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Toyota Highlander Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

165 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 6:58 PM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 13 of 17

#119 of 165 Highland AC control by gateway3

Feb 06, 2010 (2:25 pm)

My 2006 Highlander Limited AC and fan controls stopped working. I called Toyota and was told to have the problem inspected by the dealer. Did that and found the issue as described by everyone here was the problem. Toyota indicated they might cover the cost. Turns out they won't because not enough people have complained to Toyota. If they receive enough customer complaints, then they will pay the cost of replacing the AC Control Head. Call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. If enough of us let them know about this issue, then we may get it covered by Toyota.

#120 of 165 Re: Is this by design or a defect? [mikefm58] by highlander2004

Feb 08, 2010 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: mikefm58 (Feb 04, 2010 9:05 am)
I don't think so. Let me provide more detail. My car has climate control, so when I want heat, I press a button marked "Auto". There is also a knob control for selecting the desired temperature. I have this set at 80 or higher in the winter. There is also a button marked "Mode" where I can adjust which vents are being used. There is also a button marked "A/C" and a button marked "Defrost".
 
When I press the Auto button and have the temperature set at like 80 or 85, hot air flows from the lower vents. The A/C button lights up, but it is still hot air coming out. I think other people were reporting getting the wrong temperature of air coming out. That is not the problem here. I just wondered if the A/C should be running when the car is not in defrost mode.

#121 of 165 Re: Is this by design or a defect? [typesix] by highlander2004

Feb 08, 2010 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: typesix (Feb 03, 2010 3:52 pm)
Thanks!

#122 of 165 Re: Is this by design or a defect? [highlander2004] by wwest

Feb 09, 2010 (9:47 am)

Replying to: highlander2004 (Feb 03, 2010 3:04 pm)
Modern automatic climate control systems only turn off the A/C compressor under certain situations. Low refrigerant, OAT below 35F, engine coolant approaching an overheat condition, or WOT, Wide Open Throttle.
 
The thinking, horribly FLAWED thinking IMMHO, on this seems to be to use the A/C to help dehumidfy the cabin atmosphere thereby lowering the potential of windshield fogging and at the same time raising the human comfort level. Seems we are more comfortable with an Rh near 40F
 
There is a C-best option, 2 actually, that the dealer can set which will allow you to disable the A/C indefinitely by simply turning it off once. The second c-best option unlinks A/C from operating automatically, with no operator indication, in any of the defrost/defog/demist modes.
 
My '01 F/awd RX300 has had both of these set for many years now. Prior to those C-best options I always simply unplugged the wire to the A/C clutch during the winter months.

#123 of 165 Detailed Instructions for Intermittent A/C Issue by pktloss

May 03, 2010 (11:23 am)

For those experiencing the intermittent A/C cooling and heating issue that is very common with the Toyota Highlander you might want to use this source which detailed the problem and fix. Pretty simple fix (aside from the soldering) that can save you a bundle of money.
 
http://bit.ly/9zGHkU is the short URL.
 
If you don't like short URL's here is the original:
 
http://www.devalcourt.com/2010/03/fixing-2004-toyota-highlander-ac-and-heat-issu- e/
 
Hope others find this useful.

#124 of 165 Re: Detailed Instructions for Intermittent A/C Issue [pktloss] by mikefm58

May 04, 2010 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: pktloss (May 03, 2010 11:23 am)
Thx for th info. The issue with my HL is getting worse. I have the bolt tightened right down, no play in the knob, and just yesterday I had to jiggle the knob to get the A/C to blow real cold air. Is this the soldering issue?

#125 of 165 Any one can help with this issue by slowcar

Jun 02, 2010 (12:37 pm)

Passenger's side is barely cold while the driver's side is warm...don't know why? I thought both sides share the same flow volume but why one side is warm, the other barely cold???? it baffled me....

#126 of 165 Re: Any one can help with this issue [slowcar] by rohoo

Jun 02, 2010 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: slowcar (Jun 02, 2010 12:37 pm)
My Highlander had the exact same problem and I thought that it was a mixing valve or solonoid of some sort...took it to dealership, they told me that the compressor had a "hole" in it. Solution - new compressor 1,000.00.
 
Just got the Highlander back from dealership - air is cold on both sides now.

#127 of 165 Re: Any one can help with this issue [rohoo] by slowcar

Jun 03, 2010 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: rohoo (Jun 02, 2010 12:46 pm)
Darn...$1K !!! But that did not explained the problem though. I have a technician at independent shop to look at the problem and he said the hi-side pressure was on target; it wasn't like the compressor couldn't "compress" the freon any more....Did they explain exactly what the "hole" was about? Anyway, thanks for the info.

#128 of 165 Re: Any one can help with this issue [rohoo] by wwest

Jun 04, 2010 (8:15 am)

Replying to: rohoo (Jun 02, 2010 12:46 pm)
I hope that $1,000 was covered under warranty, otherwise YOU have more likely than otherwise just been HAD.

Messages Page 13 of 17

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