried to check again after the Auto sign went away I don't hear any clicking or any gears getting stuck. It turns smoothly after the Auto sign goes away.

 

Hey sorry, it took me a while to get back to you. I tried to do the self-diagnostic. The DTC is supposed to be zero showing there are no problems. But when I went to do a self-diagnostic my code was 42. I tried looking around on this link the one you posted before Toyota Venza: Diagnosis System - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual (tovenza.com) . Do you have any idea what code 42 might mean or have a link to show what the problem is? I tried looking into it myself but I couldn't select anything the Auto sign wasn't there but the buttons were just grayed out. I tried to check the "Recirculation/Fresh" according to the manual since it would help me check the damper and the servo motor and when I hit the recirculation button but it just wouldn't work. I tried doing this a few times but I just couldn't hit the switch it grayed out.

 

Update: I found this online: Toyota Venza: Air Inlet Damper Control Servo Motor Circuit (B1442/42) - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual (tovenza.com)

To be honest with you. I don't understand what this is saying. I think it's telling me to replace the wiring harness. I already replaced the drive-side servo motor. Could it possibly be the wiring? Im just making a guess I could be wrong. I just don't know it's asking for.

 

Toyota Venza: Air Inlet Damper Control Servo Motor Circuit (B1442/42) - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual (tovenza.com)

Good find. The first trouble item listed for DTC 42 is the air inlet control servo motor.

Do you see the air inlet damper/door moving when you switch between recirculate and fresh modes? The door (white, rippled) can be seen in your earlier image through the cabin air filter slot and above it.

I tried to check the "Recirculation/Fresh" according to the manual since it would help me check the damper and the servo motor and when I hit the recirculation button but it just wouldn't work.

Did you start the engine first before trying the sensor check, as per step 5 of the instructions?

 

I took everything out again and checked earlier. They seem to be moving when I hit recirculate. I did start the engine and let it warm up. And then tried to see if the button would work but it was still grayed out. I'm starting to think it could be a few things. One is the wiring but I don't think it is because everything has power. Two I need to reprogram the servo motor with a fancy scan tool which I don't have, unfortunately. Three the AC amplifier which to be honest with you if it is the amplifier. I'll just wait 30 seconds. It's not something majorly I'm concerned about now but I thought I would just fix it now since it's starting to get annoying.

 

Kinda wanted to give an update on where I am at right now. I asked around and nobody really knows how to solve this, unfortunately. I don't want to give up fully yet. I heard there is something called Techstream. It basically allows you to read codes and gives more information on the car's computer. I don't have the fancy scan tools many technicians do. But I was wondering does this Techstream product allow me to reprogram the servo motors? Some people call it servo motor initialization. Another question I wanted to ask is. I've seen many people have the same problem as me with the HVAC system. I was wondering if is there any TSB for this. I saw there was one for Lexus and some Toyota models but I didn't see one for a Venza. Here is the TSB number I found online on Google L-SB-0001-21. My last question was is there a way to check the AC amplifier to tell if it's good or bad without having to remove the whole dash? If it is the amplifier I give up.

 

Nobody can solve a problem without knowing what the issue is. Still no clear confirmation that the damper door is moving. The door being stuck or the inlet servo being bad are the most likely sources of the issue.

It's not clear why you'd want to reprogram servos. Techstream is Toyota's proprietary and professional diagnostic and programming software. It is expensive and not really accessible for most DIYers. There are also pirated versions, discussions of which are not allowed on this site.

There are diagnostic measurements and procedures for the AC amplifier, but that is putting the cart before the horse. Toyota Venza: BUS IC Communication Malfunction (B1497/97) - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual

Does changing the recirculate/fresh mode actually change the source of the air? If the only problem is the 30 second delay, or even if it's stuck on fresh air mode, it might be simplest just to live with that. Unfortunately, dealing with either the air inlet servo, harness, or AC amplifier probably won't be easy or cheap.

 

You do have a good point if I don’t know what the problem is I can’t solve it. I was starting to wonder. Does Air inlet servo motor mean driver side or passenger side? If it’s for the passenger side. I’m not really an expert on how to replace it I can’t find a YouTube video or any instructions on the Toyota manual page. There are like two YouTube videos out there but they don’t do a good explanation. I’m starting to think the driver side one could have been good. The reason I saw this is because the code is for the recirculation motor and I replaced the temperature servo motor. The passenger side is for recirculation. There are no clear instructions online anywhere on how to align the part or anything and I think if I replaced the passenger side servo motor. I could solve this issue potential speaking. Do you have any videos on how to replace the passenger side servo motor. Might as well give it a shot since Ive gotten this far. Currently on Amazon the part number is 604-962 is that helps. I’m not sure what the OEM part number could be.

 

Take a look again at the hvac diagram. There are four servos total. One on driver's side, three on passenger's side.

There is only one air inlet servo and that is the code you have. It moves the door for opening or closing the opening to outside air. This door should be observed to confirm whether moves.

The other three servos are: one for the air outlet, and two for the temperature mix. At this point I see no reason to mess with them.

 

By chance do you have the part number for the inlet air servo motor? I noticed that this one is on top of the recirculation motor. I can see the white damper move smoothly but I haven't replaced anything on the passenger side near the glovebox on the top left. I've only taken everything out to check if the damper got stuck or not. I only replaced the driver-side one which I guess I didn't need to replace. And also do you by chance have the manual for how to replace it?

 

For part numbers, everything can be found at parts.toyota.com and verified to fit your vehicle with the VIN. But I see no point in replacing parts until an issue is identified.

To be clear did you see the air inlet damper/door moving/rotating on its pivot? Does it fully open and fully close, so that you get fresh air or recirculated air?

 

For part numbers, everything can be found at and verified to fit your vehicle with the VIN. But I see no point in replacing parts until an issue is identified.

To be clear did you see the air inlet damper/door moving/rotating on its pivot? Does it fully open and fully close, so that you get fresh air or recirculated air?

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So wondering if anyone can shed some light on what is going on with a 2012 venza. I am getting the ac delay when starting the car and when the ac is turned on even to max cold, the armrest vent is blowing hot air to the back while the driver side is cold (driver side floor to the back is also cold). The front passenger vents seems to be blowing only slightly room temperature air (not sure about the passenger floor). I ran the diagnostic test three times and there were no error codes. Haven’t had a chance to check if any of the three passenger motors are not moving.
In the past, I did notice that the ac needed to be set much lower in order for the armrest vents to have cold air while the front was much colder, but now the armrest only blows hot air.

 

I was looking towards the servo mix and the servo outlet. I was looking at the wrong thing initially. I haven’t taken a look at the inlet servo. I have to take it apart again and check but I’ll report back to see if there is anything getting stuck. But when I hit the switch for recirculation and fresh air. I don’t hear and clicking noise of any damper getting stuck. It’s kind of hard to see but I can see the gear rotating properly. I may take out the whole assembly to double check this time. Maybe I can get a better angle to see if maybe something is wrong. Do you have any instruction manuals on how to remove everything or like a video to reach the inlet servo motor. I’m going to try and take a video so I can have a better understanding.

 

Do you have any instruction manuals on how to remove everything or like a video to reach the inlet servo motor.

That is a major job, not really DIY: Toyota Venza: Removal - Air Conditioning Unit - Service Manual

Right now, I think the best that can be done is to verify that the inlet damper moves, isn't stuck, doesn't have debris blocking it, etc.

 

I’ll try to avoid the idea of removing everything. I can see the damper moving but I just wanted to make sure nothing else inside is causing the servo motor to get stuck. I’ll try and see if I can get a video of the servo motor moving with a camera.

 

Do you have any tips on how to tell if it’s bad maybe I’m not understanding this properly. Is it suppose to make a grinding noise or something? I still have to take it apart and check but I was curious to know if there something I should see to determine if it’s bad. I checked around by taking the glovebox off and removing the cabin filter etc. I didn’t take everything off yet to get a good look. But I don’t see anything that could be causing it to lock up or stop the damper from moving.

 

Just check that the inlet door works. I don't know what else to tell you.

Beyond that, I doubt there's much else to do. As I said several times already, taking it apart is prohibitive.

 

I’ll avoid removing anything as much as I can. I’ll check tomorrow too see if the door works or not. Just to make sure I am checking for the door correct not the actually servo?

 

I'll try and update you this week sometime when I get the chance too. I've been slightly busy. I asked an auto part store if that damper door is sold individually. He told me I may have to go to a junkyard or to a dealer for a door damper is that true? I know dealer parts are extremely expensive so I wanted to avoid that route as much as possible and not many Venza are near me for parts. Would Camry parts work? I also wanted to ask If I did end up having to replace the damper door. Do you know if I would have to remove everything like the professional did for the Lexus ES and do you by chance know if that part is sold separately? I tried looking it up for any Lexus and I found that part but I don't know if Toyota does for the Venza. Link : 87020-30020 Genuine Lexus Damper Assy, Heater Air (lexuspartsnow.com) I'm starting to think I would have to buy a whole assembly for it.

 

I'm back. Here are a few things I did. And I did take your advice on what I needed to do. Sorry, it took a while to get back to you I was busy. The first thing I did was a servo motor initialization. Unfortunately, that didn't work. Next, I tried to clean the connectors to the AC amplifier and reconnecting everything still didn't work. After taking a look at the amplifier I took a look at the damper door you were telling me about and how it's probably stuck. I took out my cabin filter and checked there nothing getting stuck. But when I hit recirculation to fresh the damper door does not move. So I believe that is the problem at this point. I don't know if it's supposed to stay in the same position or not. I tried to take photos. Maybe it will help you understand the situation a bit better.

 

when I hit recirculation to fresh the damper door does not move.

Well there you go. Damper not moving and DTC 42 confirm your problem.

If the door is not jammed, and the linkages are not broken, probably the air inlet servo is bad. That is the most probably cause of DTC 42, so that's what should be looked into first. Wiring harness and AC amplifier are lower probability causes.

Unfortunately, it may be very difficult or impossible to change the air inlet servo without a very involved and expensive disassembly.

The practical option might just be to keep the air inlet damper at the fresh air position and live with the 30 second HVAC control delay.

 

Ah gotcha. I might as well just live with the 30 second delay I guess. Thanks for all the help though. I really do appreciate it.

 

This is what a moving damper looks like:



You might still want to investigate the area around the air inlet servo and its linkages, and search online in case a solution presents itself. Just keep in mind that it may be more hassle than its worth.