2010 Lexus RX 350 HVAC Problems - Not ac blend door actuator!

[@HydrawandBidet]

If you got a percentage of the money you have saved viewers, it would be millions! My elderly Mom took her 07 RX350, (which she loves) to a highly recommended Asian specialty shop in Ventura. Driver side vents lukewarm. Right side vents cold. The estimate to replace an actuator they asked her to sign: 658.10. I had some R-134 I had bought 2 yrs ago to recharge a wine cooler, so after seeing your video, I thought, "why not give it a shot, it would cost me nothing". Hooked up the can, started the car and in 2 minutes it was blowing cold in all vents. I was dumbfounded. Total cost: 0.00 & 1/2 can R-134. THANKS!!!!!!!!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Haha I wish! Glad to help

[@DerrellGraham]

I had the same problem with my 2010 Lexus RX 350. So I bought the big can of A/C Pro. It gave me a reading of 17psi., which is low. I charged it to 35psi, and everything is working as it should. I would rather it be in the middle of the green than at the maximum, which is 50psi. Thanks a lot for this video. It saved me a lot of time.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Awesome, glad it helped. I don't typically pay attention to the gauge I just do it until it doesn't take any more in which means it's full. May not be the legit way but that's what works for me.

[@jeffbrown226]

Thanks for the video! Was going to change the blend door but only needed refrigerant. Great instruction for the blend too!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Glad it helped!

[@gerryjimenez6125]

Great video thank you, I have 2012 RX350 exact symptom as yours, I also reasoned that since passenger side is cold, I must have a blend door problem... your video had me check the refrigerant first and yes it was low, I added refrig, and prob fixed! I took automotive course in the 80’s and I remember my old A/C instructor saying just like a Dr. will always check your temperature, pulse, pressure, breathing......all A/C diagnosing/repairs start with hanging and connecting gauges....So true thank you again for making and sharing your video!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Thankfully we don't have to hang R12 gauges anymore!

[@wdtony]

Thank you! Your video helped me out of a jam with my ‘05 RX330. It was low refrigerant just like your issue. I have been chasing my tail with this for weeks. The passenger side was blowing VERY cold like usual. The only explanation I can surmise is that the driver side ventilation rests right on top of the heater core, which might cause this issue to mimic a faulty blend door actuator when refrigerant levels get quite low. Mine needed an entire lb. btw. Big thanks!!!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Awesome, glad you got it figured out!

[@shoegum7362]

What worked for me, passenger side cold driver side warm, even tho the ac fix gauge would read near the yellow ~50+psi you need to go into the car and press the throttle and let the car run at ~1500rpms for a minute and when you come back you'll see it drop to 35-40psi and you can fill in more refrigerant. 40-55psi is in the acceptable range for the low side reading on a ~90 degree day. In the end the issue was not enough refrigerant but because the gauge read full I was hesitant to continually fill it up, when you go to an AC tech they just suck all the refrigerant out, weigh it, then refill it to spec so they know exactly how much is in there based on weight not pressure.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Ya that's a good explanation, I think the only thing missing in the equation is the weight of all the oil that goes in with the freon.

[@rickt2419]

It's likely that the schrader valve coupler stem was just not quite long enough to push further down on the schrader valve core for the r134a refrigerant to be suctioned in to the AC system as its running...

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I thought that as well, but then when the big can reached half-empty, it stopped working. I think it's something to do with pressure inside the can.

[@ericshaw7859]

It’s much easier to add can contents in cooler weather. Do it at night when it’s cooler or in underground parking if you’re in a larger city with access to it. Make sure the vehicle has cooled down completely by being off. Hook up the hose, start the car and proceed. It’s worked much better for me that way.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Thanks, I'll try that next time!

[@neusoof3428]

Always appreciate your videos! My rx350 2011 doesn’t have center air but sides are fine. Do you think if I replace servo like in the video, it will fix it?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Thanks! I would guess it's the coolant level.

[@brankomijatovic9581]

Thank you indeed for this video - I hope it will solve the same exact problem with my Lexus Rx450h. One remark regarding adding freon - I am not sure if you did. The bottle must be upside down, in order to liquid phase of Freon goes down. Once again thank you for these videos - Branko-Germany

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I was following the label, it says to leave it up, and then turn it over every 30 seconds or so to let the oil go in.

[@Ogunmos]

Same problem, same fix. Thanks for validating my assumption

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Cool!

[@YouDontTalkAboutFightClub]

I sincerely appreciate this video. I am in this exact same situation. Thank you for making this video!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kissy-Suzuki]

This just happened to me today. I thought it very strange. Thanks for the vid, gonna try the refrigerant first

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Good luck!

[@jimhightower7286]

Thanks for video. Same problem and I was thinking same as you. After watching video, I added refrigerant and it fixed the problem!

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Awesome, glad it was helpful!

[@lacrosse2932]

Thanks for the video. My 2012 RX350 is having the same issue and the dealer has recharged the system three times now. The charge lasts for a month then the issue reappears. They have added fluorescent dye and they still cannot find the leak. They suspect its coming from under the dash so that's our next step unfortunately...to remove the dash to look for the leak.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

You are correct, I'm sorry that's happened!

[@breakhal]

Great video. I have the exact same problem. You definitely saved me some time and effort.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Glad it helped!

[@traceymoran9457]

omg thank u so much. with my leather seats every year for 3 yrs in winter my side blows warm and passenger side cold. my 3 teen boys hated riding to school. still do. i brought to toyota because my lexus dealer is a far drive for me. they charged me $100 to tell me nothing was wrong. next day my passenger window was shattered from a tiny jab on the inside of the window. I feel it was a tool they used in my car. nobody else was in my car from day before. they wouldn’t fess up so $300 later i just gave up

[@CarolinaCowboys]

That's crazy!

[@themagicmedicine]

2014 GX here. Took to dealer fully expecting one of the 3 blend doors to be bad but all passed diagnostic. Freon was 1 lb low and now it blows cold. Total was $246 including diag.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yeah that sounds about right. Now you're in my boat refilling it every year, I put a link in the description to the stuff to buy.

[@alexjay836]

Great video! I have exactly the same issue, but the opposite thing happens. during this cold weather When I turn on the heater, my driver's side blows warm air(which normal) , but the passenger side is cold and freezing. I took it to someone, and he charged me around $2100 to replace the clogged heater exhaust inside the dashboard. I mean, who's going to fix that and pay that money? Is there a way to tell if my problem is the same as yours(qctuator vs clogged heat cabinet)? How do I tell the difference? Thanks again."

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Your issue sounds like one of the blend door modules because if you have heat then the heater is working, and the module is what blends the air across the vents, the one not working could be just the passenger module. Have you tried going into the AC controls and disabling dual climate control?

[@seandooley1901]

Always check freon levels first

[@aymalb]

Great video! Did you ever figure out what's causing the driver's side vents to be warmer then the passenger side?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

The answer is in the video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2GodWZvjc-sgtksi=b2FuidP78PU9c-pz&t=313

[@Grouperhound]

Didn’t realize changing the actuator was that easy. I did see a video where they tear them open and replace the contaminated grease. My 2010 has been acting up too. I’ve put off trying to add more refrigerant, but think the time has come. I’m also going to change the coolant which it has never had been done.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

If you look at the maintenance schedule, both the transmission fluid and engine coolant aren't designed to be changed which I thought was interesting

[@tpp4007]

Did you ever replace the engine coolant pipe? It was rubber, did you replace it with a metal hose? Those years are known for the rubber to rip and the oil coming out. They made a recall but never notified the owner.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Rubber hoses on newer vehicles last alot longer than they used to, I don't think it's pure rubber but some kind of synthetic rubber now. Mine have all been fine and never leaked.

[@parkerbassett7143]

Have you worked on the blend door actuator on your 2016 RX? Mine has gone out and looking for a video on replacing.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

LOL I do that in this video!

[@gscruggs868]

I have this issue and am looking at a $2100 repair (mostly labor involving the dash). I do not see how Freon level fixed the actuator/blender issue. Why did this work? What’s the connection? I’m having trouble making sense of this.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

The underlying issue in this video was that the system was low on freon so you can easily try that remedy first. But if you're being quoted $2100 that looks more like this issue - kzbin.info/www/bejne/monZqWaGjbiWkNU

[@enricoderojassarson5596]

After removing the old actuator, plug it back it and have someone operate the Heat / Cool control on the dash while you hold the actuator and see if it rotates

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yeah, usually when they die they start clicking real bad, I did several of these on my Honda videos

[@mtutechy10]

I'm having the same issue with my 2011 RX350. I initially suspected a blend door issue, but ruled it out since the driver's side eventually will cool down if given enough time. My suspicion is that there is enough refrigerant to cool the air passing through the passenger side part of the evaporator, but when it gets to the driver's side it's fully saturated with latent heat.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Have you put freon in it yet?

[@mtutechy10]

@@CarolinaCowboys I put half a can of refrigerant in it today and there was an immediate improvement. Passenger and driver's side are cooling the same. It's also cooling the air below 40F which is also a major improvement.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@mtutechy10 awesome!

[@abdulrahmanalwhaibi879]

Thanks Man!! Appreciate your video. I had the same issue literally yesterday with my car. The AC temp on the driver's side only suddenly increased and I was worried about that. Searched on KZbin and found your video. Thanks for sharing it! What drives my crazy is that mine is 2016!! and it shouldn't have any problem with AC for longer period than 4 years. No accidents at all. Not sure where leaking coming from? Any idea?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Mine has been slowly leaking now for probably 5 years and I never bothered to look where the leak is. You could either use a leak tester or look for wet places around the joints. Sometimes it's at the valve too.

[@johnlandpd]

THANK YOU for posting this. I had the exact same problem with my 150k 2011 and I knew, I just KNEW it was the blend door. Can of AC Pro did the trick. It was low, now both sides blow firgid air. I thought the passenger side was blowing cold before but not like now, I guess I got used to it over the last few years. Would love to figure out why this is, some engineer in Japan is probably reading all this laughing his ass off. '

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yeah it seems like a common problem. Unfortunately the fix requires the entire dashboard to be pulled because the leak is on the inside of the firewall. It keeps working though.

[@shihanrehman]

Hi on the premise that Refrigerant does not leak, the fact that you needed to reload Freon probably means that your system has a leak. Won’t the coolness be temporary until it leaks again? Trying to figure out as I have the same issue. I tried adding Freon to my moms rav4 and it only lasted the summer

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yes I've been adding freon every summer since I posted this video. And yet I took it to an HVAC guy and he says there's no leak. So this means that the leak is inside of the dash probably right up against the firewall. I've heard you have to take the entire dash out to fix it. So I'll just keep buying these $30 bottles every summer. :-)

[@shihanrehman]

@@CarolinaCowboys that’s smart even though it’s and environmental hazard lol. my mom paid $1800 to fix the rav4. Moisture buildup and lack of use can erode the coolant pipes Freon is temporary. A Lexus more like $3000. Can you send me a link to the $30 bottles? I saw the same big bottle for $70 at autozone.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@shihanrehman there should be a link in the video description

[@tand9854]

Sorry I have one question, could you enlighten me. If it is the freon gas that is low, why then it’s only one side (driver) that is hot while the other side (passenger) is cool? Shouldn’t it be both sides hot since no more gas anyways?? Mine occured on a

[@CarolinaCowboys]

It's still the most reliable vehicle on the road and these are minor issues that are easily fixed. The air blowing on the windshield is definitely a blend door problem. But the warm AC is low freon, it has something to do with the design of the vents relative to the condenser, my gut says the left vent is the farthest way from the condenser.

[@tand9854]

@@CarolinaCowboys I see. Will using the AC in the meantime (before I fix it) with low freon cause any damage the system? 🤔

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@tand9854 No it won't damage the system, if it gets too low the compressor just won't turn on at all and you'll blow hot air all the time. In the meantime, just close the far left vent off so at least you get some cool air.

[@tand9854]

@@CarolinaCowboys finally may I ask if this issue of driver side hot and passenger side cold affect cars with heating function, for eg cars with heating seats. Or it can also affect cars with basic AC function (single zone and no heating seat)?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@tand9854 the heated seats wouldn’t have anything to do with it, I don’t think single or dual air has anything to do with it either. I think simply the vent farthest away from the condenser is the warmest when the Freon is low

[@wojtekj5913]

Are there only 2 screws? I can't pull out the airmix blend actuator from the passenger side no matter how hard I pull. And what's the part number?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

There's 4 screws, you gotta get to those top ones. Here's the link to the part, i'll put it in the description too - amzn.to/3o6fK4P

[@wojtekj5913]

@@CarolinaCowboys Thanks for the response. I tested the AC airmix blend door units on both the driver and passenger side, individually in dual mode and even without dual mode. I noticed that the units turn all the way down on Low, then up from 66°F to 70°F until reaching the highest notch if I am not mistaken. Afterward, they don't turn at all above 70°F. I am willing to try, but would replacing these most likely solve my "no hot air problem"? Or is the "no hot air problem" related to potentially insufficient refrigerant? My AC puts out very cold air even though its set at 75°F. Even at Max, its freezing.

[@JPRC]

Awesome video, you have part number or link to the blend door actuator?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

In the description!

[@JPRC]

Is the blend door servo you replaces controlling the “mode” on the vent outlets?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

JPRC the one I replaced handles the temperature level

[@sphericalsphere]

Hey thanks for taking the time to make the video! I drive a 2008 GS450h and have the same problem, just with heat. Driverside and dr-mid vent is kinda cold, everything else is nice and warm. I suspected the blend door actuators as well, but after inspecting them - same as you did - they work. I can see gears moving, corresponding to temperature inputs, and changing where the air comes from works fine. Do you have an idea ob what I should do? Maybe flush the heatercore or something?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I put freon in the system and it fixed the problem, turns out it was just low on freon!

[@CIT04PCS13]

sphericalsphere did you ever figure out what the problem was? i have a 2010 rx350 and the passenger side will not blow out hot air

[@shopdoc]

My 2015 Rx350 will not blow hot air on the drivers side?? Did you ever figure out yours?

[@sphericalsphere]

@@CIT04PCS13 sorry I forgot to reply. I did, the heater core was partially clogged. Short answer: replace it. Can be done without removing the dash if you are willing to cut the pipes and reconnect with a hose. Works fine for me, had it for 30000miles now. Explanation: the pipes both go in from the passenger side. The core is rectangular with the long side being horizontal. The collectors are on the long sides. The furthest point - the drivers side- therefore cloggs first. The reason for the no heat on the drivers side but good head on the passenger side is that the hvac system is internally split. There are two temperature actuator flaps with individual actuators as seen in the video. That’s how the individual temperature control works. That way, only the left half of the heater core is connected to the drivers side and only the right half on the passenger side. I hope you can understand my explanation

[@ssfleetwood82]

Hello I have a 2010 rx450h My issue is that when I have the temperature all the way up, the drivers side blows hot as it should & passenger side blows ice cold. I can’t get any heat out of the passenger side. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

That sounds like a stuck blend door actuator which is part of what my video talks about.

[@ssfleetwood82]

Thank you for the response, I’ll tear into it.

[@fabulashlychic4301]

I’m having the exact same problem on my 2010, but it will work fine one day, and not the next. Should I change the actuator or put more Freon in it? Did the Freon fix the problem?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yes, Freon fixed it. I put a link to it in the description

[@youroptimisticloanofficer]

Thank effing god I watched this video before going to the store - they tried to tell me it was the actuator and that it would be expensive to fix blah blah blah. Told them that I just educated the crap outta myself by watching this video a couple minutes prior and the guy lets me buy Freon thinking I'm an idiot... WELL WHOS THE IDIOT NOW! This guy has two thumbs up and some cold AC.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Glad it helped!

[@lexuss10]

Im a Lexus tech , i've seen this problem before. Try adding freeon its probably a little low.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yep that was the problem!

[@713Sherro]

thank you so much i really thought it was something else

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Chris-od1jp]

how much of the second can did you end up using? seemed to reach full very quickly

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Not much, but it was very low. Now when I top-up I may use half of a large can.

[@theresafaye316]

I have the opposite issue with my 2010 Rx350 Lexus. The driver side air vents, floor vents & windshield are blowing extremely cold air. Absolutely no heat at all. I need heat! Will a door blend actuator solve my problem?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yes that is most likely the issue, but the one you'll want to replace is likely next to the glove box

[@theresafaye316]

Carolina Cowboys it blows warm air on the passenger side. So would I need a left main door blend actuator?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yes it sounds exactly like the blend door problem

[@theresafaye316]

Carolina Cowboys we just replaced the blend door actuator & it didn’t give me heat 😭

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@theresafaye316 Make sure you replaced the right one, and make sure you watch it while you change from cold to heat to see it opening and closing the blend door

[@johnanonymous7873]

Dude, you didn't unscrew the safety. It's that little plastic thing in between the gauge and the can itself. You have to unscrew that and then twist the gauge back on. LOL too funny

[@CarolinaCowboys]

If that were the case it would have been very messy when I plugged it into the AC system. My point in the video was that the larger can made a difference when putting in freon.

[@reggycoldros1113]

thank you so much ,save me tons of money

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Awesome, happy to help!

[@olaadali932]

I have the same issue with my Lexus ES350 where the driver side is hot and passenger side is cold when temperature is on high. I changed the Actuator since my mechanic told me to and I still have the same issue. Another mechanic told me that I need to bleed the Heater/AC. Do you think I should bleed it first or put the refrigerant gas in it?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Once I put the refrigerant in, everything was working again

[@djduvi88]

Did you figure out the issue with your es350? I’m having the same issue now

[@DontHateMeHateTV]

Do you have a video for the passenger side air mix servo?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

No because it's still working. :-)

[@slickjonz9404]

My driver’s side A/C is cold, pass and rear blowing hot even when temp is set to LO. Guessing you have the same issue. Did you ever figure it out? I think I’m going to try the can and hope for the best.

[@muhammedal-kindy7480]

Assalamualeikum Allah bless your work and discover fault and fix it thanks brother

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Thank you!

[@alkulabi]

Thanks you help me with my car problem

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Awesome!

[@pecosb5221]

The ambient temperature are related to the A/C???? my car was rear ended bad they repaired but my A/c Is working off and on...

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Pecos B52 yes you don’t want to work on the AC if it’s less than 60 degrees outside

[@southbayengineered6905]

I have an issue with my 2014 Lexus ES300H. no matter what setting I put the AC the car is always blowing cold air. Could this be a blend door actuator issue ??

[@CarolinaCowboys]

that could be a blend door, however what happens when you turn the AC off? Does it turn off?

[@southbayengineered6905]

@@CarolinaCowboys yes the AC turns off no problem. But whenever I try to put the setting on high temps, it’ll always blow cold

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@southbayengineered6905 you might just have either a blown fuse or a bad heater core

[@Wrmk83]

Did you sort out your issue. I have the same problem. My AC just blows cold air

[@jimjones1505]

Bro on my 2010 RX the air is blowing cold but only on high fan? And blows cold takes a while to open that actuator door…so air can come out.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

This sounds like the same problem I had.

[@atiredblue]

Awesome thanks man

[@CarolinaCowboys]

No problem 👍

[@travisevans2549]

My problem on my 2013 Lexus RX 350 ended up being the driver side blend door actuator.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Interesting!

[@laidspipe]

My chevy avalanche does that when I disconnect battery. It fixes itself after i turn my truck on n off a few times

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Mine never does until I put more freon in it

[@ugochukwubaba26]

My AC can not cool but there is gas inside form nigeria

[@CarolinaCowboys]

You might need to drain and fill

[@kee_b]

You have the look of an army officer.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Thanks, my hair has grown out since Covid. :-)

[@Shuttles352]

Damn it im at the dealer now i could have just done this myself 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Did it get fixed?

[@spicydogsoup]

those can refills never work for me. Only last for one season and it is gone. I had to get it fill professionally.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I had that experience until I bought the super tall one, now it works great

[@maxmimum]

I have the same problem with my08 however it worked for 3 months after charging it then again cool on one side

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Ya, I keep charging mine every 6 months or so, if you're having to do it after 3 months you may have a pretty big freon leak.

[@maxmimum]

@@CarolinaCowboys It looks like we have evaporator leak. I can't imagine how to deal with this. I did replaced my Subaru forester evaporator before and it was not fun at all.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

What indicates that it's an evaporator leak? The evaporator is behind the dashboard and would be a nightmare to replace.

[@maxmimum]

Elimination process, I put some dye in the system and tried to locate the leak in the engine bay with no luck.

[@SuperBigballs1000]

Did you put the original part back in?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Ronald Jones yes and I just returned the other part for a refund

[@SuperBigballs1000]

Ok thanks I changed it and it didn't fix my issue either. I have the opposite problem. Driver side blowing heat passe get blowing only cold. Going to try the AC pro next.

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@SuperBigballs1000 Ya put the freon in and it will fix it

[@shopdoc]

What fixed you Lexus Rx heater/cooling problem? My driver side is blowing cold and the passenger side is hot when my heater is on. Mine is a 2015 Rx.

[@Phil-D83]

Maybe Blower motor. Likely just refill refrigerant. Just fixed this

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I've never seen a blower motor go bad.

[@cartofgiant]

Did it fix it

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Yep, going with that larger canister of freon fixed the problem

[@ericcooper3980]

My 2010 Toyota Highlander Limited has the exact opposite problem. I get air conditioning on both sides, but no heat on driver's side. My blend door actuator also works fine. Thoughts anyone?

[@bludragontruck9743]

Did you find the problem?

[@sphericalsphere]

maybe now? 😅

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I'd make sure you're looking at the right blend door

[@uranus1970]

I have a 2008 lexus es 350 and i had this issue when the refrigerant gas level is low.

[@olaadali932]

Was it low on the high side or the low side? And did the refrigerant fix it?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

The low side and adding refrigerant fixed the problem. It seems to hold for about 6 months before needing to add some more.

[@olaadali932]

@@CarolinaCowboys I am having the opposite problem. My ac works perfectly but the heater on the driver vents are a little cold. What do you think might be the issue?

[@CarolinaCowboys]

@@olaadali932 that might actually be a blend door issue then

[@changedahanddlessss]

bravo bravo

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Gracias!

[@spencer82rocks]

Alway buy bigger cans, shop machines are way better cause they have more pressure in , forcing the ac liquid in,

[@CarolinaCowboys]

I wish I could get a bigger can!

[@changedahanddlessss]

lets just cover the whole fucking engine in plastic so people think it runs on magic...

[@CarolinaCowboys]

Maybe it's for sound insulation?

[@JDUBS17]

I call bullshit

[@CarolinaCowboys]

149 other commenters disagree with you