There are excellent photos and descriptions in the main threads on this problem. The only tricky part is you have to cut a small triangle out of the left hand side of the white door to get it past the support. You'll get a full idea of what's involved in this and the other 2 threads. And yes, the glove box does have to come out. I used the good 3M glue referenced in the other threads and consider my fix stronger than the original door.
IMPORTANT: Check your HVAC recirculate door and answer Poll (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter John E Davies
- Start date
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Thanks to all that have contributed to this post. I just got done having my blower assembly completely replaced by dealer under warranty thankfully. The tech at the dealer I bought it from (different dealer than where I live) broke the assembly mechanism. I was able to determine that based on the maintenance records. I have 2018 LC and it has a sticker on the cabin filter access panel with a warning from the factory! Obviously that was ignored so point forward I will lock the glove box before future oil changes or even better probably will just start changing my own damn oil!
A short PSA here
I had condensation in my truck taking a ~1 hour hwy trip recently. I had to run the heat on the windshield defogger setting to clear my windshield and side windows several times. I thought the service tech had broken the mechanism but when I checked I noticed he'd opened the cabin filter door to check it, but he neglected to slide the roller lid closed before putting the plastic cover back on.
So if your cabin filter doesn't seem to be working right, make sure the inner door is closed too.
I had condensation in my truck taking a ~1 hour hwy trip recently. I had to run the heat on the windshield defogger setting to clear my windshield and side windows several times. I thought the service tech had broken the mechanism but when I checked I noticed he'd opened the cabin filter door to check it, but he neglected to slide the roller lid closed before putting the plastic cover back on.
So if your cabin filter doesn't seem to be working right, make sure the inner door is closed too.
Right on! Just trying to figure out what the roller lid is.
If he was able to push the accordion door down, it’s probably broken in one direction.
Hmmm, maybe mine is in fact broken, or detached?
Fresh/recirc doesn't move that accordian door. But I can slide it up manually, and then I have to use the recirc button to be able to remove the filter (by pressing on the tabs in the front). If it's in fresh mode the filter won't come out. Maybe everyone's is actually like this but if the door is moving correctly you'd never notice?
Fresh/recirc doesn't move that accordian door. But I can slide it up manually, and then I have to use the recirc button to be able to remove the filter (by pressing on the tabs in the front). If it's in fresh mode the filter won't come out. Maybe everyone's is actually like this but if the door is moving correctly you'd never notice?
It’s broken. The fresh/recirc button is the only thing that should be used to move the accordion door.
I've cast my vote above, broken recirc door. I can move the door freely with no resistance. I can hear the actuator turning (buzzing according to the poll). Here is a video of it in "inaction".
Luckily, I've got 6k and 11 months left on my warranty. I'm going to take it into a dealership and have them just fix it proper. I don't want to damage it further by attempting to fix it with my dumb hands and dumb head.
EDIT:
I pulled out the air filter and looked again. It appeared I could just pop the hood onto the linkage. I did that, and the real reason the hood was broken was made clear. The "fitment hole" on the hood is broken. I saw broken plastic. What's crazy to me is the fact that there is a DENSO air filter in there. That means that someone at a dealership did this. I wonder if that's the reason the truck was traded in? It got foggy in the winter and they'd had enough? Who knows.
Luckily, I've got 6k and 11 months left on my warranty. I'm going to take it into a dealership and have them just fix it proper. I don't want to damage it further by attempting to fix it with my dumb hands and dumb head.
EDIT:
I pulled out the air filter and looked again. It appeared I could just pop the hood onto the linkage. I did that, and the real reason the hood was broken was made clear. The "fitment hole" on the hood is broken. I saw broken plastic. What's crazy to me is the fact that there is a DENSO air filter in there. That means that someone at a dealership did this. I wonder if that's the reason the truck was traded in? It got foggy in the winter and they'd had enough? Who knows.
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Just a heads up I had to talk to Toyota Corporate to get a case ID for the warranty repair. Ultimately the dealer was good and they took care of it but the process of approval was a pain in the ass. I was able to narrow down when the other dealer who broke the linkage changed the filter and that helped my case. Good luck!
@NTV I've got the CARFAX for the truck, and it has only had one previous owner. I'm going to call a dealership near me today and see what they require. Hopefully, I don't have to go the route of contacting Toyota directly. Without your post above, I wouldn't have known it was even possible, so thank you!
I got the truck back from the dealership two days ago. They ended up covering the HVAC door under warranty, THANK GOODNESS. It could have been a $5000 repair as they had to take out the entire dash (so I'm told). But I checked it at the dealership and it does work as expected now. They did have to unplug my NaviPlus unit so it's not working at present and I've not had the chance to get in there and plug it all back in. I'm hoping they didn't toss any cables!
I don't think the recirc repair is *that* expensive. The part is under $300. Pretty sure it requires some dismantling to get to but I cannot imagine it would be more than $1000 total, and quite likely less.
Since mine is in fact broken, I'll let you know how much effort it was to replace it whenever I get around to it. Probably when it warms up and the rain starts regularly fogging my windows up
Since mine is in fact broken, I'll let you know how much effort it was to replace it whenever I get around to it. Probably when it warms up and the rain starts regularly fogging my windows up
I grew up in central IL, so I'm very familiar with that fog.
Anytime! Lots of other folks helped me here just trying to help where I can!
My all in cost to repair at dealer here in Denver was 600 bucks.I grew up in central IL, so I'm very familiar with that fog.
my dealer said they had to open up the dash and replace the entire blower assembly (under warranty as well), so most likely they went with the bigger fix since they got paid more....
