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Vent control knob will not turn

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by mitchman, Jan 4, 2016.

  1. Jan 4, 2016 at 8:46 AM
    #1
    mitchman

    mitchman [OP] New Member

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    2004 Tundra Limited-Vent control knob will not turn. I have replaced the temp control panel and put a new cable from the temp control panel to the duct box under the dash. I can manually move the vents position from the box under the dash that the cable is connected to but not from the knob connected to the control panel.
     
  2. Jan 4, 2016 at 9:34 AM
    #2
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    Had this problem on my 06 Tundra. Those knobs seemed so cheap, had to replace all 3 of them before I sold it. One of the 3 knobs would get stuck from time to time and I would end up breaking the inside of the knob trying to turn it. Have you tried pulling the knob straight off and using a pair of pliers to try and turn the mechanism inside to loosen it up?

    Just re-read your post and I may be talking about the wrong knob. I am referring to the 3 below your cd player that adjust temperature etc.

    Are you talking about the little control under the vents that adjust which way they are facing?
     
  3. Jan 4, 2016 at 9:52 AM
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    mitchman

    mitchman [OP] New Member

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    That is not the issue. For some reason the the mechanism on the air box is getting bound up and will only move if I get down under the dash and move it manually.
     
  4. Jan 4, 2016 at 9:55 AM
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    mitchman

    mitchman [OP] New Member

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  5. Jan 4, 2016 at 9:57 AM
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    mitchman

    mitchman [OP] New Member

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    Yes, the knob on the right side is the one that is supposed to change the vents from floor to middle to defrost.
     
  6. Feb 15, 2016 at 2:42 PM
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    Bstrom

    Bstrom New Member

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    I've got the same issue. Think it's just wear and tear on the internal heater doors that the control assembly can't overcome with force or fiddling. I'm gonna live with mine as I can get defroster and floor flows. Might look at it in the spring when it's warmer...
     
  7. Aug 29, 2016 at 11:08 AM
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    winterboy8

    winterboy8 New Member

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    I know this is an older post, but I have the same issue. Could you help me understand how you move this manually under the dash?
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2016
  8. Oct 20, 2016 at 7:08 AM
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    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    Ditto. Subbed for pending fix listed.
     
  9. Oct 20, 2016 at 7:15 AM
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    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    Have any of you guys tried pulling the knob straight towards you to take it off? There will be a square piece underneath the knob that you can manually turn with a pair of pliers to loosen it up. If you tried to turn the knob as hard as you can it will just break the interior piece on the knob, but I found that once you break it loose with some pliers it moves a lot easier. Not sure why they get stuck like that.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  10. Oct 20, 2016 at 8:43 AM
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    winterboy8

    winterboy8 New Member

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    I will try that this weekend. I tried pulling straight out, but it's very tight and I didn't want to break it. I did try to reach under the dash and I see where the end of the cable attaches. But there's something in the way to get a good look at it. And I can't get it to move more than it currently does. I'll try removing the knob and using pliers to move it. Thanks for the help, it's going to start to cool off soon and I'll need to get the windshield defroster working soon.
     
  11. Oct 20, 2016 at 8:46 AM
    #11
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    Yeah if you have never pulled them off before they may seem a little tight, but just pull straight towards you and they will come right off. Use a good pair of needle nose pliers and be gentle so you don't mangle the part that they slide on to. BTW if you ever accidentally break one of the knobs, you can get a 3 pack for like $5 online, so it isn't a huge deal!
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  12. Oct 20, 2016 at 11:02 AM
    #12
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    ^That's good to know. Wife's truck broke one of the knobs, so we just pull the fan one off, change the temperature and put it back on the fan. (We put the Temp knob on the broken vent selector.)
     
    ToyotaTundraMike likes this.
  13. Oct 20, 2016 at 11:11 AM
    #13
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    Lol! You aren't alone there, before I realized we could order them online for so cheap I would just steal them off of the work truck which was the same model except a limited version. Before long the work truck was down to 1 knob so I figured it was time to order enough for both trucks.

    I was the only one who drove that truck for the longest time, so nobody noticed when I swapped out little odds and ends such as all of the wood grain style interior pieces. Was nice having 2 Tundras!
     
  14. Oct 20, 2016 at 11:14 AM
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    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    I'm kinda scared cause I've got a 2002 Sequioa that has push button selection like the 4WD. I dunno what happens if that goes to shit.
     
  15. Oct 20, 2016 at 11:22 AM
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    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

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    I had an 02 4runner and all the controls on it were pretty solid. The Sequoias were pretty close if I'm not mistaken.
     
  16. Dec 18, 2016 at 3:01 PM
    #16
    shaw0531

    shaw0531 New Member

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    Has this been solved? I had this problem fixed when I bought my truck but last night it got to -10 outside and this morning I went to warm it up and tried changing the vent and it will go from defrost to defrost and feet to feet to feet and face on the dial but as you try to turn it to just face it springs back to the face and feet. It only blows though on the defrost, defrost and face and face only. I can't get it to blow on the feet only even when the control is set on it. I got down and saw the mechanism that moves when the control moves but I can't see if anything is wrong with it
     
  17. Dec 18, 2016 at 5:33 PM
    #17
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    When you find that your nose runs and your feet smell it's possible that you're built upside down, so keeping your face down where the hot air is blowing might be the solution.
     
    joonbug likes this.
  18. Jan 8, 2018 at 6:42 AM
    #18
    MacGyverPC

    MacGyverPC New Member

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    Guys i'd love to say they fixed this issue in the newer trucks, but my 2017 had the same problem yesterday morning. It was 24 degrees when I left the house and I switched the mode knob from vents to defrost to keep the cold air off til it heated some and after some loud clicking the front vents won't change. I'm taking it to the dealership on Wednesday, fortunately i'm still under warranty. Hope they have a more permanent fix.
     

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