That is what happened with my old 2011, a new fan fixed it. As @Markuson said, I paid $300 for my dealer to do it, but the advisor told me he vastly underquoted me after the job. I use the box all the time, the mIn reason I won't get a Heritage.
Cool Box; I used to be all “meh” now I am all “WooHoo!” (1 Viewer)
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That is what happened with my old 2011, a new fan fixed it. As @Markuson said, I paid $300 for my dealer to do it, but the advisor told me he vastly underquoted me after the job. I use the box all the time, the mIn reason I won't get a Heritage.
I also love the cool box. When I first bought my 200 I thought it was kind of pointless. Then I did a couple road trips from Boston to WY, CO and back. Now I think it is awesome.
I discovered last night that a bottle of wine fits just fine in there. +1 to coolerbox
It sounds like dealerships have smartened up on this. They quoted you $300 and then dove into the rat's nest that Markuson dealt with and shared. I'm guessing they pretty quickly up'd the price.
Sounds like I'll just have to use the box as a small storage area or retrofit it somehow.
anyone know what the white tray at the bottom of the cool box is?
My LC200 didn't come with one but I recall seeing them on others
My LC200 didn't come with one but I recall seeing them on others
Alright, I’ve now earned my ‘Coolbox Fan Swap’ Badge and here is my synopsis. Like many others, I apologize for tackling this job and not doing a proper write up with pictures.
1. Read this thread a few times for encouragement, it’s the best place to start.
2. Go ahead and get a 2A fuse (I’ll explain later.)
3. Order the fan and also the Neiko screwdriver set to get the illusive screw that’s upside down and impossible to reach. I think we need to name this screw. Illusive Screw?
4. I would slot yourself 3-6 hours to tackle this job. I think it took me about 5 hours start to finish. If I did the job again I could likely be done In 1.5. Is it a pain in the ass? Kind-of. You spend most of your time trying to decipher the next step. That is the main issue. If there was a proper video or write up on how to do the job, it would be much faster.
5. Watch a video on how to remove the center console on an LX570 or Land Cruiser. The good news is, that will get you started. The bad news, most of them are for swapping head units. So they will start going up the dash instead of down to the console box.
6. This is random but just something to note. When you open the console and are looking at the cool box, there is a rubber type gasket that runs around the box on the top. There are two screws hidden in that gasket on the side closest to the front of the car. They are about 2” in on either side. Simply just pull the gasket back and you’ll get access. This took me 30 minutes to figure out.
7. The Illusive Screw. Now when you get to this screw it’s under the two condenser lines towards the bottom of the cool box. You’ve got to really get all that protective foam out of the way to find it. I recommend rolling the driver seat all the way forward, lean it all the way forward, and make it go as high towards the ceiling as possible. Bend your nemco screwdriver just like the other user did in the previous posting. Now here is my added advices. Climb in the rear passenger side door. Lay on your back with your head towards the drivers side. Slide your left shoulder into the floorboard and you’ll have the perfect angle to attack this screw. It wasn’t only challenging to get the driver on it, but to also see it. Once I got upside down and was able to see under it; I was good to go. I feel like I’ve maybe earned a badge or gotten bonus points, because I put the screw back in. Yes, I actually got it back in and tightened it up. And yes, I dropped it 3 times and had to fish it out with a magnet all 3 times.
B. Here are where things get interesting and I have some potentially great news for you. I spent the better part of 3.5 hours pulling this entire assembly apart. Got my new fan installed and simply had to try it before putting everything back together. So I get everything plugged back up, fire up the truck, press the power button, and I’m sure you all see where this is going. Yep, fan did not kick on. At this point I cut the plug off my old fan, strip the casting off the wire, and press the wires on my battery terminal. Fan spins like an absolute champ. Now I know I have an issue other than the actual fan motor.
Here is where step 2 comes into play. On the drivers side bottom left corner of the cool box, there is a large amplifier that helps power the fan/cool box. Attached to that amplifier is a 2A fuse. I just so happened to stumble across this after about 3 minutes of trying to diagnose what my problem was. Popped the fuse out and sure enough it was blown. Went and grabbed a .99 cent fuse and bada bing, fan fired right up.
Im fairly certain you can reach this fuse by just pulling the 2nd row seating AC controller panel out. Pull it straight to you and it pops right off.
If not, you’ll have to get that drivers side plastic panel off that runs down the side of the drivers seat to the floor.
God speed to anyone tackling this job and don’t be the guy that spends countless hours and money to fix a problem that could’ve costed 99 cents and 10 minutes.
RIP My Sunday. Now excuse me while I go grab a cold beer out of my cool box.
1. Read this thread a few times for encouragement, it’s the best place to start.
2. Go ahead and get a 2A fuse (I’ll explain later.)
3. Order the fan and also the Neiko screwdriver set to get the illusive screw that’s upside down and impossible to reach. I think we need to name this screw. Illusive Screw?
4. I would slot yourself 3-6 hours to tackle this job. I think it took me about 5 hours start to finish. If I did the job again I could likely be done In 1.5. Is it a pain in the ass? Kind-of. You spend most of your time trying to decipher the next step. That is the main issue. If there was a proper video or write up on how to do the job, it would be much faster.
5. Watch a video on how to remove the center console on an LX570 or Land Cruiser. The good news is, that will get you started. The bad news, most of them are for swapping head units. So they will start going up the dash instead of down to the console box.
6. This is random but just something to note. When you open the console and are looking at the cool box, there is a rubber type gasket that runs around the box on the top. There are two screws hidden in that gasket on the side closest to the front of the car. They are about 2” in on either side. Simply just pull the gasket back and you’ll get access. This took me 30 minutes to figure out.
7. The Illusive Screw. Now when you get to this screw it’s under the two condenser lines towards the bottom of the cool box. You’ve got to really get all that protective foam out of the way to find it. I recommend rolling the driver seat all the way forward, lean it all the way forward, and make it go as high towards the ceiling as possible. Bend your nemco screwdriver just like the other user did in the previous posting. Now here is my added advices. Climb in the rear passenger side door. Lay on your back with your head towards the drivers side. Slide your left shoulder into the floorboard and you’ll have the perfect angle to attack this screw. It wasn’t only challenging to get the driver on it, but to also see it. Once I got upside down and was able to see under it; I was good to go. I feel like I’ve maybe earned a badge or gotten bonus points, because I put the screw back in. Yes, I actually got it back in and tightened it up. And yes, I dropped it 3 times and had to fish it out with a magnet all 3 times.
B. Here are where things get interesting and I have some potentially great news for you. I spent the better part of 3.5 hours pulling this entire assembly apart. Got my new fan installed and simply had to try it before putting everything back together. So I get everything plugged back up, fire up the truck, press the power button, and I’m sure you all see where this is going. Yep, fan did not kick on. At this point I cut the plug off my old fan, strip the casting off the wire, and press the wires on my battery terminal. Fan spins like an absolute champ. Now I know I have an issue other than the actual fan motor.
Here is where step 2 comes into play. On the drivers side bottom left corner of the cool box, there is a large amplifier that helps power the fan/cool box. Attached to that amplifier is a 2A fuse. I just so happened to stumble across this after about 3 minutes of trying to diagnose what my problem was. Popped the fuse out and sure enough it was blown. Went and grabbed a .99 cent fuse and bada bing, fan fired right up.
Im fairly certain you can reach this fuse by just pulling the 2nd row seating AC controller panel out. Pull it straight to you and it pops right off.
If not, you’ll have to get that drivers side plastic panel off that runs down the side of the drivers seat to the floor.
God speed to anyone tackling this job and don’t be the guy that spends countless hours and money to fix a problem that could’ve costed 99 cents and 10 minutes.
RIP My Sunday. Now excuse me while I go grab a cold beer out of my cool box.
That screwdriver saved my life. I ordered before tackling the job and it worked like a charm. Great call. I also got the box apart without removing any condinser lines, great call!You can get to it without disconnecting the ACbutIts a huuuge PITA.
To top off the frustrating disassembly...after you tear everything out...there this ONE final screw that points directly upward....and is nearly impossible to get to. I mean like...not even a tiny ratchet with a phillips bit can fit in there. I finally ordered a special, very weird “screwdriver” that is flat, and that has only the tiniest, shortest phillips on it...then I bent it 90 degrees. Only then could I get at the screw...barely.
Here that “screwdriver;
View attachment 2462707
When I finally put it all back together, I think I decided to leave that screw out...as it seemed utterly pointless except to induce pain and frustration.
I found out the hard way that I could have avoided the AC mess.... but here’s a taste of the fun you’ll have digging down to the fan...
View attachment 2462711View attachment 2462714
Don’t do this:View attachment 2462717
View attachment 2462729
My advice would be to see what various Toyota dealers quote you for the job. Another mud member got his done for around $300...which is a bargain for all the time and hassle getting to it.
Thankfully the fan was all mine needed... but man what a pain.
CharlieS
GOLD Star
Impressive job. Nice find on that hidden fuse! Am I reading it right that the original fan worked fine? If you had replaced that fuse first, do you think that would that have fixed it? I’m definitely filing this away for future use.
Yep the original fan worked fine. I literally could’ve popped out the 2nd row seat AC panel, popped in a new fuse, and went on about my day.
It seems like I’m the first person that’s gone to swap a fan that wasn’t broken. But it’s so easy to start at that fuse, everyone should.
Mine never stopped completely. The fan just ran really slow and stopped cooling. Good thought to check the fuse if it stops completely...
How well insulated is the cool box? When my son and I go fishing in the 100, I'll throw in a cooler with drinks and snacks for after fishing. Will the cool box keep things cold for a couple hours while the car sits in the sun, or should I keep bringing the cooler?
We do mostly day trips (live in the mountains), but it sounds like I need the cooler anyway. Thanks.
SQRRRL
SILVER Star
Just did a 3000 mile road trip. All my red Bull were nice and chilly……..and a couple beers. Had my rig a while and dig the cooler.
Anyone place a thermometer in their cool box to see how cold it actually gets? Also would it hurt if I placed a few scoops of ice in there along with drinks to keep it even colder. Is there a drain hole for the water when the ice melts?
I had a can of soda freeze and explode in mine. I think it was more outside temps then the freezer which makes me question the insulation. I don't recommend this.
I also use a cooler when i ski in the winter, but it's so things don't freeze and explode. Or if they do, they're in a cooler.
