Screwed up while changing my cabin air filter

[Andru1d]

So I'd been experiencing a clicking/shuffling noise periodically while the A/C was running. The noise was coming from the glovebox area of the dash and after some research, I came across a post about leaves in cabin air filter or even rattling inside the blower fan. I ordered a got a new filter and removed the old one and the blower for cleaning (no leaves as far as I could tell). In my exuberance, I decided to make sure no leaves were stuck in the opening above the cabin air filter.

Just above the filter is a large plastic gate of sorts that (I think) controls whether air is taken in from outside (when the gate is open) or recirculated (when closed). The gate was closed, and I opened it to stick my hand in. It didn't resist much and everything seemed fine. As I stuck my hand in farther though I forced it all the way open and it stuck like that. I pushed it back into the closed position, but it just drops back open. I tried turning on the power and using the recirculate button to open and close it, no dice.

I've put everything back together and driven the car for about a month. Everything seems ok, but should I be worried? Any advice on fixing this?

 

[chitown40]

Without looking at the FSM, I'm only speculating here...

The door should be on some kind of linkage that the HVAC controls tell to open and close. Did you perhaps pop the linkage off the door/flap? Take a good look with a mirror and a strong light.

 

[Dylan]

The gate was closed, and I opened it to stick my hand in.

:scared:

Did you perhaps pop the linkage off the door/flap? Take a good look with a mirror and a strong light.

I did my filter a couple months ago and noticed the same gate/flap. I dont know if there is a spring or not that loads it.

 

[Andru1d]

:scared:

Not the smartest move, in retrospect...

 

[Andru1d]

Without looking at the FSM, I'm only speculating here...

The door should be on some kind of linkage that the HVAC controls tell to open and close. Did you perhaps pop the linkage off the door/flap? Take a good look with a mirror and a strong light.

I will take it apart this weekend and see if I can tell or get some pics. Thanks.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You probably broke the Air Recirculation Actuator or the peg on the Air Recirculation Door, I would first take the actuator off and see if it is overly loose and/or obviously broken.

You really can't test it properly because to get to it you need to remove the ECM and there's an internal position sensor that you may have damaged so just jumping the terminals may prove inconclusive.

Here's a thread I made on how to remove the actuator:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/156776-replacing-re-circulation-actuator.html

If it ends up you damaged the Air Recirculation Door and/or have to further inspect the HVAC Assembly, you'll need to remove it from the dash (the entire dash will obviously have to come out along with disconnecting the A/C and Coolant lines to properly service the assembly.)

 

[Andru1d]

I was able to get a few pictures of the problem. I'm hoping that only the door is damaged.

Looking up, this is as far as the door will close.


Close ups of the spindle that drives the door. You can tell the the right side is damaged.



The motor does still work. If the door is in the closed (recirculate) position and I push the open, it opens full on it's own. It just doesn't work going in the other direction. Thoughts?

 

[Andru1d]

Does anyone know if I can replace the door from below without removing the entire dash?

 

[jwoo689]

I think i did the same thing. I ended up gluing the door in the recirculate position. Does anyone know if there will be any adverse affects of doing this??

 

[Dylan]

I think i did the same thing. I ended up gluing the door in the recirculate position. Does anyone know if there will be any adverse affects of doing this??

Just think twice before you ever dutch oven yourself in your runner... ainkiller:

 

[Andru1d]

Just an update in case anyone else has this problem. My blend door has been in the half-open position in the photos (as far as I know) since last fall. So far I haven't noticed any adverse effects. I don't know whether it's the worth the money and effort for me right now to try and fix it.