Tech Tips - Uneven Car Vent Temps: Heat or A/C Blowing Hot Air on One Side Cold Air On Other

[@BigDog50001]

*Tools and Parts* Disclosure: This channel earns a small commission using some of these links - at no additional cost to you. Scan Tool: amzn.to/32y4ZlG Lang Digital Thermometer: amzn.to/33ReOf4 The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/bigdog50001automotive (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).

[@franciscoayon9470]

My problem is,heat on,hot air on passenger side,cold air on driver side(but when turning circulating mode,hot air comes out of both,single climate,coolant good,both line coming out of the heater core hot,similar temperature,I hear the blend door move,tcold to hot,hot to cold and see thr actuator move too,different modes same thing,cold driver side,hot passenger

[@billyparker2335]

Ive probably watched 20 videos on this issue and nobody explains this more clear and perfectly detailed like you! Thank you a million times over! 👍

[@GreasyWop]

hes the best...ive saved so much money bc of this channel

[@corycreevy3579]

I know this is a long video, but WATCH IT!!!! This guy is very detailed and explains many possible options to what is going on in different situations. Great video!!

[@maureenreilly3979]

Just tried the push the defrost button and the fan on button and held it for 5 seconds like you said in the video and it worked. What a relief. Hopefully it will continue. So glad you put the effort into this video. Thank you very much😊

[@aaronmcdonald4944]

One of the best videos I have ever watched about Systems and THE best I've ever eatch pertaining to the evap box. I was able to understand everything in one video. Thank you so much.

[@kimberlygraham8565]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I'm a visual learner = I need to SEE it as well as hear it!! I LOVE your paper diagrams!!! SOOOO HELPFUL!! SUBSCRIBED & will be deep diving your vids for other issues I am having with my 'new-to-me' 2014 Chrysler 200 Touring. For all the 'rusted junk beater vans' I've held together since loosing my 2008 Expedition EL XLT, this is my favorite car! It is so shiny new and elegant!! 🥲🥰 It has a few quirks that I want to take care of right away!! One is that it is blowing different temps L to R A/C and Heat. The previous owner is a friend who new I needed a car and told me straight up all the issues he knew it had. He mentioned he had to fix this issue before and gave me the info to the garage that did it. The garage has it now & called with their diagnosis: Restriction in the Heater Core. After watching this, it helps confirm that it might be (as I suspected) a blend door as well as (or instead of!) the previous issue happening again. I'll have them check it while they have it! It's too cold to not have heat on all the vents!

[@emmanuelkipchirchir2886]

Kkp

[@jabernathy2595]

Great job explaining the various components of the system. Seeing the pictures as well as the testing procedure really helps me understand the various circuits involved. Learning here in Missouri...thanks for sharing the knowledge. Merry Christmas.

[@BigDog50001]

Merry Christmas, thanks for the comment!

[@45AMT]

I had a nice crash course on this a few years ago. My newly acquired Acura TSX was blowing just cold air (and not changing) on the drivers side. To keep from freezing in winter weather I had to remove the blend motor on that side and manually move the door it to heat. I replaced the motor later and all was good. Great video Dave. Good explanation.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks for the input!

[@Gabby_a.k.a._PuroJohnK]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. I remember that it was very cold out so I turned the knob to hot air and then later when I went to turn the knob to the AC it kept blowing hot air. At first I heard some clicking sound but now nothing. I’m going to replace the blend door actuator see if that fixes the problem on my dodge charger. Thanks again.

[@arnofebrianto2218]

today having this kind of problem on my 2013 Nissan Juke , this video had been a good D.I.Y preference for me , Proficiat ! , greetings from Indonesia ☺

[@dmomid4405]

Very thorough explanation. Thank you!

[@BigDog50001]

@@dmomid4405 👍

[@davidcrane1766]

Hey, Big Dog... FANTASTIC video. You clearly explained this issue and how to diagnose it. Terrific diagrams. I'll subscribe and keep learning from you! Thanks for doing these videos. You're the man!!😎👍

[@BigDog50001]

I appreciate the comment, thank you!

[@gloriagutierrez7814]

So informative, so whether I try to fix myself or when at dealer, I know what is going on.

[@tandyguenther6332]

My battery went dead and we jumped it. After that the car was blowing hot on the passenger side? Never has happened before? Could this be a computer issue that needs a reset?

[@BigDog50001]

Honda Tips A/C Blowing Warm on Left Side: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rV6xiWVsoNN0bpo Be sure to subscribe for more tool and car repair videos! kzbin.info Buy Big Dog50001 T-Shirts, coffee mugs and other gear here! bigdog50001automotive.myspreadshop.com twitter.com/BigDog50001 instagram.com/bigdog50001/ The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/bigdog50001automotive (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Want a free Big Dog50001 sticker? Send an email to [e-mail] requesting a sticker. Sorry, no international addresses or automotive questions.

[@seahwkgrl80]

Came across your channel while looking into issues I recently started having with my 2016 Charger. A/C is not blowing cool air on passenger vents. I must say, I subscribed to your channel less than half way thru' this video. VERY well presented, explained etc... The diagrams help too. I'm going to finish watching this video & check out your other ones regarding coolant. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 I get this figured out lol. Keep up the great work :)

[@jameshammond2738]

Wonderful job explaining everything. Thanks so much. My 2004 Monte Carlo has cool air on the left and nice warm air on the right. This should help. Now to find out where the blend door is. LOL

[@BigDog50001]

👍

[@SteveInterdonato]

A good detailed video but.. From a Non-mechanic who's video I happend to watch had a Cadillac Escalade with the same issue, He searced the internet and found this. Nothing has to be open or removed or unscrewed. Turn A/C temp to the lowst setting let it blow for 5 mins. Then turn A/C to highest (hot) setting let it blow for 5 mins. Set the normal temp you want and it is Fixed. My car hapen to be a Lexus LS and would have needed to pay a dealer evap expert $200+/hr to fix + tax and you never know if he was being honest. But I fixed mine in 10 mins. like the guy with the Escalade did. ;-)

[@brianlee677]

Excellent video well explained I am having the same issue cold from driver side but hot on passenger side on 04 escalade just pulled dash and airbag to install upper actuator not a fun job unfortunately it didn't fix the issue and this AZ heat makes the vehicle unbearable looks like I will have to have a shop scan it.

[@Cardoza0727]

Hey Big Dog I’m a big fan. Always watch your videos when it comes to helping fix my 09 civic. For years my 05 4Runner has had a problem with AC. I’ll charge it with Freon then maybe 2 weeks later it’ll start blowing very warm air on the driver side but ice cold on passenger side till I charge it again and it’ll start blowing cold again. Never had it test for a leak. Should I start there first? TIA

[@thitran483]

It was a wonderful educational instruction. Thank you

[@COMMANDER-ONE]

Geez. You sir,are an excellent teacher! Thanks! I’m fixing my daughters Acura MDX. I can see the driver side blend door moving but it doesn’t get as cold (with a/c on) as the passenger side. After watching this video I believe that it’s a coolant or refrigerant issue. Would you agree?

[@nills666]

I am having same issues but opposite with the temperature on Honda Acct 2005

[@Glenn_123]

Excellant Job Sir! Love your content! Keep up the great work!

[@BigDog50001]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment!

[@ambitiousgirl98]

New subcriber here! Thank you so much for sharing with us this information! Now i know what to look for in my Honda.

[@dailydrivenmedia_]

Thank you for explaining all this and not just testing Freon, I have a WRX 2021 not even 2 and my ac compressor failed, I replaced it and not one vent is blowing cool air and all the others are hot so I’m going to try looking into the dash at the motors to see if things are moving etc. but would you have any idea on what exactly would be wrong? No leaks Freon is at good level, air blows good etc but can’t get it cold, it worked for a week or so really well then just started getting hot, it’s summer so I never turn the heat on but not sure if a door isn’t opening etc like you say the blender doors.

[@OoDARKNIGHToO]

Oh, this was incredibly informative. I wish there were more videos out there like this. Thank you so much. I'm having an issue with cold air on the passenger side and no cold air on the driver side. I do not have dual climate control. My mechanic and I are both a bit dumbfounded on this one. Do you have any suggestions? It's a 2004 Toyota Camry

[@glennweaver5636]

Any updates?

[@OoDARKNIGHToO]

@@glennweaver5636 Well, so it's probably that the little doors are getting stuck on the driver side when I adjust the thermostat. My mechanic is my neighbor and he's been so busy. At the moment, the a/c is working if I don't touch the thermostat but I haven't dove back in yet. I may just try to fix it myself but I'm also worried about begining the work and needing to get to the auto part store for another part or tool 😆

[@anthonygrant2902]

That part should be a recall it's to many owners having that problem. 😮

[@CastBlastCamp]

2010 chevy impala, It doesn't have the clicking noise but the driver side vents are not blowing cold/ responding to temp controls like the passenger side. Replaced driver side actuator hoping to fix the issue. Still having the same issue. Any ideas? Any help is most appreciated!

[@WhoTnT]

Liking dial controls in a vehicle has nothing to do with being old but being rational and sensible. I have no idea who was the idiot that thought that touch controls was a good idea in a vehicle when keeping your eyes on the road while driving is a matter of safety. I hate the touch controls on my Honda Vezel/HRV and just trying to do these tests by myself was a pain because I couldn't see the controls while looking at the blend door actuators. Thanks for the video by the way. Turns out my doors are fine so it's most likely a refrigerant issue since even the cold side isn't that cold either. It's dry/hot season here on my island in the Caribbean so AC is essential lol. I'm also considering bypassing the heater core as well since we never use the heater in our country and I'm pretty sure having a hot core inside the system even if air isn't flowing through it, would be less efficient.

[@wyattoneable]

Hi Dave. I'm glad you posted something so I can say "Merry Christmas". Nice job explaining your thought process and showing us some solid procedures.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks Wyatt! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@pedritoc.c.t.665]

So is there 2 heater cores ? One with ac compressor for hot (reverse valve) and radiator coolant (hot) or never the ac compressor works on the hot

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Very concise and thorough

[@jalenhood4941]

i have a whole different issue. defrost on windshield setting when it’s cool air the air flow is strong but when i turn it to max heat the airflow is a lot lower on the passenger side only. the driver side still has good air flow. i’m not sure why the air flow is reduced on the side when i have the heat on max setting. this also only happens when i have fresh air mode selected to defrost windows. if i use max hear with recirculation mode the passenger side has good air flow.

[@alanreynolds2125]

Thank you, and happy Christmas

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks, same to you!

[@raeielcross2694]

Thanks for your great work 👍👍👍

[@peezy134]

2006 buick lucerne heat works all the way around so does A/C besides the 2 passenger vents that blow warm

[@glennweaver5636]

Appreciate your detail, subscribed :) 2009 honda accord ex-l, dual climate Heat blows just fine, both sides. A/c, BOTH sides are blowing too hot, but passenger is slightly cooler. (Passenger is barely cooler than ambient, but is) ive eliminated: fuse(s), compressor/clutch, and done a guage test, readings below. I want to say ive eliminated blend door, but upon removing it i have busted it up pretty good, im waiting on a newer one to just replace (whoops). But - manually moving the actual slider proved the door itself properly functional (i think). Guages: Static readings showed nearly identical (108 h, 107L). Dynamic readings at first showed 130H, 14L. This lead me to think r134 was off. Added roughly 4 oz and then dynamic read 162H, 21 L. But, i did not get any better results out of vents. I happened to notice a radiator leak, on driver side/near(ish) to the drier. There is roughly .5 inch between radiator and condenser, so hard to know, but i have a suspicion slowly leaking coolant has GUNKED my condenser. I have cleaned it a couple times and it DID slightly inprove/lower temps, but not by much. My current remaining supicions are a clogged condenser. Or Still potentially a r134 issue Is there theory to the radiator leak causing condenser cloggage? I have also not yet done a vacuum test, but my static readings made me look elsewhere ANY help is appreciated!

[@claresmith7227]

Old blend actuator was off door position of new part, and alignment was off causing to manually adjust to fit. How to re- align the wrong door postion or is it self corrected?

[@claresmith7227]

What scan program is used, and is there a cheap scan program that does your same tips?

[@bosbanker3103]

Great job!i learn a lot..i thought it was hard but now it easy for me to understand how ac working on the car..thank a lot men!

[@aracelirodriguez9267]

My 2005 Mercury Mountaineer blows cold air on the dashboard with a clicking sound and hot air on my back vents. I can not figure out what it is. Do you happen to have an idea?

[@slimjones7436]

I changed that actuator on the passenger side and still blows cold air on the drivers side and hot on passenger side would I need to change the drivers side actuator it's a 2012 Chevy impala LT

[@la_som8277]

So if both side blend door are moving and it’s still blow hot on the driver side and cold on the passenger side what’s is the issue??

[@seshachary5580]

very educative. Thank you.regards

[@kellybrettingham7133]

My air con was working fine. Driving along, all of a sudden it just went off. Checked fuses they're fine. Swapped relays, replaced temp sensor had it filled up still no joy, no clutch engaging and no fans coming on. I was told to reset the hvac system on the dash but don't know how

[@3darkeyes]

Great vid, vary informative.

[@grownnotflown2]

Thanks for so much good knowledge! Any idea what would cause brake pedal to sink down one inch when I start my car? This is causing my brakes to be applied. I'm able to lift the pedal manually and the brakes do operate normally but it just sinks back down again (just enough to apply the brakes not to the floor) When I shut the car off and pump the pedal it does re gain pressure and return to normal position.. please help thank you!

[@Cc2-4]

If it’s not the blend door what could it be. I work on the my car myself and have yet to figure it out

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Thanks Merry Christmas to you and yours and everyone who is on this post. I have a question unrelated to hvac system. On the 2004 Honda Element when should I change the timing chain? Thanks

[@BigDog50001]

There is no regular maintenance schedule for replacing timing chains on these Hondas, they typically can last the life of the engine if the engine oil is changed regularly and never gets low (on most of these older Hondas I recommend no more than 5,000 miles between oil changes). Where I see problems is when the oil is neglected or allowed to be low for an extended amount of time. When that is allowed to happen, the chain will "stretch" (get longer due to excessive wear) and start setting cam/crank correlation trouble codes on neglected vehicles. Merry Christmas and thanks for the comment!

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@BigDog50001 great thanks for the response. I change my oil every 3,000 miles

[@gteaze_7584]

I have an acura that blows hot air perfect both sides but the a/c only works on passenger side. Its like the drivers side is stuck in a hot to warm temp. I looked at the blend door & it seemed to be moving fine even took it out and moved the vents manually & i was still getting warm air, i tried adding freon as well but the system said it was full. Any ideas?

[@nills666]

I have Hond 2005 Accord 2.4L with Dual mode. Not to long ago I used Bars head gasket sealer on the system thinking will fix a small leak . Anyways turned out that the Hvac only would give me Cold air on driver side,passenger works when changing temps. I hosed/flushed the heater core believing a core restriction. Now when I use the dual mode only passenger side works. Driver side is always cold. I see passemger blend door actuator move the outer door swivels. Right now is winter in Texas. Any help or thouths would be appreciated!!

[@elbo530]

VERY well done video. Subscribed!

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks and welcome!

[@debraflash6198]

I just had my rav 4 worked on , because it was leaking. It turned out they said form the top on the side of the roof. Not the sun roof. They took off the head liner. After that my air conditioner on the drivers side was no longer cooling. I always had ice cold air. Did they maybe do something to make this happen?

[@benardbell633]

My problem is I have a 2013 ATS Cadillac. I put a battery in there or the mechanic put the battery in there and now my heat air conditioning stuck on defrost blows cold on one side hot on the other side but I can’t cut it all it stays on can’t turn it up can’t turn it down. Nothing works and the mechanic doesn’t know what to doand thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[@Ash_Sharn_vlogs]

Very helpful video

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks 👍!

[@stancalame2771]

Thanks for the diagrams, really helps. I'm working on 2014 Honda CRV and I don't have a scan tool but I'm wondering if I take blend door motor off the door mechanism and move it manually to see what 100% open and close. I'll check my ac to see if the temp difference occurs the same as the heat.

[@vernonvanwinkle9560]

How do I see the driver side door actuator?

[@LauraSmith-i4t]

I have a 2006 Honda Accord V6 has hot air coming out the left cold air coming out the right I could switch the temperature on both sides of the car but only the left sides one hot. The right side is blowing out cold already put. Freon in it is still not fixed. Can someone please help me with this?

[@The_Gabby_Glammy]

My car does not have dual climate control and is blowing cold on the passenger side when the heat is on.

[@michaelamosu9504]

This is the issue my vehicle is doing. How did you fix yours

[@kelvinthiongo2504]

Me too

[@o2good4u]

Same. What's the solution?

[@jibrilmohammed9124]

Same problem 😢 😭

[@Mr4twenty.357]

Mine too

[@tht1guyfromtht1place70]

Need help? my new to me camaro ls v6 2013 is blowing hot on driver side and ice cold on the passenger side. Ive looked up the model using my vin and the vehicle seems to have had a dual temp set up. the problem is i suspect the radio has been replaced with a lower end (cheaper model) headunit with single mode AC. do you think this would cause my issue? and if not have you ever seen a system with bad vent valves separate to the Blend Door?

[@BigDog50001]

I don't know for sure without seeing it but it sounds like there might be a problem with one of the blend door actuators (if indeed it is a dual climate control system). Aftermarket radios are known to cause issues like this.

[@sappireflames0009]

Hi there, I have a 2014 camaro with a bit of an odd issue. my model of Camaro doesn't have duel climate first off, but the driver side vents always blow mildly hot air, while the passenger side is always cold. It doesn't matter how much I fiddle with the controls, it never changes. this leads me to think it is the blend door itself. but again, it isn't duel climate, so I don't see how that could be the issue. I could try to recharge the refrigerant, but I don't see how that would fix the passenger side to become hot. I already checked my coolant, and engine temps are good. So I am thinking it might be a combination of low refrigerant and the blend door being bad. But I would be interested to know your thoughts. Thanks.

[@rogeliovenegas5142]

I have this same issue The thing is on my camaro passenger side is blowing hot and driver side is bloqing cold Did you fix your issue? What did you find?

[@sappireflames0009]

@rogeliovenegas5142 yeah it was the blend door. My issue was that it snapped and fell partially, making one side always hot, and another always cold. It's a super common issue with the camaro. The proper way to fix it would be to remove the entire dash, but that isn't what I did. I just got a hot knife and cut into the dash where the blend door is. It takes around an hour or 2 to complete. Then you just silicone it back together. You can find dedicated videos on the subject. It's tight but doable.

[@slowpickr]

I have a 2008 Acura MDX. New blend door on driver's side. Helped some (used to blow hot). But now I have somewhat cool on driver's side, cooler on passengers side and coolest on the back seat blowers. Really strange. The blend door driver's side is actuating. Thinking then it is most likely low refrigerant? I've had that recharged in the past though so I don't know.

[@glennweaver5636]

Any updates?

[@slowpickr]

@@glennweaver5636 I took it to a shop and they put in half a can of refrigerant which helped. But, the front vents are still not as cool as the ones for the back seats. This is my second MDX and the AC should freeze you out on hot days but this isn’t the case. It’s at least tolerable now with the added refrigerant so I’m living with it.

[@slowpickr]

Another mystery with this system is on humid days it seems to freeze up and the air flow through the vents gets very low. I can turn off the compressor using the dash button and the air flow comes back after a few minutes. Have to cycle the compressor on and off to keep cool. Another annoyance. Someone suggested a dirty cabin air filter but it’s clean.

[@juanvega-ok8qh]

Excellent

[@betod3113]

What TEMP SHOULD I HAVE MY AC ON TO BLOW COLD?? I ACCIDENTALLY MOVED IT IN MY TAHOE

[@noelvillafane7747]

i think is a lincoln but i call daddy Honda #1 on youtube in Honda’s no doubt

[@BigDog50001]

👍

[@whatshisface1390]

PLEASE HELP!! My AC is working fine but the temperature cannot be raised on the passenger side! I can make it cooler but not hotter! Why is that?

[@sokhomnhon1685]

I had ghibli 2014 hot on the passenger

[@ClaymanStudio]

Dose this system break the ac?

[@wonderwalls3565]

why would less coolant cause no heat issue? I thought the heating system is just heat of the engine pushed into the car cabin. So if the coolant is less the engine will heat more and should have more heat.

[@Dki101]

Heat comes from the cars coolant that runs through the heater core in the car. With not enough coolant it won't flow enough to get enough heat to transfer

[@janmay2516]

My 2013 Ford Edge is not heating or defrosting.

[@andrewquintero7590]

Just get to the point!

[@BigDog50001]

Some people's children.....