Dual Climate Control Issues

[04RunnerLimited]

Hey folks - I am having a funny problem on my 04 Limited since I've had the headgasket replaced in August.

Now that the weather is cooler, I've used the heat for the first time. I've noticed that heat is only blowing out of the two drivers side vents while cool air is blowing out of the passenger side vents. I've of course checked to see if the "Dual" mode was selected (it was not) and haven't been able to come up with a solution.

Is it possible something got switched around while they were doing the headgasket? I know a lot of components need to come out to make room to do that job. Or are the two not related at all and this is something totally different? Dual climate control was working just fine last winter and into the spring.

Anyone had this issue before?

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

Usually when people post about different temps on driver vs passenger side, it's a symptom of low A/C refrigerant. However that's also usually people complaining that their A/C isn't working properly, not their heater. -Don't see how it would affect the heater circuit, but is your A/C on or off during this?

You said you're now using the heat for the first time - have you ever tested it before? You might have a blend door stuck for the passenger side, preventing it from blowing hot air over there. Don't know how to diagnose that though...

Edit: saw you mention it was working fine last winter/spring. I don't _think_ anything climate control related has to be removed for a headgasket job, but I'm far from an expert there. Maybe poke around the engine bay (and under the dash) and see if there's any obvious unplugged connectors...?

 

[04RunnerLimited]

Usually when people post about different temps on driver vs passenger side, it's a symptom of low A/C refrigerant. However that's also usually people complaining that their A/C isn't working properly, not their heater. -Don't see how it would affect the heater circuit, but is your A/C on or off during this?

You said you're now using the heat for the first time - have you ever tested it before? You might have a blend door stuck for the passenger side, preventing it from blowing hot air over there. Don't know how to diagnose that though...

Edit: saw you mention it was working fine last winter/spring. I don't _think_ anything climate control related has to be removed for a headgasket job, but I'm far from an expert there. Maybe poke around the engine bay (and under the dash) and see if there's any obvious unplugged connectors...?

Cool - thanks for the reply. I'll give it a look and see what I can find. I'll need to fix it soon so the GF doesn't freeze!

 

[Jixxer6]

Ever figure anything out with this one? Having the same issue and everything seems to be working properly

Edit:removed dash board and air distribution box. Blend doors inspected ok. Replaced heater core and reinstalled. Problem fixed. PITA job!

 

[JAWS1]

I'm having the same issue with my '06. No heat on passengers side. Changed thermostat, did chemical flush of heater core twice which definitely made both drivers side vents blow hotter air. But still cool air on passengers side. Is this really a blend door issue? If anyone has any ideas or solutions, please let me know. Thank you.

 

[JAWS1]

No heat on passenger side. please help!

No heat on passenger side of '06 Limited. I've since had a new radiator installed, new coolant, new thermostat, done 2 chemical flushes of heater core with hot,high pressure rinse. Prior to chemical flush, only had hot air to far left drivers side vent. Post flush, more heat on right side drivers side vent, but still cold air on passenger side vents. Both heater core lines are hot, so obviously no blockage in heater core. I've been trying to find a solution in other posts. There is mentions of servo motor issues, but most claim they have heard ticking noises under dash....I have no ticking noises. Also, mention of blend door issues, but I can't find any info on where the location is or how to access it. If anyone has had this problem and found a solution, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[chuntmd]

On the dash, near where your right knee and the ignition key goes in is a little vent looking opening. Is the sensor behind the vent connected?

 

[4by4th]

Sounds like an issue with the blend doors. I had similar issues, mine was not blowing heat to the floor, most was coming out of the dash vents which we lived with for years before taking it to the dealer to be fixed. Works great now, should have had it fixed a long time ago, but my local mechanic never could diagnose the problem nor admit there was a problem.

 

[sr3tlaw]

Make sure temperature sensor in the cabin is plugged in.