A/C not working on the driver's side?

Tiny
JOE EBER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 LEXUS RX 330
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 350,000 MILES
The A/C works on the passenger side but not the driver. The heat works on both sides. I've replaced the temperature control unit with a used one and same symptoms. The blend door actuator on the passenger side works because I see the arm moving. Help!
Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 1:04 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

There are two air mix dampers (blend air door actuators) on this vehicle. One is for the passenger side (which appears to be working properly). You indicated that the actuator is moving. Did you check the one on the driver's side?

I attached a pic below showing the location. Let me know if this has been done.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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Thank you for your reply. It is most helpful. Now my challenge is figuring out how to get to the actuator on the driver's side. I saw a video that sort of showed that, but it looked complicated. I know how to remove the panel that's by the gas pedal, but how do you remove the big panel under the shifter? Nex challenge! Thanks again.
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Saturday, March 25th, 2023 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

Which panel are you referring to? Is it the insulator panel above where your knees would be located when seated?

Do me a favor. For some reason, the manual isn't indicating a panel. Could you take a couple of pics and upload them for me to see what you are dealing with?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, March 25th, 2023 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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In the attached photo you see the gas pedal. You may have to rotate the picture 90 degrees to make sense of it. To the right of it, is a small panel with 2 black clips. I can take that panel out. But I want to get to the driver side A/C actuator. The diagrams don't show exactly where it is, so I may have to take off the panel to the right of the small panel mentioned above. That is the one I can't figure out how to take out if I need to.
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Sunday, March 26th, 2023 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

If you remove that panel, you should be able to access it. In the pic I attached above, it doesn't appear very high up. When you remove the one panel, are you able to see up inside where the HVAC box is located?

The other panel you are referring to shouldn't have anything to do with it. If I am seeing it correctly, that likely has screws holding it in place that are hidden under plastic covers.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, March 26th, 2023 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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Removing the small panel does not give enough of a view. I'm going to have to figure out how to remove the panel next to it to get at the actuator. I think the actuator is higher than what the diagram suggests.
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Monday, March 27th, 2023 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

Anything is possible. I looked at the pic again. Is that a panel or part of a center console? Let me know. If you could get a front-view picture of that part, it may help me.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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A quick update: I figured out how to remove the panels under the shifter to expose the area we're talking about. However, I could not figure out which is the actuator. There is not a lot of room to work with. I should have taken a picture. I will take it apart again in a week or so and take pictures and keep you updated.
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Monday, April 3rd, 2023 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. And I agree. There is no room. If you look at the pic I attached above, see if that can help you locate the actuator.

I look forward to hearing from you. I'm interested in knowing if you are able to replace it.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, April 3rd, 2023 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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I finally took apart the covers that hid the actuator. I am attaching 2 pictures of what I saw. Interestingly, the actuator moves when I change the temp from low to high. The pictures show when the arm is up and when it is down.
So, if the actuator is working, we're back to square one. What can be causing the A/C not to work on the driver's side?
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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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Here is the 2nd picture (it only allows one at a time).
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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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One more thing; I noticed that one of the fans is not working. There are 2 fans and if you are looking into the engine the one on the right (driver side) is not working. Could this possibly be a factor?
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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

As far as the cooling fans are concerned, it is normal for one to come on with the AC. That is referred to as a condenser fan. The other fan will come on when a specific engine temp is reached to help cool down the engine coolant.

If the air temp actuator is working, the next question is if something broke that connects the door and the actuator.

I feel bad asking this, but how comfortable are you with removing the actuator?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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I tried to get to all screws holding the actuator but there is a black plastic vent in the way. It is for the air to warm or cool the feet. I could not get it to come out. I unbolted it with the one bolt in the front, but it still does not come out. I'm missing something in how it is held in. But that's in the way. Now that I know how to take everything apart, I feel comfortable doing it.
Any thoughts on the getting out the plastic vent?
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Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 AT 5:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Joe,

Do me a favor. Take a look at the attached pic and let me know which one is in your way. Some of these require the use of a screwdriver to lever up the 2 claws on the body from inside the register.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
JOE EBER
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I just wanted to close out this thread. I took the car the Autotech II, a local place that claims expertise in A/C as well as everything else. Unlike my mechanic, they first emptied out the coolant from the system and discovered that it had barely any left. Once they filled it both sides are working as they should. They put a dye in the system to detect any leaks. Although they found none, I suspect there are and I will take it back in a a few weeks to see if any show up. Thanks for your help, guys. I now know how to take consoles apart in my car if I ever need to again.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 4:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. That is an interesting fix. There is only one evaporator that produces the cool air. Regardless, I'm glad to know it has been resolved.

Take care and feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 6:53 PM

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