Air only blows from face vents

BRADLEYSCHWAB

MEMBER
2007 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
3.3L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160,500 MILES

Hello, my heat and A/C work fine, however it blows from the face vents only regardless of switching to feet or defrost. This is dangerous when the windshield fogs up during driving in the rain. The knob movement doesn’t feel right but does click something as I can hear a small motorized movement down under dash somewhere.
Everywhere I look, it’s always talking about everything but this specific issue. I’m decent with fixing things just don’t know where to start. This is also for others who might have the same issue and are struggling to find help with it. Thank you.

3 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

I would suspect the mode door motor has failed. The noise is the key. You should not hear the motor at all. That tells me there is a failure in the motor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

It is under the dash on the driver's side on the case. I attached pictures for you to view.

Roy

1. INSPECT AIR OUTLET CONTROL SERVO MOTOR
a. Remove the air outlet control servo motor.
b. Connect the positive (+) lead from the battery to terminal 4 and negative (-) lead to terminal 5, then check that the lever turns to "DEF" position.
c. Connect the positive (+) lead from the battery to terminal 5 and negative (-) lead to terminal 4, then check that the lever turns to "FACE" position.

NOTE: While using the battery during inspection, do not bring the positive and negative tester probes too close to each other as a short circuit may occur.

If the operation is not as specified, replace the air outlet control servo motor.

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Sunday, January 31st, 2021 AT 3:17 AM

BRADLEYSCHWAB

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your quick response. I read through several other peoples issues and I’ve never seen such good explanations.
I appreciate what you are doing for people. One thing before I go into fixing it. What about the mode knob movement feeling not normal? In the middle of travel between def and face it’s almost completely neutral with no drag. Then it tightens up and slightly clicks at either end. Also, the sound I can just barely hear while turning it isn’t so much a motor sound, just a subtle movement sound down where the actuator is as I turn from face to def back and forth. That’s why I described it as a motorized movement sound. Because I’m picturing the motor doing something down there. That odd feeling knob is making something happen down there. And it really sounds like what I would guess an actuator sounds like. I don’t mean to challenge so please don’t be offended.
Thank you again!

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Sunday, January 31st, 2021 AT 5:22 AM

ASEMASTER6371