ebt

First day of snow, drivers side of windshield never cleared. Passenger side did clear. Does the AC/ Heater Servo Unit direct warm air to both sides of windshield ? or is there something beyond that (a duct?), that could be blocked ? Have watched unit being replaced/repaired on Youtube...and read previous threads. There is no clicking noise, and hot air blows everywhere else......just not where I need it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Wht95scort

Can you feel air coming out of the driver side deff vent? There is a servo motor on the driver side.

ebt

Thanks for the reply!......when it was first happening, I was driving - and no, I didn't really feel anything, but air was blowing like crazy from everywhere else. Yesterday I bought a new cabin filter and coolant from Lexus...hoping for a cheap solution! also vacuumed all vents. I actually took a feather to put over the windshield vents....and even though the passenger side clears I still don't see much air moving on either side. Today is a scheduled oil change, so my mechanic will look at it. Is the drivers side servo under the dash? Thanks again.

Wht95scort

Yes behind and slightly above the cover next to the gas pedal.

ebt

You are great!.....my mechanic doesn't want to explain the problem to me - but in all fairness he wants to send it out to another shop. There is no air coming from the windshield vent, or the floor vents. It blows hot air and cold air like crazy.....but only in your face. My question I guess is.....is this an air outlet damper control?...you know.....it's not a lack of heat, but a lack of direction. My mechanic said it will be in the shop for three days (!?) one to diagnose, one to get parts and one to take dashboard apart and do repair. I am thinking that maybe I should just pay for Lexus to diagnose....and take it from there. From what I can see replacing the servo doesn't look that drastic, but what do I know.
(I am also looking into taping a corrugated hose from the face vent to the windshield! haha....seriously.)
Thanks again!

carguy07

So are you getting air out of the defroster on one side or not at all. This is just sounding like the mode servo on the passenger side that takes about 20 minutes to replace and costs $100. You can diagnose it in about 5 minutes by looking at it to see if it is moving.

ebt

...apparently it is not coming out of the windshield vent at all (or the floor vents)....it was hard for me to tell because it was blowing so hard out of the face vent.
...so, I just took my car to Lexus to let them diagnose it, and it is : air outlet servo motor . mode select not working.
$700.00 to repair.....but it will only take one day, and they'll give me a loaner. 'I'm in Philly.....if anyone knows a better/cheaper place than the dealership. This isn't something I can do myself. Thanks.

carguy07

FN ridiculous! That part is around $100 and takes 1/2 hour to replace. See post # 50 https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...old-air-4.html

ANY mechanic can fix this with a set of screwdrivers. Here is the part: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-OEM-LEXUS-RX300-CLIMATE-CONTROL-AIR-MIX-DAMPER-SERVO-8710648020-/271688219907?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f41e13d03&vxp=mtr

ebt

thanks....I'll look around for another mechanic to replace it.........but just to re-iterate , most of the threads talk about a lack of heat....I have heat, just no correct air flow. Is the damper part of the servo motor ? Sorry for the newbie questions.

carguy07

There are two servos, one is the "air mix servo" that mixes hot and cold air (lack of heat when they fail), the other is a "mode servo" it controls where the air is distributed (only blows out of the vents when it fails). Very common failure on these cars. My mode servo failed just like yours about a year ago. Replaced it in a freezing cold garage in about 30 minutes. All you have to do is remove the glove box (it comes out as one big assembly with it's frame) and you are looking right at the servos. Three screws hold the servo in place. Put it back together and you are back in business. Really no need for a "mechanic" on this one, just a buddy with a garage and very basic tools.

carguy07

Another good thread that shows how the glove box comes out. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...omotors-4.html

ebt

again THANKS! to everyone for all the info....and the clarification, it was the various names for two separate parts that was confusing me. Plus I am grateful for knowing where it is....how it works, etc. The photos were great. Now to find a mechanic. Thanks again.

Ward

I am having this exact same problem. Air only comes out of the vent and does not come out of the defrost or the floor. So is it as easy as replacing the Mode Servo and all is in working order afterwards?