Not on this vehicle. I have climate on others. but likely the motor is not working controlling the air on one side. That what I repaired on a different make when my heat was full on for the passenger and could not be controlled. You have to find out where the blend motors are.

PS: I can think about AC since its freezing with snow now and only issues make any sense here!!

 

Thanks for the reply. The blend door actuator is easily accessible right above the gas pedal. I will remove and check it and report back at a future date.

 

a good small flashlight is a must IMO. In HEAT mode turn the heat setting UP, then DOWN and see if the motor is turning the arm. If not try to vents and then floor. It should move for either of these. If not the motor is gone or some thing jammed/broken with the door. 99% is a motor failure. You should be able to find them on EBAY or AMAZON USA if you're in the US. The Canadian site is almost useless. It will be a small cost compared to the dealer. Take a few photos before removing it !!!! Especially the motor to arm control connect so you know how it was.

 

Great tips, Thanks!!

 

Just a heads up this symptom is classic of low AC refrigerant.
May want to check that first before tearing apart dash boards and such..

 

Another reason I mention Heat testing above. Heat should be in great abundance once hot. Confirms the working of all the elevators/motor directing it around.

 

Finally got around to replacing the part and.......

The answer is ... the problem is solved by a new blend door motor!


I now get air corresponding to the setting on the drivers side and the climate control system does not wig out at engine start.


I believe the climate control gets feedback from the blend motor on the current position and at initial system check detected the stuck motor.
That explains the behavior I describe in my initial post.


Now a few tips on installing the new motor:


Got it for ~$60 on Amazon. The motor gear is keyed with a large notch. I marked it with a Red marker on both sides to make it easier to line up.
First install the 2 screws that hold it in, but loosely. This allows you to line up the plastic gears to the keyed location. Tighten screws and plug in
electrical connector. Done!



JP

 

Hey Sushiseeker,

Your post is informative. I‘ve got 2008 Highlander Sport. AC diagnostics are perfect, ice cold air from low vents except driver side. Only gets marginally cool. In your research:

• is the blend door actuator the same for each side?
• do you have part number for that

Not seeing it on Amazon, but this is what I have found:

2008 Toyota Highlander Base Sport Utility 3.5L V6 A/T FWD Servo. Sub. Actuator - 8710633260 | Toyota Parts Superstore, Lakeland FL

Servo. Sub. Actuator. 2008 Toyota Highlander Base Sport Utility 3.5L V6 A/T FWD. Genuine Toyota Part - 8710633260 (87106-33260). Ships from Toyota Parts Superstore, Lakeland FL

oemparts.stonemttoyota.com

Thanks again for your post!

MM

Finally got around to replacing the part and.......

The answer is ... the problem is solved by a new blend door motor!


I now get air corresponding to the setting on the drivers side and the climate control system does not wig out at engine start.


I believe the climate control gets feedback from the blend motor on the current position and at initial system check detected the stuck motor.
That explains the behavior I describe in my initial post.


Now a few tips on installing the new motor:


Got it for ~$60 on Amazon. The motor gear is keyed with a large notch. I marked it with a Red marker on both sides to make it easier to line up.
First install the 2 screws that hold it in, but loosely. This allows you to line up the plastic gears to the keyed location. Tighten screws and plug in
electrical connector. Done!



JP

 

This sounds exactly like what is happening with my wife's 2012 right now. I am going to buy one right now on amazon to see if I can fix it this weekend.

 

For anyone who replaced the Driver's side blend door motor was it difficult to get the gears aligned? Seems like it is going to be difficult given the tight space to work in.

I have removed the old blend door motor and waiting on the new part. In the mean time the AC on the drivers side is blowing cold air again, but I don't think its regulated.

 

FWIW, I purchased the blend door actuator from ToyotaPartsDeal.com for $140 which includes shipping & taxes. Part #87106-07120

Installation was easier than I thought. Followed sushiseeker's tip for marking the large notches on both gears red. Before installing the screws, I just held blend door actuator in place with my left hand, in the correct position with respect to screw locations, and used my left thumb to move other gear clockwise to match up to the notch on blend door actuator. Couldn't actually see the red notches line up with each other, but blend door actuator fell in to place as I moved gear clockwise with thumb, so notches must have matched up with each other. Then installed screws and attached electrical connection. On restart of vehicle there was still some quirks with HVAC start up, but on 2nd time startup HVAC system was working perfectly.