Front Fans and Defrost Not Working

[ForrestGrump]

I'm not sure what happened. I jump in the LC today and go to turn on the defrost since the windshield is fogging up and nothing. I try adjusting speed up to high. Still nothing. I try all different positions, up, feet, defrost and feet...nothing still. As I'm driving then I smell an electrical smell almost like burning. I replaced the horns and many of the interior lights to led but nothing on the dash. I can't imagine either would affect the blower. Thoughts?!

 

[gaijin]

Blown fuse? Electrical short?

 

[LBridges]

Fans work in the rear? Maybe dumb idea as I haven't seen the inside of the 200 series system, but something getting stuck in the squirrel cage preventing it from spinning and the resultant motor overheating causing the smell?

 

[ForrestGrump]

Checked several fuses, both in the main engine compartment and under the drivers side dash.

I guess something could have gotten stuck in theory but it seems like I would have heard a clunk or something before it stopped working.

Yep, rear climate controls are still working.

 

[gaijin]

Checked several fuses, both in the main engine compartment and under the drivers side dash.

Did you check the fuses under the passenger side dash as well? And by check, I mean pull the fuse and check for continuity - not just a visual.

HTH

 

[ForrestGrump]

I haven't checked for continuity on any yet. I need to bust out my meter yet. The passenger side doesn't seem to have any that make sense to check. I've been using Toyota Land Cruiser: Checking and replacing fuses - Do-it-yourself maintenance - Maintenance and care as a guide to determine which to check. I'm going to go go back through each A/C fuse and check for continuity.

 

[ForrestGrump]

Tested continuity on any fuse that mentioned fan or A/C. All are fine. Pulled all the ones under the passenger and drivers sides also. Any other thoughts?

 

[TonyP]

Try pulling the cabin filter and seeing if the fan spins freely?

I don't suppose you have a Techstream cable? If so you can perform an active test on the HVAC.

 

[ForrestGrump]

I don't have one of those yet. I should probably get one. I'll try the cabin filter pull now

 

[ForrestGrump]

Yep, fan spins freely by hand

 

[M1911]

When I got my new-to-me 2013 LC, the front defroster wasn't working. It was still under warranty (and I have the Toyota platinum extended warranty as well). The dealer replaced an electrical amplifier (IIRC), which didn't solve the problem. Then they replaced the head unit, which did solve the problem. I'm glad that was under warranty, as I'm sure the head unit is $$$$$.

 

[ForrestGrump]

Do you recall if it was just the defrosters or was it also the high and low (foot) fans also?

 

[M1911]

Do you recall if it was just the defrosters or was it also the high and low (foot) fans also?

For me it was just the front defroster, not the fans.

 

[ForrestGrump]

A bit of an update...i've been doing quite a bit of research and was able to rule out fuses. Tested as many as made sense and they all checked out with a continuity test. The issue seemed to be with the blower motor or the blower motor resistor. Found this link to TLCuiser be helpful. It shows the two potential culprits. My plan was to pull both, check resistance on the resistor, and check that the fan powers on with a jump. I pull the cover and don't see the resistor but a whole controller board of sorts that was mounted to the bottom of the blower. After pulling the board off, it was clear that it was at least part of if not all of the issue. The smell and the marks on the board indicate that it's fried. Now the hard part, I can't tell what part it is that I need. The blower motor assembly doesn't show the control board on it. And, I can't seem to find a part called a control board or a blower motor resistor for an 08 LC. Has anyone ever replaced this part or would anyone be able to look up the part(s)?

 

[TonyP]

Wild. I'd suggest testing leads with a multimeter to determine the fried culprit. You can probably order a replacement to solder in or get a computer repair shop to fix it.

 

[KLF]

That looks to me like it got water on it.

 

[ForrestGrump]

I thought water too. Maybe it could be condensation and then a short? But, the big question I have now is, does the blower fan have this controller on it or is it a separate part? I've found a blower motor resistor listed on sites but none of the pictures look like it. Likewise none of the blower motors show it either. Any parts experts?

 

[indycole]

You may need to visit a dealer to get the part number if no one on here knows.

While I don't see any blown traces on the board, I wouldn't advise reusing it or trying to salvage it. I'd imagine more than one component is ruined and some of the reworking would require equipment suited for surface mount components (per Tony's suggestion to take it to a shop).

The condition of the board is certainly concerning... was it located in a spot where water could have gotten on it while the truck is on?

 

[ForrestGrump]

Thanks guys for the input. Ya, I took one look at the board and knew there was no trying to salvage it. The part was underneath the blower motor on the passenger side behind the glovebox. My guess is the water markings we're seeing on it are just condensation from snow falling off of boots etc. More than likely just a bit too much formed on the hot surface at the bottom of the power supply/heat sink area and shorted it out. Since internet searches have shown up nothing, I was planning on visiting the deal to check and see if this is a seperate part or part of the blower motor sub assembly.