5th Gen LTD climate control cluster issue

[Toffees]

A few days ago I noticed that sometimes my climate cluster is completely nonresponsive. The auto button is lit, but none of the switches or dials respond to input. At some point after starting and engaging in D (usually 30s or so, but I can't find a specific pattern) I get responsiveness and all the buttons and dials appear to work properly* but the temp is always set to 75 and no zones are selected**. So here are the questions I have:

1. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
2. Is there any troubleshooting or other issues that could cause this?
3. Am I simply looking for a control panel replacement or do I need to take out a 2nd mortgage and visit the dealer?

*It's possible that it's not really hitting the right temperatures, but we are in early spring and I'm hoping this is a different issue, if it's an issue at all.

**see reddit post here/will excerpt some of what they wrote:
https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/1noosrj/5th_gen_climate_control_screen_issues/

2017 limited I’m having the strangest issues with the climate control screen during startup. When it sits overnight, I start up the 4runner the climate control screen is completely blank. After a few minutes it lights up with only face vent light being on with nothing else. When I press the fan increase button it always reverts to 75 degrees, recirc, and blows to the face. After a short trip the same day (going inside a gas station), I turn on the 4runner every thing is normal and works like it is suppose to. When I let it sit overnight the whole process starts over again. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you

I get the same experience as this person, except I get this at every restart, not just overnight.

 

[Humble Leader]

I wonder if you have a servo motor failure in on of your servos. what looks to be happening is your system starts up and is looking for the 'all systems go' response from the vehicle. if one of the servo motors is stuck it will not receive a response. then it defaults eventually to the settings youre describing, giving up on the broken part and restarting the system.

try this DIY

- YouTube

Code 00: Everything is normal.
Code 21 or 24: Solar sensor (normal if you're in the shade or a garage).
Code 41 / 46: Air Mix Servo (Passenger / Driver side). This is likely the culprit for the "75-degree reset."
Code 43: Air Outlet (Mode) Servo.

 

[Toffees]

I wonder if you have a servo motor failure in on of your servos. what looks to be happening is your system starts up and is looking for the 'all systems go' response from the vehicle. if one of the servo motors is stuck it will not receive a response. then it defaults eventually to the settings youre describing, giving up on the broken part and restarting the system.

try this DIY

- YouTube

Code 00: Everything is normal.
Code 21 or 24: Solar sensor (normal if you're in the shade or a garage).
Code 41 / 46: Air Mix Servo (Passenger / Driver side). This is likely the culprit for the "75-degree reset."
Code 43: Air Outlet (Mode) Servo.

Thanks, that worked. A few notes: auto and recirc and a big stretch for one hand unless you have a large hand; took at least 5s holding the buttons before the car responded and was ready to show a code. Threw code 41 for me, so now to figure out what that means and whether I can fix it or need to bring it to the shop.

 

[Humble Leader]

here's a 4th gen video but is probably similar for 5th gen. the difficulty here is the access. a dealer will charge $$$$ because they will likely remove the HVAC unit. it's a few hrs bill time I'd say but I don't know for sure. plus parts. if you have the time and the patience it's very DIYable