Lexus/Toyota AC Problems Delayed fan Resets Every Start Stinky Smells HVAC Damper Door Cabin Filter
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2023
- Been chasing an odd issue with the air conditioning the last few days. It had me stumped until today. I should have kept it simple with the old saying K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid). I was looking for all sorts of other issues when I should have just started with the basics.
This right here is exactly why I try to do all the simple maintenances myself. Can't trust anyone, not even the Lexus/Toyota dealerships.
Symptoms:
* When starting the LX570, the AC would take 1-2 minutes to start blowing air, or sometimes it would not come on at all.
* Even when the AC would come on after a couple of minutes, it would not keep the same settings from the previous drive. It would sort of reset back to some sort of default.
* No matter if I set the AC to recirculate for inside air, or to the fresh air setting for outside air, I occasionally smelled exhaust fumes from cars in front of us.
* Fogged glass if you are trying to defrost in the humid or cold temps
It was driving me a little crazy, particularly with the Texas heat this summer. Sitting in the car for a full minute or more waiting for air to start blowing is not fun in this 100+ degree weather.
So pulled the cover to the filter and found the issue. Some dummy at the dealership messed up the recirculation door when they were changing the cabin air filter. That makes sense why I kept smelling exhaust fumes from cars in front of us. But what I did not know is that the delayed AC startup, or no AC coming on at all sometimes was due to the recirculation flap not working. Apparently it goes into some sort of self-test cycle on every startup, and when it does not sense the recirculation flap in the position it is expecting the AC control computer freaks out and doesn't know what to do.
Next steps? Pulled the glove box. Inspected the mechanisms, the arms, the hinges, etc... Luckily when dumb dumb at the dealership forced it open he/she did not break anything. Only the actuator arm/lever slipped off of the recirc flap hinge thingy.
I was able to get it all fixed, tested, and put back together in less than an hour. If I wasn't filming the whole process for you guys It would have been maybe 25 minutes.
If you have stinky exhaust smells in the cabin that never seem to stop. OR if you have an AC that seems to come on after a long delay, never comes on at all until you push a button, or if it loses its settings at every startup, this next video will be helpful for you.
Below are the links to the products used in this video.
I provide affiliate links to help you find the products I use and as a way of supporting the channel. If you purchase a product or service with the links I provide, there is no additional charge to you. I always recommend shopping around for a better price. Thank you for supporting the channel through affiliate links.
Charcoal and baking soda activated cabin filter:
amzn.to/3O6r0NN
Ratcheting wrench set:
amzn.to/3D1gpgG
No scratch trim tool set:
amzn.to/3D5GviI - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Charcoal and baking soda activated cabin filter:
amzn.to/3O6r0NN
Ratcheting wrench set:
amzn.to/3D1gpgG
No scratch trim tool set:
amzn.to/3D5GviI
Nice video and an Excellent Step by Step video. Recording without assistance was challenge, but you did the great job! 🍺👍
Thank you!
Great video! I have a problem where ac blows down only to my leg and not much at the face vents..
I wonder if its one of the damper doors. Did you try resetting it with the procedure in the video to see if it helps?
What a great result to just have to manipulate the arm back on, better go buy a lottery ticket, I am amazed you were able to do that, one hand filming and one working. I have done this exact fix with two hands and had many more cuss words. You have the double whammy black exterior and dark interior, and I have the beige/ivory with my black exterior which may afford me a couple of degrees cooler than yours, Still, I have found this summer that I have to put one of those shades in the windshield if I leave it out for any length of time. This summer has been different, seems more intense. Congrats on the minimal effort fix may they all be that easy. Thanks also for the cabin filter recommendation, I have about four of the white ones in my inventory and will be rotating those charcoal/baking soda into the lineup.
I tell ya what, it was a struggle. Even being in the shade in the garage it had to be 110 degrees in the garage. I was really happy when I didn’t see anything broken. I was slowly feeling around waiting to find a broken piece of plastic. Got very lucky with this one. Check out the other video I posted about pulling the diagnostic codes for the HVAC and then clearing the codes. I never knew that was possible without techstream. In the past I always used techstream to do it. But I figured a quick google search wouldn’t hurt, and what do you know, Toyota built in a tool-less method for pulling hvac codes and clearing them. Made it super easy. I totally agree with you. This summer the sun just feels like it’s burning my skin when I’m outside. And I’m no stranger to being in the yard or water. It’s getting brutal!
Good job!!!
Thank you!!
Awesome vid!! My 2021 Lc HE a/c has a slight 5-10 second delay. Will check my flap!
Yup. Always worth a check. Also, check my other video from yesterday on how to check the AC diagnostic codes, super easy and will tell you which error codes it has
Amazing. Having this problem with my limited 4runner and could not find anyone with any recommendations on any forums. I changed out the air filter and did not see any recirculation door, so I'm curious if mine is stuck open. Will have to check it out asap!
Definitely worth a check. Once you get the lid off just switch between recirculate and fresh air to see if the flap opens and closes.