So I had an issue with the AC in my 2000 LX470 recently. It started popping the little 20A fuse in the fuse block on the regular and pretty instantly whenever the AC or Defrost were turned on.
Checked the compressor clutch as first suggestion from Josh. It was in tolerance. Then took it to an independent shop where the mechanic spent more than a day trying to chase it down to no avail, but I got the refrigerant refilled, so something. Then took to dealership for their special toys. (Techstream didnt provide any insight.) The draler chased it for many hours and came back with a diagnosis if a bad climate control panel for $2300.
Sad thing is, I wasn't surprised. I had a hunch that was the source if the problem. AND I had a spare control panel from an LC100. After a quick inspection of the harnesses, I installed the LC panel in my LX. The connectors are the same and wire colors, tho not exact were in the same families. With a little apprehension a twist of the ignition and viola I have working AC!
For those who are interested in doing a nav delete, toyota sells the non nav LX control panel for 1700.
I suspected the panel because the buttons had become unreliable, especially the mode button. Not sure if bad buttons are the cause or just a coincidence. I ordered a refurb kit from eBay and should be able to verify for $80 and a little soldering time.
If the buttons are a coincidence and my climate control ecu (what they called it) is hosed, then I'll go thru the process of swapping the wood venir and run the dials from the LC. I bought the spare as an impulse to do that anyway.
Checked the compressor clutch as first suggestion from Josh. It was in tolerance. Then took it to an independent shop where the mechanic spent more than a day trying to chase it down to no avail, but I got the refrigerant refilled, so something. Then took to dealership for their special toys. (Techstream didnt provide any insight.) The draler chased it for many hours and came back with a diagnosis if a bad climate control panel for $2300.
Sad thing is, I wasn't surprised. I had a hunch that was the source if the problem. AND I had a spare control panel from an LC100. After a quick inspection of the harnesses, I installed the LC panel in my LX. The connectors are the same and wire colors, tho not exact were in the same families. With a little apprehension a twist of the ignition and viola I have working AC!
For those who are interested in doing a nav delete, toyota sells the non nav LX control panel for 1700.
I suspected the panel because the buttons had become unreliable, especially the mode button. Not sure if bad buttons are the cause or just a coincidence. I ordered a refurb kit from eBay and should be able to verify for $80 and a little soldering time.
If the buttons are a coincidence and my climate control ecu (what they called it) is hosed, then I'll go thru the process of swapping the wood venir and run the dials from the LC. I bought the spare as an impulse to do that anyway.
