PSA for those in cold climates: Aux heater usage

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While reading on the 3rd gen Tacoma forums, someone mentioned Toyota added an electric auxiliary heater (PTC heater) near the heater core to help with heat in the cabin when the motor isn't warmed up yet. I'd had this in the past on a diesel VW (and heard about it in other diesels) but haven't heard about it in many gas powered vehicles (because they usually warm up much quicker).

Being curious, I went and looked through the parts diagram and it appears as though we all have this already installed as well. Not sure if the same conditions need to be met, but I'd imagine they are close:
-Engine running
-blower fan "on"
-Temp set to max hot
-Engine coolant 65F or lower
-Outside temp 50F or lower

If these conditions are met, an electric heating element fires up to help heat the air coming out the vents. It won't be hot, but should at least be warmer than ambient air temps until the coolant comes up to temp to take over.

I didn't see it mentioned in the owners manual or here prior, so here you are.

 

[walterego]

CONFIRMED! It's called a quick heater assembly, part number 87710-60030. Looking through TIS, I've attached what I came up with. This is is actually a neat piece of information that I never knew about.

 

[Engineer]

Has anyone confirmed we actually have this installed on 4runners? Its been a couple years but I looked into this and thought that we didn't have it, contacted Toyota about purchasing and was told not available, granted this was long ago and I can no longer find that e-mail chain. If indeed all 5th gens have this then I was wasting my time and theirs.

 

[Antman]

Has anyone confirmed we actually have this installed on 4runners? Its been a couple years but I looked into this and thought that we didn't have it, contacted Toyota about purchasing and was told not available, granted this was long ago and I can no longer find that e-mail chain. If indeed all 5th gens have this then I was wasting my time and theirs.

I seem to recall that it was on models with dual zone only- as in LE's.

I guarantee you my SR5P doesn't have it. I freeze my balls for at least 5 mins when it's cold out, lol.

 

[Engineer]

I seem to recall that it was on models with dual zone only- as in LE's.

I guarantee you my SR5P doesn't have it. I freeze my balls for at least 5 mins when it's cold out, lol.

Ah maybe thats what it was - its been in the single digits here the last few days and really has me regretting having the garage taken up with house projects (moved a few months back essentially starting over on the 1st floor.......Next winters goal 2 cars in the 2 car garage

 

[Jhalko]

I seem to recall that it was on models with dual zone only- as in LE's.

I guarantee you my SR5P doesn't have it. I freeze my balls for at least 5 mins when it's cold out, lol.

And here I always thought you were just super whiny about the truck not heating up fast enough. You might actually have an excuse. :kiss:

 

[walterego]

Has anyone confirmed we actually have this installed on 4runners?

Looking through Toyota part diagrams, repair manuals and, electrical wiring diagrams, it looks like the quick heater assembly can be equipped on both manual and automatic HVAC systems. If your looking for a definite confirmation, take a peak at the HVAC assembly and spot those connectors in the diagrams posted earlier.

EDIT: Instead of crawling on your passenger side floor, you can look under the hood in the fuse/relay box and see if there are relays labeled PTC No. 1,2,3. See attached.

 

[1jzgte]

ebay's got a ton of OEM toyota heater elements but not that exact part number

 

[walterego]

Not sure if the same conditions need to be met, but I'd imagine they are close:
-Engine running
-blower fan "on"
-Temp set to max hot
-Engine coolant 65F or lower
-Outside temp 50F or lower

According to the repair manual, the following conditions must be met:

• Engine running (1250 rpm or more)
• Temperature setting MAX HOT
• Outside temperature 10°C (50°F) or less
• Engine coolant temperature 73°C (163°F) - 79°C (174°F) or less
• Headlight dimmer switch off
• Blower switch on

 

[Jeremy556]

I seem to recall that it was on models with dual zone only- as in LE's.

I guarantee you my SR5P doesn't have it. I freeze my balls for at least 5 mins when it's cold out, lol.

My '11 TE has PTC; no dual zone

 

[TeeDub21]

Tried it today on my TRD OR that has basic HVAC controls and it seems to work. Its been cold here and I've been freezing until the engine warms up! Today I tried this and you can feel warm air coming out of the heat vent! Prior to this I'd wait for the temps to come up before I turned the heat on and it was cold!

 

[e10e10]

Tried it today on my TRD OR that has basic HVAC controls and it seems to work. Its been cold here and I've been freezing until the engine warms up! Today I tried this and you can feel warm air coming out of the heat vent! Prior to this I'd wait for the temps to come up before I turned the heat on and it was cold!

I'll try this in the morning. I have a '16 LE and it's going to be -1 F when I goto work.
I have been noticing that this vehicle does warm up fairly quickly anyway even in normal sub-freezing double digits. Usually takes about 2 minutes and I get heat that's at least warmer than outside air.



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[elborikua]

Works on my 17 ORP

 

[jordanrb81]

it's -5 degrees outside right now, think that will be cold enough to kick it in??? oh for those wondering that's the real temp the feel like is -19!!!

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Remote start, problem solved lol. You should be warming the engine up before driving it anyway, especially in very low temps. With that said, this is a cool piece of info that I will test on my 2016 later on today when I head out.

 

[Oey12]

Thanks OP for this, worked like a charm this morning at 14 degrees!

 

[gdvan01]

I seem to recall that it was on models with dual zone only- as in LE's.

I guarantee you my SR5P doesn't have it. I freeze my balls for at least 5 mins when it's cold out, lol.

Heated seats...ma' balls be warm and toasty.

Everything else is frozen.

 

[1jzgte]

I have PTC 1 and PTC 2 fuses in place but NO PTC 3. What does this mean? What exactly am i looking for if i crawl under the passenger side? My 4runner came out of California so maybe they don't equip these with PTC heaters?

Now when you say headlight dimmer off. Do you mean headlights off completely or will it work in DRL mode?

EDIT:

I'm going to say that it does indeed work. I started to feel slight heat within a minute and half coming from the vents. The temp gauge was still on the C. Can someone confirm what PTC No.3 Fuse is for? Heated seats?

 

[Engineer]

EDIT: Instead of crawling on your passenger side floor, you can look under the hood in the fuse/relay box and see if there are relays labeled PTC No. 1,2,3. See attached.

It does indeed have the PTC heater - I confirmed the fuses and gave it a try - nothing to write home about but far better then nothing. After about 2-3minutes the air goes from "frostbite" to just plain cold and then shortly after you can feel a bit of warmth but by then the coolant gauge is starting to come off the bottom peg so not sure if thats the PTC getting warmer or the coolant starting to supply heat.

Good to know we have it and thanks for the easy confirmation

 

[dylans]

My 13 TE has it, manual controls. After about a minute it was putting out warm enough air to feel comfortable and get me by until the engine warmed up. Awesome!