I have a 2003 with 215K miles on it. Had it since 90K, great truck! Part I: 3-4 years ago the (what I call) air flow control boxes (one under each side driver/pass, control which vents the air flows out of) started making noise. They still worked, but would pretty much make time almost all the time the car was running. Just a clunking, chirping, clicking every few seconds, somewhat rhythmic. Again, everything worked, just made noise. Since I am the only driver, and am alone 95% of the time in the truck, and play the radio , I never worried about it, just called them “my pet squirrels”. I spoke to my “non-dealer-lexus-only” mechanic that I’ve been taking it to since I got it and said the dash would have to come off to fix it, and it was a big price tag so I have lived with it.Part II: Then 18-ish months ago I got the recall notice about the cracked dash and went in to get on “the list” at the dealership (Dec 2015). The cracked dash did bother me much, but I though, great, when they take the dash off for the repair, I’ll pay the dealer whatever their fee is to change the air flow control boxes that that time. What a great and fortunate plan!Part III: I am still waiting to get “my turn” to get the dash fixed, but about a month ago, the air flow control boxes stopped making noise, but now I think they are stuck in one position. Here is the condition that they are now it. I get A/C out the vents on the passenger side, but on the driver’s side, it blows HEAT. I close the vents, but I some still comes through, and I some is coming through the floor vent. After another 85+ degree day in Atlanta, I am motivated to find a solution.QUESTIONS: has anyone ever seen this issue? Is there any way to manually operate these “air flow control boxes” so I can put it in the “A/C flow mode” for the summer?? Any other ideas to keep me a bit cooler?

 

It sounds like the system is low on refrigerant. Go get it checked. This happened to me as well as several other people.

 

Warm air out one side is the common indicator of being low on refrigerant.

But hot air (as in engine coolant hot) would be an indication that an air door servo has failed. Sometimes you get lucky and can reach them by laying down in the floorboard. But probably the dash would have to come apart.

The servos are in the $130-180 range each, and there's four of them.

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19100

Chip H.

 

Thanks kwkshift & chiph9. I don't think it is low refrigerant, because #1. the passenger sides blow cold air, and #2 it is not "warm" outside air, but is "hot" engine air. OK, so now I have a better name for the parts: "servos" and a link (thanks) than my "air flow control boxes".

chiph9: you confirmed my suspicion that the dash might have to come off, hence my waiting until my crack dash recall number comes up. But in the mean time, now that I have the link you sent, I'll see if I can reach them from below and manually close them, so see if I can get some relief from the HOT air blowing on my side. I'll give a report back in a few days after trying it. THANKS!!!!

 

In the meantime, talk to your dealer and say "I want to get this fixed, but the dash has to come off to get to it. I happen to be on the dash replacement list - can I be moved up on it so that both these pieces of work can be done at the same time?

Chip H.

 

OK, you've inspired/motivated me. I'm heading over there now. I need to run an errand close to there anyway . . . and it is only getting hotter in Atlanta! I'll report back.

 

CHIP: You must have the magic touch . . . you're not going to believe this, but they got my dash on Tuesday (along with several others) and had just starting calling people today, but had not called me yet. I got on the list in December 2015. I believe they are telling the truth, because the service manager walked me over to his PC and showed me the Excel spreadsheet, so he could show me where I was on the list, and when he opened it up, then it showed that it was in! So next step is I'll take it in on Monday for them to diagnose what is wrong with the servos/air flow control, and THEN after understanding that, get scheduled to get it all (I hope) fixed. I'll come back and update this post in 10 days or so when it is all done. Thanks again!

 

Glad this worked out for you . Always helps to talk to people.

When you drop the car off, bring a couple dozen donuts for the technicians. You may be surprised to find what can happen if you get on their "best customer" radar.

Chip H.

 

Here is the update: Took my GX470 in to get the dash last week and the 3 servos replaced (there a 4th servo, the fresh/recirc one but it apparently “never” fails). It was good & bad. It took a week (granted Monday was a holiday). But they did voluntarily give me a nice loaner. They really bent me over on the Parts & labor on the servos. Originally wanting about $1,200. I got them down to about $900, which I still believe was way too much. I told them I wanted to pay $180-ish for each servo (they each vary by a few dollars) and 30 mins labor for each . . . should probably be less, as my understanding that when the dash is off, the servos are right there. So in the end I did get down to about $180-ish for each servo (down from about $270-ish each) and they cut their labor rate from $140/hr to $110/hr. But they held fast on 1hr PER SERVO for replacement. When finished, I drove off, and then noticed that the boot for the 4WD stick was not correct, so I had to circle back for them to take apart and fix.All in all, I’ll sum it up like this: #1. I’m happy to have A/C back on my side of the truck. #2. Amazed at Lexus corp that they fixed the dash on an ’03 vehicle, and I am appreciative. #3. Feel like I over paid by $200-300 for the servo repair. #4. And of course, finally thankful for the replies and input of those on this board!!!

 

Glad to hear you're back in business! Man, those prices do reek. I have a servo fluttering from what appears to be the drivers side of the dash and I'm beginning to really dread the thought of doing it myself or paying for it to be done either way lol.. Ugh!

 

yackowski: FYI: What they kept saying is that it would normally be 10 hours of labor to replace those 3 servos (7 hours for dash on/off, and 1 hour each for each servo). So that is why they felt like they were giving me a bargain to do it for 3 hours . . . of course they were already getting paid by Lexus corp to take the dash on/off. Not sure if that helps, but just passing on.