2004 Tacoma blend door actuator

I am replacing my blend door actuator - 2nd time. I notice the track is hard to move. Does anyone know if this is a separate actuator or just a track with a cable hooked to it? I am not the most mechanically inclined person, it sure was easy to access the blend door actuator. Thanks!

 

Are you talking about the servo in the drivers side foot well that changes the airflow from feet to defrost?

 

The blend door actuator accessed from the passenger side. You can see it above the air vent by your feet. I know what you are talking about - that one controls the modes - feet, front, window, etc. It was easy to remove. It fits in a track that moves the heat and cold doors to blend the air. I only had heat and pulled the actuator from the track and manually set the track so the air is fresh or for the ac. I have one on order. My track is hard to manually move from hot to cold.

 

I bet the cable that operates the heater control valve is tight, the cable runs from the blend door linkage to the heater control valve on the firewall in the engine bay.

 

The cable sounds like that could the cause - just like a bicycle brake cable sticking. That may be over my head. I will ask my garage. Thanks.

 

I checked with a garage I have been using recently and they told me that cable that runs from the blend door actuator (passenger side) through the firewall to the small black box located centered on the engine side of the firewall is not available anymore.

 

I thought I'd hop on this thread as it seems very similar to problems I'm having on my 04 tacoma.

Basically, my ac works reasonably well, so long as I push the ac button. However, if I just turn the air temperature to cold without using the AC button, the air is cooler than if I'm on the hot setting, but it is definitely still quite warm. If I understand correctly, this could be connected with a mechanism that I access on the passenger side (blend door actuator)?

Additionally, I cannot change between separate vents. The far right knob that directs air at my feet, or head, or defrost doesn't do anything, and that is a mechanism I can access from the driver's side?

 

That's your problem... your "garage". This is all very simple and if you are paying someone to work it out and they need your advice? Find a real mechanic or do it yourself.

 

The blend air actuator controls the hot and cold air and is located passenger side behind the middle lower part. You can access it and replace it easy with a stubby screwdriver. I had heat all of the time. The other actuator is by your right calf on the driver side. This controls the air flow from the different vents. I did not have an issue with this component. I replaced the blend air actuator as it was stuck on the heat and I had heat all the time.

 

I replaced mine because every time I switched it from cold to hot. Or whatever. It made a grinding noise. My temperature variation was fine. But grind! Grind! Grind!
Glad it’s fixed

 

Hello! I’m having a similar issue and stumbled upon this forum. Going to start with the blend door actuator but seeing if anyone else had this occur as it might be the knobs behind the dash? Ac works well, but I have to fiddle with knob. I’ve watched underneath while turning the knob, and the arm swings just fine. But I have to push the knob in. If I hold it, it’ll stay in cold but when I release it goes back to hot. Just wondering if anyone had that issue and replacing the actuator fixed it, or if it is something with the dash? TIA
2002 Tacoma

 

replacing with oem or used or aftermarket?

 

After more research, I’m certain it’s the control unit in the dash. Probably going to get that used oem because new is pricy. But the actuator, They have the part (Dorman brand) at advanced for like $80 but I would probably go oem. Whether used or new, idk yet. Would have to shop around.

 

Going through the similar issues on my 2002 and JUST replaced my blend door actuator with aftermarket from RockAuto. OEM toyota blend door actuator is discontinued, OG one i pulled out was made by DENSO (I'll try and upload a pic of the part number on it). The actuator helped but didn't solve my issue. When i first turn the car on hot air comes out of the vents unless i cycle the cold/ hot knob back and forth regardless if the blower motor speed dial is on or off. If I turn on the a/c (or just outside air) same thing, have to cycle the cold/ hot button or i get hot air. if i mess with the vent knob (defrost/ floor/ face) at all it goes back to hot air, unless i cycle the cold/ hot knob. maybe faulty New actuator?!

Last week i went on a trip where i got up to 110F ambient temps and my a/c would not keep up unless i was driving at highway speeds. Checked pressure/ freon with an accurate gauge and it's full. condenser fins are not at all bent/ clogged and the fan clutch as well as the OEM Denso compressor clutch were changed 15k miles ago and both check out fine. while driving i was getting 45-50F out of the vents but idling/ parked it was barely cool. Now that i'm back in 80's temps it works perfectly fine.

not sure if the problems are related but i'm trying to find a way to test the control unit before springing for a used one ($120-150 used off ebay). I don't think the OEM control units are available new anymore.

I'll post up my findings since this is starting to become a common issue for 1st gens.

 

I hadn’t checked yet to see if they’ve been discontinued or not, was waiting for payday ha. Good to know tho, thanks. Idk about related, I don’t have those issues. All works great, was using it all day today. But when I hit a rough bump or just randomly at times, it will switch from blowing cold and start blowing hot. Push in on the knob, or play with it sometimes and it’ll switch back over to cold. Other than that no other issues.