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ok, update on this problem.. after trying to figure out why this fix didnt work for me, and looking for a used replacement, i decided to take it apart again and noticed what was wrong.. as you know if you've tried this fix, there is very little room behind the control panel when removing the unit. well. same thing when reinstalling it.. i didnt "click" that harness' back in all the way and of course that was keeping the a/c and heat from working. . so after you do the fix, make sure the harness' "click" in good. because there is so little room back there, it's easy to think they are in all the way when they aren't. hope this helps anyone that did the fix and still had trouble. Bill.
Does anyone have a spare switch (or know where to source one)? My EE friend melted the switch when soldering the connections on the new wires for me. Fortunately it melted so that it's in the cool position - but I need to get it fiixed before the wife starts to freeze in the fall!
i just bought one on ebay.. the above post about me fixing the a/c heater with the fix in the thread didnt pan out. the heater works fine, but the a/c still isnt working.. it initually comes on, and then after 10-20 seconds turns back off.. now i bought a new switch control on ebay (100 bucks) and that one is doing the same thing.. any thoughts or help would be apprecitated.. btw, the a/c shop is the one that initially told us to replace the a/c heat control panel.. help? thanks.
coloradomark. i would ebay one if i were you.. i messed mine up also while resoidering it, so i only have the one working that i got off ebay. good luck.
Bill
I am in Texas and have not used the heat in months but yesterday during a massive rainstorm I noticed that I could not get heat to defrost my windshield. Also, the A/C air is always ice cold even when I turn the dial to hottest setting (on an 85 degree day).
I think this will fix my issue, I will take it all apart this weekend. Thankfully it has been stuck on COLD all summer.
Thanks for the great info from all the posters!!!!
ok, my issue is finally fixed. it was a switch that is on the high level line that turns the a/c compressor on and the fan on. so, I had two problems, the control switch/panel and the relay switch.. hope this helps anyone that does this fix and still has problems. lates.
Hi Wizzer. We saw your writeup on the heater problem and it sounds like we have the same problem. However we have a 2005 Highlander and the "bezzel" or retaining panel is hard plastic which is not yielding to the screwdriver method you described...any clues or what to do? It is getting cold!
I just signed on to this site. I wish all of us that are or did have trouble with the temperature selector control could lobby together and make Toyota replace the part that breaks off after the nut comes lose. We pulled our unit out today and took it to an electronic serviceman to solder for us. Hopefully that will do the trick. I have never had so much trouble with a vehicle as I am having with my Highlander. Hope you were able to fix your problem.
Hi, all. Thanks for the info. I have a 2005 highlander with the same problem, broken wires, middle controller. The two outter wires. I just soldered it from the back leaving the broken wires. I used heavy tie from bread bag, works like a charm.
Hi Johne, How did you get the panel off after you pulled off the knob? We have a 2005 too and the panel is hard plastic and not yielding to the screwdriver method...help, it's getting cold
2003 Highlander heat control switch working great NOW
A special thanks to Wizzer and Don for using this site to post their successes with the heat control switch. We followed the instructions, took out our unit, took it to an electronic fix it guy to solder, picked it up today, reinstalled everything and the unit is working terrifically! Thank you, thank you, thank you! By the way, it only cost us $20. We paid our mechanic $90 last year when all he did was take off the knob and tighten the nut. He said if that didn't work we would have to go to the dealer. Not a good idea!
Hey guys i thankyou for all the info on this forum, it helped me out. I just took apart my wifes ac/heat controls and soldered them up, and it works great. The wife has heat now.......thanks again toyota don
Great tips! I had the exact problem on my 2001 highlander - intermittent and inconsistent heat control. 2 of the 3 wires on the ribbon cable leading to temperature control knob were broken. A quick resolder, and the unit works just fine now. I had the plastic bezel off and the heater control unit out in about 30 minutes. The dealer quoted me a price of almost $800 to replace the entire heater control unit. A couple things to recommend to others: 1) you might want to check and tighten the bolts for the other knobs if they are loose. I could forsee the other ribbon cables breaking if the knob is loose and the switch jiggles in place. 2) Take care not to overheat the circuit board when soldering. This was a quick and easy solder; just a second or so and the connection was fixed.
Thanks to all the great info. This saved me hundreds of dollars!!!
Thanks to all of you for the info. I have the same exact problem with my 04 Highlander-but so far I can't find someone to fix it for me. Dealer wants over $1.000 just for the new part (labor would be extra) and the mechanic from a local gas station won't touch it-he fears liability issues if my car blows up. Very frustrating...and it is getting cold up here in Massachusetts! Do you think this is something a person with NO expereince could do herself? I have read the blog several times-I just do not want to crack my dashboard trying to get to the frayed wires. Bringing it to an electronic guy for soldering sounds do-able too. Thanks for your help..
Do you still have the control? I may need it if I do not have the same problem and cant repair the wires. Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wizzer
OK. I solved my porblem. Here is what hapened. The nut that holds the temperature control to thee front panel came loose. The knob and control started to wobble. This stressed the wires on back. Eventually 2 of the 3 wires attaching the temperature control to the cotrol circuit board broke. When the control knob was in certain positions one or both came into contact and the heat would come on.
I went to the dealer and they said "replace the heater contol unit." It costs $ 586.00 plus labor. I bought one from a junkyard for $ 75.00. I removed the bezel which surrounds the whole unit by gently prying it with a couple of screwdrivers. Be very careful not to sccratch the dash. Once that I saw that all connections to the back were electircal (3 plugs) I removed the old one. I opened it up and saw the broken wires. I soldered them, reinstalled it and it works fine now.
Anyone want a Heater control unit for a 2001 - 2003 Highlander for $ 75.00 plus shipping? It comes with the balance of the 30 day warranty.
Re: Heater quit... sort of
2003 Highlander heat control switch working great NOW
Linear Mode
