I tried this fix yesterday with mixed results on my 02 Highlander. My original wires appeared to have overheated so I tried the complete re-wire fix. I have never used a soldering iron before so it was a definite challenge.
I now have heat, however my function dial does not work (Feet, hands, defrost, etc). These functions do work when I move the temperature dial a little, but then I have no heat! So I either have full heat set to defrost, or no heat! (its a start )
Also, the circulate air light seems to flicker on and off randomly. Too cold to try the AC, but I suspect that is FUBAR as well.
I fear that I have messed up the circuit board. Any ideas? If I retry the solder job, is it a waste of time?
Wish I found this site before I had the work done. Old temperature control unit has two of three wires broken on the ribbon wire connector (asked for the old part back). Will use if the new unit breaks. 2005 Highlander with 49,500 miles
Thanks very much for the advice and photos addressing this problem. My 2003 Highlander started showing heater problem symptoms about a month ago. I took it into Performance Lexus Toyota in St. Catharines on Thursday, January 10 and they quoted $1189 (parts and labour) plus tax for the repair!!! Told them I'd sleep on it but found this forum through the wonders of Google and two days later I have a fully functioning heater system again. (cost - $3.99 for a package of butt connectors)
This is definitely a design flaw that Toyota should address and I'm also very disappointed with my dealer's behaviour. They didn't pop the dash to troubleshoot the problem but they knew exactly what it was....a potentially lucrative payday for them.
When you removed the front panel (Highlander temperature control fix), did you have to remove any clips, screws, etc. first? I copied a schmetaic of the Highlander dsh from a book at the library and it gives the impression that major surgery is required just to begin to get to the point of removing the panel you showed in your pictures. Thanks for your posting
Doesn't require major surgery. 4 screws for the radio support brackets need to be removed, then 6 screws holding the back panel in-place. Lift the back panel off CAREFULLY -- there are 2 circuit boards inside. The purpose of that little clear viewing window in the back panel is to allow (at manufacturing) the assembly of the rear cover and then the plugging in of the ribbon cable to a circuit board attached to the back cover. You CAN remove the back panel w/out undoing the ribbon cable, just be gentle -- the cable is long enough to allow for some movement.
If you wanted you could remove the clear panel to undo the ribbon cable first -- it's attached with some sticky type non-permanent glue. Would likely be best to heat the glue a little bit (blow dryer?) to make it easier to work with...
Hi folks.. I brought my 2001 Highlander to my dealer last May to get the air conditioner fixed. They fixed that, but in the fall (when I needed the heater) I realized I had no heat. Apparently when they fixed the air conditioner, they screwed up the heater.
When I brought it back to the dealer, they explained it would cost about $650+ to fix it. They would have to remove the whole dashboard and replace the heater control unit. (Supposedly lots of labor) The spot on the center knob (plastic) where the nut connects is slightly cracked, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have to replace the whole gosh darn unit. I imagine the wires could be disconnected to the main circuit board or something like that. (as many folks on this forum have described)/
I think the technicians here are clueless and are taking me for a ride on this one. (Service group is under new management) I'm a woman and I'm sure they think I have no clue.
Needless to say, I haven't fixed the heater yet. Any suggestions as to how to handle this? Refurbished units? I live in East Windsor, NJ and the dealership is in Dayton.
I've been reviewing some threads here and I believe I can save a lot of money on this by NOT going to the dealership. Any suggestions? I reviewed the photos and comments posted.
Thanks very much for the advice and photos addressing this problem. My 2003 Highlander started showing heater problem symptoms about a month ago. I took it into Performance Lexus Toyota in St. Catharines on Thursday, January 10 and they quoted $1189 (parts and labour) plus tax for the repair!!! Told them I'd sleep on it but found this forum through the wonders of Google and two days later I have a fully functioning heater system again. (cost - $3.99 for a package of butt connectors)
This is definitely a design flaw that Toyota should address and I'm also very disappointed with my dealer's behaviour. They didn't pop the dash to troubleshoot the problem but they knew exactly what it was....a potentially lucrative payday for them.
InfinitiGirl,
The dealer will only replace the heater control. They will NEVER EVER do soldering. Some Techs don't even know what soldering is!!
The"Whole" dash does NOT need to come apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just the silver panel around the A/C control.
The Dealer usually kills yu on labor here.
How would a dealer make profits if they just soldered everyones Heater Control issue ???????
Anyway...
Follow posted instructions. Or let an experienced electronics guy do it for much cheaper. A radio repair place could even do it if yu directed him with instructions from here. One option. Why pay the dealer to fix a neglected Toyota defect.
The Dealers will always BS especially a Lady when it comes to cars.. I don't have to tell yu this.
If yu feel compelled to do it yourself I suggest yu read up on soldering. It is not hard at all. Please believe this.
But don't do your very first soldering job on THIS project. Practice on somewires and stuff first. The Net has much info on Basic soldering. That's all yu need to know.
99% of people doing this got perfect results. The 1% who did not, basically never did soldering before. But most anyone can do it for sure.
Soldering is fun too. A skill yu develope and use on other projects.
Wish I found this site before I had the work done. Old temperature control unit has two of three wires broken on the ribbon wire connector (asked for the old part back). Will use if the new unit breaks. 2005 Highlander with 49,500 miles
No recall yet?
Sumitomo, is the subcontractor who makes this Faulty Heater control for Toyota.Poor designed for sure. But they still make them for Toyota unchanged in this fashion.
Never will be recalled. Toyota is too busy making large profits to address this Vehicles Flaws. It's a money maker for Toyota Dealers and Toyota when they are off warranty!!!!!!!!!!!
I say it is a safety issue because it part of the defroster controls. A required Vehicle equipment.
But that's just me talking.
What a wonderful thread! Wizzer, I had problems with heater control also on a 2000 mile trip to New York state. Arrived home and came across this forum and was able to make at least a temporary repair (by tightening locknut) and it has been working for about two weeks perfectly. I will now know what to do if and when it quits altogether, but will leave as is until that time.
Congratulations to Wizzer and Bfluitt for your info and pics, as well as others who have contributed to the wealth of knowledge here. Saved big bucks thanks to you all.
Hi, I am new here and I am looking for some help. I have an 05 Highlander and my heat went out. The dealer said that I need to replace my control panel, a 740.00 part. After reading this, I think that it may be as simple as a wire problem.
Last summer while driving with the air on, the heat would come on, and then go back to the cool air. It did it a few times and then quit. This fall when I would turn the heat on it would switch to the air and then back to heat. Now, the heat will not come on at all. My rear heat for the third row seating still works.
I am thinking that it may just possibly be in the wiring. Can anyone advise? I am a little afraid to remove this part on my own but my neighbor may do it for me, he is an electrician. I looked at the pictures that were posted and my control panel looks the same. I DON'T want to pay almost 900.00 to have this repaired at the dealership if I don't have to.
It's pretty easy to open it up and inspect the cable that goes to the heat adjustment knob - fast (visually) to tell whether or not the 3 conductor cable needs to be resoldered.
If inspection doesn't show this is the problem -- then might have to go to the dealer or local shop for a deeper diagnosis. There's not a lot risk in pulling the box (since you are having issues already) -- so just take your time and all will be good.
Sumitomo, is the subcontractor who makes this Faulty Heater control for Toyota.Poor designed for sure. But they still make them for Toyota unchanged in this fashion.
Never will be recalled. Toyota is too busy making large profits to address this Vehicles Flaws. It's a money maker for Toyota Dealers and Toyota when they are off warranty!!!!!!!!!!!
I say it is a safety issue because it part of the defroster controls. A required Vehicle equipment.
But that's just me talking.
LT
I was told the same thing by the dealer about them not recalling it because it's not a safety issue but that is where they are wrong. I was driving my daughter to a Dr. appointment and my window was fogging up. I got real nervous about it. While the cold defrost kept it off, it was in the low 30's that night when we headed back. We where frozen when we got back.
It could really cause a serious problem if the whole thing went out.
I checked my middle knob and it is very wobbly, and I have never really noticed this before I was told to check it out. Now I am more convinced than ever that this is my problem.
If you pull off the heater temp. adjustment knob (yes it just comes off with a little tug) you'll see the control's hold-down nut underneath. My '05 only has 13k miles (bought it used in November) and that nut was very loose on mine. I could tighten it with my fingers -- just to give an idea about how loose it was even with low miles on the vehicle...
Once you get the unit repaired and the nut tigthened -- be sure to either check the nut 1x per year to make sure it stays tight OR do one of these things:
- Take the nut off, slip a locking washer onto the shaft and re-tighten it.
- Get some blue locktite (ace hardware of similiar) and apply to the nut/shaft. This glue's the nut into place and keeps it from working loose.
Isn't that something. A part so simple to cause all of this trouble and Toyota ripping off all of these unsuspecting Highlander owners. I get mad just thinking about it. I am just so thankful that I found you guys. Thanks for all of the help!
I am calling someone in the morning to see if he can fix it. I'll let ya know what happens.
I am also contacting Toyota headquarters. This is really giving them a bad name as far as customer service goes. They could at least try to fix that part & not replace it. A thousand dollars is a lot of money for a three dollar wire problem, don't you think?
Re: Heater quit... sort of
)
Please believe this.
Told to replace Control Panel....
A thousand dollars is a lot of money for a three dollar wire problem, don't you think?
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