Prado's heater is stuck ON !!

[Nema Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nema]

Hey all.

On the weekend we have had a little issue. The heater seems to stuck on. We looked the heater valve and that seems to be moving ok when you turn the dial but does not change the temperature. So on the trip home today from the Otways we have had one of the hottest drives I think I have ever had. Even with the fan turned off and the windows all the way down we were sweating like pigs.

Does anyone have any clues as to what has happened? Any advice would be great.

Nema

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hey all.

On the weekend we have had a little issue. The heater seems to stuck on. We looked the heater valve and that seems to be moving ok when you turn the dial but does not change the temperature. So on the trip home today from the Otways we have had one of the hottest drives I think I have ever had. Even with the fan turned off and the windows all the way down we were sweating like pigs.

Does anyone have any clues as to what has happened? Any advice would be great.

Nema

Most likely the valve is buggered, just becasue the lever is moving doesn't mean the ball inside is moving. I would guess the shaft in the valve is no longer solidly attached to the ball. If its still blowing hot that means you haven't shut of the hot water going through, heaters are pretty basic, not much else it could be.

Cheers Andrew

[Nema Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nema]

Hi Andrew,

I had a feeling that i might be something like that but was not confident. Ill have to try and pull the valve out tomorrow and then go and source a new one. Bit of a pain where it is situated right at the back of the engine bay.

Ill let you know what I find and take a photo if possible.

Dave

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

What side of the model cycle is your vehicle, is it series one or two, as 2000 saw the update. Series one uses cables for the heater/vent controls and series two uses valves. If it is series one, there is a common fault with the cable fraying inside the outer tube, you will need to take the temp control knob off, and use a set of pliers to move the cable in and out, so that the frayed bit breaks off, this will free up your cable and it will be as good as new. If it is a series two, you will have to replace the heater control valve as it may be seized inside it.

[Nema Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nema]

I think mine is series 2. Dec99 and has the newer type tail lights. When I turn the knob it makes noises but we removed the cable from the valve under the bonnet and it seems to move freely and the cable appears to have the full range of motion when you turn the dial. I think there is a bit more investigation to do tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys i really appreciate it. I guess I am just glad its not over 30 degrees here anymore.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

It's likely more than a heater tap/valve problem.
In the heater box there is a flap, sounds like for some reason this might be stuck on hot??????

[Nema Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nema]

Well got home pulled dash apart (which now I know I didnt need to do but oh well) and found a little connector had been disconnected from the flap that #### was talking about. I think the guys that put my unichip in have knocked it off during there install. So at least its fixed but I think i have just wasted $120 on new aircon gas I put in just before easter. I thought it was getting warmer in the cab cause of no gas but the flap was slightly ajar and when I used the heater on the weekend the wire was able to push the flap full open but not bring the flap back to closed again.

Thanks for all your help guys. I will put some photos up soon.

Dave

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Well got home pulled dash apart (which now I know I didnt need to do but oh well) and found a little connector had been disconnected from the flap that #### was talking about. I think the guys that put my unichip in have knocked it off during there install. So at least its fixed but I think i have just wasted $120 on new aircon gas I put in just before easter. I thought it was getting warmer in the cab cause of no gas but the flap was slightly ajar and when I used the heater on the weekend the wire was able to push the flap full open but not bring the flap back to closed again.

Thanks for all your help guys. I will put some photos up soon.

Dave

Hey Dave,

First thing when you have a problem with a Toyota is, think who worked on it last what was done???
I try not to be like that, because as a vehicle technician I see how customers want to blame whoever touched the vehicle last, however some of these monkeys do stuff things up.......
I hope I pointed you in the right direction. So all good now?

[Nema Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nema]

Hey ####, Yeah thanks for all the help it was exactly as you described. Hooked it back up as the photo shows and sure enough heater works and more importantly so does the cold setting. And I do have to say I think the regas has helped with the chill factor.

So overall happy it was an easy fix. It will be good to catch up next Friday.

Dave

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hey ####, Yeah thanks for all the help it was exactly as you described. Hooked it back up as the photo shows and sure enough heater works and more importantly so does the cold setting. And I do have to say I think the regas has helped with the chill factor.

So overall happy it was an easy fix. It will be good to catch up next Friday.

Dave

I was actually going to say the cable might have come off the flap arm. But left it a bit more open, hard to say without seeing it, being that hot it was clear the flap was wide open to the heater core. usually it will feel a bit lighter to twist if the cable is off, and you won't hear the usual clunk at each end.

Yes an aircon service will improve the coldness and efficiency of the air-con.
I just had mine serviced a week or so ago for that exact reason.
On the next tech day, I might organise the air-con specialist to do same, maybe a group deal?
They say you should service it every couple years or so, the guy I use puts the dye is standard, to trace any leaks later if you ever get any, and oil for the compressor, I think $150 is a lot cheaper than a new DENSO compressor......

Catch you next week!

[Dutchy123 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dutchy123]

Hi there, I've got a 2000 gxl with the newer climate control. The heater is stuck on and I think it's either the climate control unit or the actuator that's broken.
Can anyone tell me where the actuator is?
Anyone had this happen to o them?