Hey Scotty, I have a 2009 Toyota Venza 2.7 4-cylinder. About to reach 260 thousand miles. I have had an issue with my AC system for almost a few years now. But I'm starting to get tired of it and want to fix it actually. When I start the car, it automatically goes into Auto, and you can't change the temperature. You have to wait 30 seconds to a minute for it to work. But after waiting it works perfectly fine. I replaced the driver-side HVAC air door actuator as many people had the same issue as me and I thought I would have the same problem. But after replacing it it made no difference. I still have this issue with the 30-second delay. I've tried disconnecting my battery and leaving it for a while. I've checked all the fuses, the system has no codes. Does anyone else have any recommendations? I m considering replacing the passenger-side HVAC actuator, but I don't want to put too much work and money into something that isn't a huge problem. I can live with the delay, but it would be nice to fix it now. I attached a YouTube video below. That's the part I replaced and it perfectly describes the issue I am having. I make a post on Toyota forums but nobody responded. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Link: Change a blend door actuator/air mix servo motor on a 2014 Toyota Venza yourself! - YouTube
nobody really responded to this post
A malfunctioning actuator on either the driver's side or the passenger's side can also cause 30 second delay and similar issues on many other Toyota models/years. If you've made sure the blend doors are moving when the servos are operating and they're working properly.. you might have to replace the A/C amplifier - which means removing the dash. Before you do anything else I suggest further diagnosis using a high-end, bidirectional scan tool. (not just on-board diagnostics).
I noticed "zaza" at Toyota nation is helping you. From what I've read you've been given good advice.
Thank you for your response. Yes, the user Zaza has been helping me. I'm going to be checking the air inlet door damper sometime this week. The code 42 is linked to that. I checked the servo motor all of them are functioning properly. I also checked and made sure everything got power. So I eliminated the idea of it being the servo motor. If it's the amplifier. I'll just wait 30 seconds. I'll try and update you this week if I can. I appreciate the feedback.
You're welcome. I was hoping when you took out the cabin filter to get a decent view of the 3 other servos you'd discover the 'nuisance delay' was caused by a 'more accessible component' instead of the amplifier. Good luck
I'm back with an update for you. Here are a few things I did. The first thing I did was a servo motor initialization. Unfortunately, that didn't work. Next, I tried to clean the connectors to the AC amplifier and reconnecting everything still didn't work. After taking a look at the amplifier I took a look at the damper door. I took out my cabin filter and checked there nothing getting stuck. But when I hit recirculation to fresh the damper door does not move. So I believe that is the problem at this point. I don't know if it's supposed to stay in the same position or not. I tried to take photos and uploaded it to the Toyota page. I can't upload pictures here, unfortunately.
I wanted to give you another update. Basically, I took everything apart again and tried to do another inspection. I did confirm the damper door itself is good everything seems to be in good condition. As well as the hinges for it. I did notice that when I hit the recirculation button the motor on the right makes a noise but doesn't move. So it is most likely the air inlet servo motor. I can fit a very tiny screwdriver in there but I don't know how to align the part or anything. Do you by chance have a diagram on aligning the part? I ordered the part 604-962. I couldn't figure out what the OEM part number is and that's what I found online as the recirculation servo motor.
Update: Someone from a Toyota page responded telling me it could still be a servo motor issue but I already replaced the driver-side servo motor. I started to think this problem was impossible to solve. I inspected the drive side one a while ago. I changed temperatures and fan speeds and it seems to run smoothly. I didn't see it getting stuck anywhere. I decided to check the passenger side motor and I didn't notice anything getting stuck either. They both only move after the Auto sign goes away though. Neither side moves before. I think that's cause the computer can't recognize an airflow movement until I hit the fan button but as soon as I do it works. This is the OEM part number: 87106-07120. That's for the driver-side motor I replaced. Does anyone think it's for the passenger side by chance still? I was looking around online and was told that the Venza has motors that control the air conditioning in the dash. Im not sure if that's true or not. I don't really want to take apart the dashboard or anything. I feel like I'm overlooking this or something but I'm not sure entirely what I'm missing. I wanted to add something while I was diagnosing my car. I can't attach a photo of the passenger-side assembly for the temp servo motor. But I attached a link below and if you scroll down slightly you can see the photo of my passenger side servo motor and the two blue cables. When I disconnected both of the blue cables the AC was still on Auto and still turned on after 30 seconds. Is there a way to tell if a motor is bad or needs to be replaced? I don't really know what steps I should take to solve this issue. Any help would still be greatly appreciated.
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/ac-delay-help.1767311/
Update 2: I did a self-diagnosis from the Toyota owner's manual and it showed a DTC code of 42. Here is the link: Toyota Venza: Air Inlet Damper Control Servo Motor Circuit (B1442/42) - Air Conditioning System - Service Manual (tovenza.com). I replaced the driver-side servo motor already so I eliminated that as the problem already. I checked the wiring and I got power to all plugs. I then saw the two options it could be possibly were reprogramming the servo motors or it could be the AC amplifier. The dampers move smoothly after the AUTO sign goes away after 30 seconds so that can't be a possibility either. Does anyone think reprogramming the servo motor could help the AUTO sign go away? I don't really want to replace the AC amplifier as that would require taking apart the dash and it's very expensive to do. I was curious to know if any Toyota Camry owners have had a solution to this. I noticed nobody really responded to this post and I think that cause not that many people know much about a Toyota Venza there are not that many videos out there online but the Venza and Camry shared a lot in common electrically speaking so any feedback from a Camry owner would be greatly appreciated.
I can't upload pictures here, unfortunately.
It's under Read This First before posting.
I took a look at the damper door. I took out my cabin filter and checked there nothing getting stuck. But when I hit recirculation to fresh the damper door does not move.
Something's wrong there because that's the purpose of the door. It should open and close as you cycle between outside and inside air sources.
You would be correct. The hinges for the door seem to be in good condition. I inspected them and don't see a problem anywhere. But for a better look, I would have to disassemble everything and get a better look. Which I really don't want to do since I'm not really an expert in it. I'm thinking it might just be the servo motor itself at this point. But I can't seem to find a video or any instruction on how to replace it. I'm still looking around. If it's a huge job to replace the servo motor. I'll pass on replacing it but if it's something I feel comfortable doing ill do it. I'm still looking into how to replace it. I think you have to remove the dash to get access to it. Which I don't want to do but I think you can access it from the blower motor and disassembling a few pieces there.
Do you by chance have a diagram on aligning the part?
No, I do not. The best diagram I've seen was also from Venza.com (same site Zaza used at Toyota Nation)
I ordered the part 604-962
Dorman website describes this as the "main servo", claims it will fit the 2009 Venza. My question is.. what do they mean by main? Is 'main servo' the same as 're-circulation servo'. It's the only one listed on the site.. Main Position Actuator
I couldn't figure out what the OEM part number is and that's what I found online as the recirculation servo motor.
From Dorman How to choose the right air door actuator for your vehicle Note the warning in the bottom left corner and the verbal caution on ordering.
I'll try my best and stick with what I have for now. Hopefully, this goes well. I called my local auto parts store and they said it was for the recirculation motor so I just ended up ordering that part. The part should come by the end of the week so hopefully, it works.
Sounds good.. I was hoping 'main' meant fresh/interior servo, just couldn't verify
I got the part and I tried to install it today. So I took everything apart and basically, you can remove the first screw with no issues but the 2nd screw all the way in the back is impossible to remove without taking everything apart like the whole dash, etc. I'll just wait the 30 seconds. It's not that big of an issue but I do appreciate all the help. Thanks
Glad to help. Since you know what's causing the delay, yeah, I'd probably just 'live with it' myself. Taking out one's dash is no minor task.
How exactly do I delete this post? I think I made a duplicate by accident. I don't know how to contact a moderator for that I can't seem to find anything under the forum rules, FAQs, or in general anywhere on this website. Or like I don't see the report button anywhere to like delete a duplicate post or anything. I don't know if it is because this is an old post or if I am just not allowed to do it.
I think I made a duplicate by accident
I didn't find any duplicates. Maybe it's gone already. But feel free to post a link.
I think I hit edit and the post is gone now but for future references how do I delete a forum post/thread. I don’t see any options on the website that tell me to delete or edit or anything after a post is made for 24 hours.
right below the post with the other buttons is one for delete. It's there for 10 minutes
I know there's one for a short period of time but what if I wanted to delete something after 10 minutes.
then you should ask a moderator for assistance
Ah, gotcha. Thank you.
Hey, is there a way to contact a moderator privately by chance? I don't see any instructions on how to get in contact with one.
Hey, is there a way to contact a moderator privately by chance? I don't see any instructions on how to get in contact with one.
You bet. Just create a new post and tick the 'Private' box.
Sorry about that. It got turned off for some reason. Please try again.
I think I did it now properly. But thank you for solving it.