Climate Control Problem

[lowtidesurfer]

Need some advice. My 2003 Toyota 4Runner's climate controller no longer works. The control labels still light up so it seems the light bulbs are still good. But when you turn the AC or Heater on, nothing happens. Even if I just use the vent to fan air in, nothing happens. So I took it to the Toyota Dealership and they ran some diagnostics. From their diagnosis, they said I will need a new controller. And their estimate for a new controller is about $1500. They suggested for me to look around if there are any used ones I can find and replaced the broken one. So the questions I have are:
1. Is there a possibility that the broken controller can be fixed? If so, any ideas of where should I look into on the controller?
2. Otherwise, any suggestion where I can purchase used climate controllers that is compatible with my car? And is $1500 the going rate for this?

Any help is much appreciate. Thanks in advance.

 

[acid2499]

Hey bud, I just had the same problem. You can see my previous post from yesterday. My mechanic said my panel was dead and simply needed to be replaced. You can check on Ebay or at some online parts stores for a used one. Right now Ebay has a new OEM SR5 panel for $825. There are ways to avoid shelling out $1500 to a Toyota dealer for that problem.

Really sucks huh.

 

[zerowkul98]

It also might be the resistor. Last winter (in a cold-as-hell-week, naturally) this same thing you described happenned to me in my 03. Dealer tech found the resistor that is in the fan housing was toast. Got it replaced. Works well.

 

[lowtidesurfer]

Zero, Thanks. I'll check the resistors and the rest of the circuits this weekend then.

Acid, just saw your thread. If all fails, I'll check on eBay for a used or new one.