Highlander Heat/Cool control

[blum5977]

Good Morning,

I own a 01 Highlander. The heat/cool control works but very intermittenely. Strange as it sounds if the control is set at the coolest setting it blows out hot as can be. One click toward warmer and it blows out like it should, cool. After reading some other posts it sounds like it could be a wiring issue. Does the plastic piece surrounding the radio and heater controls come off. Does the instrument panel need to come off? A Toyota dealer quoted over 600.00 for this. Other posts I have read say that I could do this at home get the part at a junkyard for 75.00. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Mark

[smcgough]

The trim that surrounds the controls pulls off. I found it easiest to do this with the shifter in 1st to give more room. You may need a small flat head screwdriver to prise it off a little at the base before you can get your fingers behind it.
When the trim is off, you will see six 10mm screws holding the control panel in.
Have a look on ebay, sometimes the panels crop up on there.

S.

[blum5977]

Good afternoon,

I would like to thank everyone who has posted that has helped me fix the problem I was having. I ended up fixing the problem I was having with a $7.00 soldering gun from a local store. Behind the control for the heat/cool are 3 wires that must control the temperature. Over time this must have loosened and the wires were only touching intermittentley. Toyota wanted 500.00 for the dials, and any of the local junkyards didn't have the part. A very novice soldering job did the trick. A week of driving and the wife has been staying cool. Those of you who told me about removing the trim and other tips I read were very helpful. Thanks

[LifeTech]

A common problem with the standard manual type NON-climate controlled A/C controls. This FIX has been documented many times here on TS.

Great find for many Members!
LT

[anafii]

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum
I own a 2002 Toyota Highlander and I am having problems with The AC heater control unit. I Would like to see if any one has one for sale

[stefdoj]

My 05 Highlander is blowing heat full time -- in the summer! I understand from these posts that it may be a problem I can fix with a soldering iron, or that I can get a new part from a junkyard. What is this thing called so that i know what to ask the junkman for? And how would I know what to try to solder?

[anafii]

Hi I hope ypu had a good luck with fixing the ac control
As far as me, I still need to find this part
Could you tell me where can I get this part
Thanks

[paulyboy]

Hi Everyone,

Yes...We too have a 2002 Highlander with the same heater/AC control problem. Thank You for steering me the right direction. This is an expensive fix at the dealership! I'll work on it this weekend and hope to cancel my tuesday AM appt with the dealership. I was going to get a second opinion since the first dealer quoted over $700.00. Time to call upon my old mechanical skills for that kinda dough!

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL POSTERS WHO HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS DEFECT

[vlkelly]

I have a 2002 Highlander. The AC control head has gone haywire. The dial no longer "controls" the temperature. Dealership wants around $900. I see some past postings stating that the problem is minor & could easily be fixed. Can someone give me more detailed instruction to try to take care of this? Thank you.

[bepperb]

search for the thread "heater quit... sort of" it has all the information you need.

[lucky777]

Heater quit... sort of

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by vlkelly

I have a 2002 Highlander. The AC control head has gone haywire. The dial no longer "controls" the temperature. Dealership wants around $900. I see some past postings stating that the problem is minor & could easily be fixed. Can someone give me more detailed instruction to try to take care of this? Thank you.

Yu mean yu haven't Googled this already.
Do a search here or even easier, use the link above.

[TOTOY]

Hi, Everyone.

I'm new to the site and having the same Highlander problem, i.e., the A/C-Heater switch malfunction.

With your inputs and experiences doing the same problem, I was able to do it myself.

Thanks a lot and more power!!!!!!!

TOTOY

[masood1224]

I have been having the same HVAC problems. After reading the threads, I realized perhaps I didn't actually need to solder anything at all, I just tightened the retaining nut on the potentiometer stem after removing the temperature control knob and it seemed to fix the problem. At this point, I'm running a trial by error process to fix this if this is an ongoing problem, if it persists. I'm new to the forum, does anyone have pics that they can post or point to a location where I can find pics on diagnosing and fixing problems?

[Kevinc]

I have a 2002 HL too, same issue! After reading these posts I'm on it!

Thanks guys!

BTW any 4cyl HL owners out there know what they are getting for MPG?

kc