Dave_02RX300 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I have the opposite problem as this one: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...755&hl=heat When I turn on the fan to ANY temperature, I get maximum heating, even with the A/C setting on. This happened suddenly yesterday. I know the A/C works (or used to work) because I had major service on it about 6 months ago. Also, when I turn on the A/C and get a blast of blow-dryer hot air, I can feel the compressor kick in. When I start the car cold, and turn on the A/C - I get even colder air, so I know the A/C is working. But once the engine heats up, I think the heater max 100% issue overtakes my A/C and then all I get is fire-hot air. Is there a thermostat or something that regulates the cabin heater? Because I think it's stuck in maximum temperature ON. Any and all fan settings send out max. heat. I read in the linked post above there is a cable or something under the hood? What's that? Thanks -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 I forgot to mention: 1993 ES300, with about 100k miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyShaft Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 There is a little valve that adjusts the flow of hot coolant from the cooling system to the heat-exchanger in the car (the one that is running you out with hellish heat) I would have to guess that this valve is in the "stuck open" position allowing maximum hot coolant to enter into the car. One of the recent threads about "Heat not working" had a post with a photo of what that valve looks like under the hood. If that valve sticks in the closed position, it does the opposite of what you are experiencing. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I forgot to mention: 1993 ES300, with about 100k miles. Likely the heater valve is jammed. Yes check to see if the cable moves when you dial in different temp settings. If not, then it's either the valve or cable that's your prob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Does the valve look like this? (have hopefully attached a photo I found of a new valve) I don't have a camera with me right now - but I can see a (really dirty) version of this kind of valve, under the hood, on the driver's side, near the firewall, and there is a cable attached to it. Is this the heater valve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George_Jetson Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Place the controller into diag mode and see if there are any codes. With the key off, Press and hold the AUTO Button while also pressing and holding the recirc/fresh button. Turn the key to the ON position ( not the start position ) The indicators light should flash four times, (at 1 sec intervals ). After the lights have flashed, any codes should be displayed. IE the lights will flash at one sec intervals for the first number, there will then be a short pause, and it will then flash the second number. It could be the heater valve, one of the temp sensors, or blend door problems. But checking for codes is easy and should take only a couple min. Note you might have to read the codes a couple times, I know it took me a couple times before I got use to counting the flashs. PS to exit the diag mode, press the OFF button. If you have any codes, let us know, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyShaft Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I think this diagram may help... Heater piping stuff Does the valve look like this? (have hopefully attached a photo I found of a new valve) Could possibly be it. Sounds like you are on the right track. Follow the smallish rubber hoses that go through the firewall and one will have a fitting like you are talking about with a cable that controls the valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Thanks I tried to wiggle that valve/cable assembly. Then I started the car, and ran the system in Auto mode, and went Max cold to max hot, and back and forth a few times, and my friend could see the valve/cable moving under the hood. I think I just now unstuck the thing! I drove for about 20 minutes, and selected various temperatures, and it seems to work fine now. I think my poking around down there unstuck it or something?! I will run the diagnostics as explained 2 posts above, and see if there are any codes. But I think somehow the valve was stuck in the HOT position. Intermittent stuff like this seems to be typical of my particular car. Thanks -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 ThanksI tried to wiggle that valve/cable assembly. Then I started the car, and ran the system in Auto mode, and went Max cold to max hot, and back and forth a few times, and my friend could see the valve/cable moving under the hood. I think I just now unstuck the thing! I drove for about 20 minutes, and selected various temperatures, and it seems to work fine now. I think my poking around down there unstuck it or something?! I will run the diagnostics as explained 2 posts above, and see if there are any codes. But I think somehow the valve was stuck in the HOT position. Intermittent stuff like this seems to be typical of my particular car. Thanks -Dave Now that you've found the prob, I would do a flush to clean out the heater core and the valve and also lube the cable to make sure it doesn't happen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyShaft Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I drove for about 20 minutes, and selected various temperatures, and it seems to work fine now. I think my poking around down there unstuck it or something?! I bet so! Great news! :) I think that with 100k you will see some of that. I wonder if you can use a spray lubricant like white lithium in that cable assembly to make sure it isn't hanging up in there? Just thinking out loud here... I am sure one of the more knowledgable guys on this type of thing will weigh in with some suggestions on what maintenance you can do now that you have located the root cause. Edit: dang...these knowledgable guys are quick. They got in before I could finish typing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Great idea - lube the moving parts down there. Thanks again - I'll report the diagnostic codes, if there are any, sometime tomorrow -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 Wow - the diagnostic mode really works, just like you said it would The codes were: 21 then 41, flashing. -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George_Jetson Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Code 21 is for a open or short in the solar sensor circuit. Code 41 is for the air mix dampner position sensor does not change value even if the ecm operates the air mix servo motor. Do you have a manual? It appears that you have a couple different issues. Of course if there has been any dash work, IE new stereo or such, make sure the connectors are fully seated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Wow - the diagnostic mode really works, just like you said it would The codes were: 21 then 41, flashing. -Dave So, those codes indicate: 21 (3) .............................. Solar Sensor Circuit 41 ....................... Air Mix Door Servomotor Circuit The solar sensor controls cabin temps according to what the sensor is reading. In my LS it's on the dash at the bottom of the windshield pass side. Not sure where it is on yours. Btw you didn't mention the year of your RX. You might want to update your profile to include it. Helps sort out the advice posters will give you. If this sensor is failing you will lose some control of your cabin temps. The AMDSC controls the blending flaps as G_J mentioned in his post. This servo controls the direction and amount of air flow. Could be that there's some strain on the circuit from trying to move stiff flaps or resistors are failing. If you begin to experience probs again I would have these checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hey George, how did you sneak in there? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_02RX300 Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks for the diags info I mentioned this car is 1993 ES300 in my first/second post. My user name refers to my RX300 2002 because that was my first (used CPO) Lexus. This ES300 I inherited from my Dad when he passed away last year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks for the diags infoI mentioned this car is 1993 ES300 in my first/second post. My user name refers to my RX300 2002 because that was my first (used CPO) Lexus. This ES300 I inherited from my Dad when he passed away last year... Sorry to hear about your dad. Yeah, I read the first post. Sorry about that, I just forgot which car we were talking about. :chairshot: You know confusion starts to set in on Fridays, been a long week. I'm ready for some sleep. Anyway Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George_Jetson Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hey George, how did you sneak in there? :D Hi, I've looked at my heater controller before, and thought the diag info might help here. Alldata has some good info on this, but it appears that these controllers are more sophisticated than I would have quessed. BTW according to alldata, the temp sensor should measure app 1.6 to 1.8 Kohms at 77 deg F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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