RTH: climate control dead after unplugging and re-plugging

[Heckraiser]

Hi folks, so I took my dash apart this week to wire up some aftermarket gauges. In order to get the large center section piece out for access and to drill some holes, I unplugged everything, including the climate control. After putting everything back together, the climate control wont come on. The buttons light up when you push them, but nothing happens, fan does not run, etc.

Another twist in the plot: on the back of the climate control unit there are two large plugs, a white one and a blue one. After re-installing, and now attempting to un-install again to hunt for problems, the white plug will not come unplugged now matter how much I pry. That focker is stuck.

I really hope someone has been through this before and can give some pointers. I'm about to set fire to the clunker and start from scratch.

1996 LX450

 

[Heckraiser]

Just to clarify, the fan speed buttons light up and the zone selector buttons light up , but the A/C, AUTO and recirculate buttons (the three across the middle) do not light up when you push them.

 

[canman]

Something is obviously wrong if you cannot get the harness plug out. Can't remember, but is it possible you got them mixed up. I know they look similar IIRC. Just had my center dash apart probably for the third time in as many weeks futzing around with my HU and I know they are a little tricky to get out. Is it possible you left another connector somewhere unplugged? I did that when I took my dash all apart a few years back.

 

[Heckraiser]

Well I just managed to get it unplugged by gouging out both sides with screwdrivers. I don't think it's possible to get them switched around because they are color coded.

Now that it's out, all of the pins appear to be straight and nothing seems amiss visually. I'm contemplating cutting off the part of the connector that "snaps" into place. I'm seriously concerned if I plug this thing in, it's never coming out again.

I did cut the wires that go to my "security" switch blank (purple and brown). Any chance those might be affecting the climate control?

I also wired my gauges from the cigarette lighter. If something is screwed up down there, could that affect the HVAC controls?

 

[canman]

Reading the EWD It mentions that current flows through the gauge fuse to terminal 3 of the heater (blower) relay. Check your gauge fuse (10A) to make sure it is good. FWIW, a buddy nearly burned his truck to the ground by adding a 3-way cigarette adapter to the OE outlet. Not sure how many amps it is designed for, but you might want to check that whatever you are powering doesn't exceed the power limitations of the OE wire.

 

[Heckraiser]

All the fuses seem to be OK. I put everything back to stock (unhooked gauges) and the climate control is still dead. :/ No AC is just not an option, so if I don't come up with any other ideas, I'm probably going to throw some money at Jesse at Affordable Toyota Lexus Repair

Any other theories?

 

[Heckraiser]

Monday bump before I give up and take it to the shop

 

[mod5csi]

Im in Parker. I have an extra LX450 (AUTO AC) HVAC control unit if you want to try it. Maybe you damaged yours josstling it about?

My first thought is it wasnt plugged in all the way, or you unplugged something else accidentally. Did you get the interior temp sensor plugged back in?

Which plug were you having the hard time with? White or Blue?

 

[Heckraiser]

H10 is the one that was giving me a hard time (the white one). The temp sensor is the one that fits into the little black plastic thingy behind the HVAC unit behind the little grille, correct? If so, it is plugged in. There should only be one connector for the temp sensor, correct? The little black thing it fits into kind of looks like it should have something else plugged in, but I don't see any more loose stuff behind it.

I might take you up on that spare, though parker is a bit of a haul. Thanks for offering!

 

[mod5csi]

H10 is the one that was giving me a hard time (the white one). The temp sensor is the one that fits into the little black plastic thingy behind the HVAC unit behind the little grille, correct? If so, it is plugged in. There should only be one connector for the temp sensor, correct? The little black thing it fits into kind of looks like it should have something else plugged in, but I don't see any more loose stuff behind it.

I might take you up on that spare, though parker is a bit of a haul. Thanks for offering!

I just pulled another LX spare out of the junkyard today. So I have two spares now. I can go back and get the plugs if you need. If you want to re-pin the one you had to hack up.

PM me if you're interested. I'm willing to meet as far north as Northfield Shopping Center, Monday-Friday.

 

[Heckraiser]

Thanks again for your generous offer!

Just to bring this back full circle, my HVAC is fixed. The culprit was a faulty cigarette lighter circuit due to my hackjob gauge wiring. I looked at the EWD and didn't see the cigarette lighter being involved in any way with the climate control, but then, it is a little like reading Egyptian.

Repaired a few wires and replaced the CIG fuse and now it's back to normal. A word to the wise, don't let this guy <--- fawk with electrical stuff.

 

[Kernal]

Glad to hear you got fixed.