1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Heater issues: heat automatically directed to windshield, no matter selection?!

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by yosh2000, Jan 10, 2021.

  1. Jan 10, 2021 at 9:20 PM
    #1
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    Member:
    #8964
    Messages:
    257
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    '17 MGM CM Tundra
    10/07 update for REF and possible future searchers: Finally got issues resolved. Seems @ColoradoTJ called it, well done!

    Turned out to be an air mixing vent disengaged from heater box transmission? See attached photo of service dept description. All is well now, zero air is diverted to vent, no matter the temp. Its like a whole new truck!!

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    '17 SR5 crewmax:

    When HVAC controls are turned to full heat and console/floor vent, the controls will override to windshield vents with very little flow coming from console/floor vents. When I turn the heat to straight up halfway, full flow to console/floor as selected. Turn only heat up a little bit, and I will hear vents redirecting flow back to the windshield?

    What gives?! It seems the HVAC controls are set to not allow anything over middle temp selection to the console/floor vents. If anything over middle temp is selected, the controls force flow to the windshield?

    vent.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2021
  2. Jan 10, 2021 at 10:39 PM
    #2
    TXTundra2722

    TXTundra2722 Pipe Hitters Union

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2018
    Member:
    #22236
    Messages:
    1,759
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black Tundra
    I'm no expert in this area, but do you have any modifications at all or ever pulled the HU or dash apart for any reason? Hopefully someone can pipe up with prior issues and a remedy in this area for you.
     
  3. Jan 10, 2021 at 10:54 PM
    #3
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,624
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Sounds like you have a blend door actuator that has failed. The default position is to the windshield vents (for obvious reasons).
     
  4. Jan 10, 2021 at 11:13 PM
    #4
    jwatt

    jwatt I heart men

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
    Member:
    #40985
    Messages:
    1,301
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    Salsa Red 2007 Tundra DC @91k.
    7" BDS Coilover Suspension Lift/BDS UCAs/XB LED Headlights/Nitto trail Grappler tires on Black Rhyno Armory wheels
    It never fails. I hear a subtle squeeking sound, like something is closing, a few minutes after I shut off the engine. I think it s that door resetting itself.
     
  5. Jan 11, 2021 at 7:04 AM
    #5
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    Member:
    #8964
    Messages:
    257
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    '17 MGM CM Tundra
    i can hear the blend door switch when i turn the heat down to the middle position, one click to the hot, and i hear the door move again and direct the flow to the windshield. it works, just directs the heat per the heat setting, rather than the position knob. if that makes sense.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Jan 11, 2021 at 7:11 AM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,624
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    It could be a broken blend door or linkage to the door from the actuator. It’s just a little piece of plastic.
     
  7. Jan 11, 2021 at 8:15 AM
    #7
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2018
    Member:
    #19520
    Messages:
    1,516
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Platinum
    GFC, Dobinsons IMS, RW's 285/75/17
    I had my defrost button selected which overrides the outputs on my 17. Kind of the same symptoms. It confused me for a few days. Make sure no defrost is selected before trouble shooting...
     
  8. Jan 11, 2021 at 9:47 AM
    #8
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2020
    Member:
    #43761
    Messages:
    3,429
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    KG, VA
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 CM 4WD, TRD Off-Road, Voodoo Blue
    Spiffy console tray Spiffy N-Fab steps Spiffy Katzkin seats
    Two questions for you:

    1. Do you have the upgraded HVAC (with the sync button and the little LCD screen)?
    2. If so - when it does this, does the LCD screen take a few for anything to show up?
     
  9. Jan 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM
    #9
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2019
    Member:
    #33569
    Messages:
    2,114
    Gender:
    Male
    MoCo, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cement Tundra crew max TRD Off Road
    The blend door actuator was a known issue with the fifth generation 4runners; I had to replace mine when I owned it. Sounds like this is the same issue
     
  10. Jan 12, 2021 at 8:10 AM
    #10
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    Member:
    #8964
    Messages:
    257
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    '17 MGM CM Tundra
    I just have the standard 3 knob HVAC.

    Defrost button is not on.

    It seems the door actuator is working fine. flow is diverted normally how ever I select it when the temp dial is straight up or anywhere to the cool side. Its just it seems the flow overrides to the windshield, no matter the flow selected on the dial, if the temp dial is anything more than straight up towards the heat side.


    I just want hot air to blow on my face and feet when i select it!! Is that too much to ask?!! ha!
     
  11. Jan 12, 2021 at 9:13 AM
    #11
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54134
    Messages:
    14,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Casey
    Clark County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock TRD Pro CM
    Check the build link in my signature.
    My first thought was that the defrost button was on - that overrides any other settings. But it would override everything no matter the temperature.
    If you hear the doors moving (yes, that sound you hear after you turn off the truck is them resetting), and things are working normal until the temperature is turned up higher, then at surface level I would think it probably isn't the actuators...

    Which would lead me to suspect the possibility that the AC "amplifier" (ECU) is having issues. OR, it could be a door actuator failing (just not the one you are hearing move), and that is causing the AC amplifier to move to a trouble mode and override to the defrost.

    I don't have the manual controls to test with, but the reason I would check all of the different actuators first is 1) they are a lot cheaper than the amplifier and 2) if one of the actuators is failing, I have found that it causes the amplifier to do strange things.

    For example, on my 2008 I did the Auto-AC climate control upgrade. Prior to me doing it, everyone that had done the mod had used their manual actuators and wiring harness and kept having issues with the AC system re-setting every time they started up the truck (temperatures would be reset, previous settings for mode/fan/etc. would all be reset, etc.). When I did the upgrade on my truck, I added the extra actuator (even though it wasn't hooked up to anything), and also swapped the wiring harness out for the one that had a terminal for the extra actuator as well. Because the amplifier was expecting to see and send power to 5 actuators instead of 4, it worked perfectly in my truck and I had no issues with resets, lost settings, etc.

    Then, after about 4 years, I started having issues with the AC resetting, and also having issues with the air not coming through the right ports (I don't remember exactly which ones it was routing to, but it wasn't the ones I would select). I started checking the actuators and found that one of them had crapped out. I ordered a used replacement off ebay for $20, swapped it out, and everything worked again.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #11
  12. Jan 12, 2021 at 11:37 AM
    #12
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2020
    Member:
    #43761
    Messages:
    3,429
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    KG, VA
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 CM 4WD, TRD Off-Road, Voodoo Blue
    Spiffy console tray Spiffy N-Fab steps Spiffy Katzkin seats
    Thanks for posting this. I say this because I'm having the same occasional issue (and I mean REAL occasional) but I've got the automatic AC thing. It happens SO infrequently that it's damn near impossible to catch; and I was wondering if there was a way to sort of troubleshoot it.

    In my case, it's a bit different - when the truck turns on, the little screen that displays the vent direction is lit up but blank for about 45 seconds....once it lights up, I can press any button I want but it still defaults to the defrost vents.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #12
  13. Mar 12, 2021 at 9:42 AM
    #13
    BenAZ

    BenAZ New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Member:
    #4772
    Messages:
    215
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Prescott Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2007 Slate Metallic Double Cab

    Are you getting luke warm or hot air from any other vents? My 2007 that I just bought last week is doing the same thing. I have found a few videos, and plan to try and fix it tomorrow after it warms up a bit.

    For diag and trouble shooting with a breakdown of issues:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FB8IaEgFcE

    Showing correct alignment of doors for reassembly:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo9HTgMO2tU&list=LL&index=2
     
  14. Mar 12, 2021 at 1:36 PM
    #14
    French Avocado

    French Avocado Double Entundra

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2020
    Member:
    #45583
    Messages:
    1,382
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Utah / Wyo
    Vehicle:
    2020 Platinum MGM; 2008 Ltd TRD SRP
  15. Mar 13, 2021 at 12:00 PM
    #15
    BenAZ

    BenAZ New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Member:
    #4772
    Messages:
    215
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Prescott Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2007 Slate Metallic Double Cab
    I can confirm that the above videos helped to resolve my issue. I now have full function of my HVAC. My motors just needed to be re-timed because someone broke off the top retaining piece to the clip on the wiring harness side. That said, OP it wouldn't be a bad idea to get advice from a pro.
     
  16. Mar 14, 2021 at 6:51 AM
    #16
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2020
    Member:
    #43761
    Messages:
    3,429
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    KG, VA
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 CM 4WD, TRD Off-Road, Voodoo Blue
    Spiffy console tray Spiffy N-Fab steps Spiffy Katzkin seats
    Nope. When it happens to me, it's only coming from the defrost vents; but it's full hot/cold air, whatever I want.

    They did replace a damper...but it didn't make a difference, so they're contacting the Toyota FTS to see what the next step is.
     
    BenAZ[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Oct 7, 2021 at 10:08 AM
    #17
    yosh2000

    yosh2000 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    Member:
    #8964
    Messages:
    257
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    '17 MGM CM Tundra
    did you ever get this issue resolved? I finally got mine resolved, "defroster flap not engaged to transmission". I updated my initial post with info. Hope that helps if you are still having issues.
     
  18. Jan 15, 2022 at 6:04 PM
    #18
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    I had this happen to my 2020 Tundra today. I have the LCD screen and sync and all that jazz. Went outside today at -20C and started my truck and the LCD screen didn't show anything as you described for about a minute. I figured the screen was slow because it was so cold. Then it came on and I thought all was normal. I had my heat on full because well...-20 lol. However after driving for 20 minutes my feet were still freezing. That is when I noticed that the air was only coming out of the window defrost. Did not matter what mode it was on.

    I turned it all off and turned it back on...nothing. I turned the truck off and turned it back on and it was still doing it.

    I have seen some horror stories of people being quoted $3,000 for the fix.

    I am not happy.
     
  19. Jan 15, 2022 at 6:09 PM
    #19
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2021
    Member:
    #66925
    Messages:
    1,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement Crewmax Limited TRD 4X4
    Warranty? Keep us posted please.
     
  20. Jan 15, 2022 at 6:20 PM
    #20
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    Rog will do, I'll have to call them on Monday. I completely expect to be dicked around.
     
  21. Jan 15, 2022 at 6:26 PM
    #21
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2021
    Member:
    #66925
    Messages:
    1,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement Crewmax Limited TRD 4X4
    If you’re under 36k, it should be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty.
     
    HulkSmurf14 likes this.
  22. Jan 15, 2022 at 6:27 PM
    #22
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    I am under that. I still expect to be dicked around lol
     
  23. Jan 16, 2022 at 12:36 PM
    #23
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    So I tried the truck today and it seems to work as normal. I am sure that Toyota will try to say it's fine and put it off until the warranty is over.
     
  24. Jan 16, 2022 at 3:57 PM
    #24
    WXman

    WXman New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2021
    Member:
    #71986
    Messages:
    196
    Gender:
    Male
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra SR5 Crew Max 4x4 5.7L
    Can I ask a quick question as a side note? On these trucks if I turn the dial to defrost/floor or defrost setting, does the A/C compressor automatically come on? Or do I still have to manually hit the button to turn it on?

    On previous trucks I've had, the floor and dash vent settings would require a push of the A/C button to get dry, conditioned air but the defrost or defrost/floor settings would kick it on automatically, for obvious reasons. Just curious how these trucks are designed to function....
     
  25. Jan 16, 2022 at 5:56 PM
    #25
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2020
    Member:
    #43761
    Messages:
    3,429
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    KG, VA
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 CM 4WD, TRD Off-Road, Voodoo Blue
    Spiffy console tray Spiffy N-Fab steps Spiffy Katzkin seats
    @yosh2000 - sort of. It was 'fixed' last year (March, I believe). They replaced the servo damper subassembly, and it fixed it....until about 2 weeks ago. LOL

    Trying to catch it to see if it does it again. I'm not too upset, as I don't think the issue is super widespread...but while the heat 'works', with literally every single vehicle I've ever owned, I've never had any issues with the HVAC...until the Tundra. It's the ONLY issue I've had, but given the cost of replacement, I sure hope that it doesn't persist forever. We'll have to see what happens this time.
     
  26. Jan 18, 2022 at 4:19 PM
    #26
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    Took my 2020 to Toyota today for this issue. The truck is still under warranty. Service guy called me saying the mechanic checked the codes and it turns out the battery is bad and they believe that's what's causing the heater to be stuck on window defrost only.

    I refused their $350 battery and said I'd replace it myself.

    Go to pick the truck up and they charged me for diagnosing the problem. $77. I asked why and he said batteries aren't covered under warranty. I said yeah I get that replacing the battery isn't under warranty but for me bringing in my truck for a heater issue and you saying it's the battery forces me to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic? I wasn't happy. Not sure if I should take it further up the line as I find that to be total BS
     
  27. Jan 18, 2022 at 4:26 PM
    #27
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2021
    Member:
    #66925
    Messages:
    1,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement Crewmax Limited TRD 4X4
    If it is the original battery it should be covered under the 3yr/36k bumper to bumper warranty and or under the battery warranty itself. I would escalate this if it were me. I hate dealers and understand the frustration. Keep us pirated.
     
  28. Jan 18, 2022 at 6:37 PM
    #28
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    The only thing under the warranty under the exclusion section that talked about batteries is this. But I believe transmitter battery is the key?

    Screenshot_20220118-213151.jpg
     
  29. Jan 18, 2022 at 6:45 PM
    #29
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2021
    Member:
    #66925
    Messages:
    1,002
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement Crewmax Limited TRD 4X4
    Are you going to escalate this and or show the dealer? I’m assuming you paid the diagnostic fee to get your truck back
     
  30. Jan 18, 2022 at 6:53 PM
    #30
    Walkem

    Walkem New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #44677
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport Premium CMax
    I did pay it. I debated just grabbing the keys and saying nah I'm not paying that but then they'd likely call the cops and I am a cop in that area and then it just gets awkward lol.

    Yeah I'll be making some calls. Not sure if I should be calling the dealer or someone from Toyota. Any recommendations?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top