peafarmer

Hi, it is starting to get cold and the weather is reminding me about a draft in my wife's GX470 which seems to be coming from the rear passenger wheel well. The draft is so cold that on a trip last year I had to wear my ski clothing to stay warm. Nobody else would sit there. I like it cold, too.

We bought this car used, so I am wondering if something may have gone wrong that the previous owner hid from us. I checked the weather stripping, and it is fine.

First, is it normal for these cars to be drafty in back? Could there be some insulation in the wheel well area that could have been removed? Is there supposed to be insulation either in the wheel well or in the interior under the trim to prevent this?

Thanks,
Andy

chiph9

Is this in the second row of seats, or the third row? If third row, turn off the rear A/C (switch on the back of the center console). It provides cooling but no heat. Heat to the rear seats come from ducts under the front passenger seats. The third row gets no heat - they just have to wait for it to waft back there.

Chip H.

peafarmer

It is the second row. I am getting heat from under the first row seats, but the draft is much stronger than the heat.

chiph9

Ok, run the A/C system diagnostics. It may be that one of the blend door actuators has gone bad (common on older vehicles) and it isn't directing hot air back there. Do this outside so the solar sensor on the dash sees the sun.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...eed-codes.html

Chip H.

ALAN553

peafarmer

OK, thanks guys. It is a cold, rainy, but still day today (no wind). I ran the diagnostic and got code 21, solar sensor circuit, but don't really believe that is the problem. It is a cloudy day, and the headlights go off when I put the switch in Auto. I would think it would be the same solar sensor for the lights and heating system.

I let the car warm up, and got in back with my bare feet. I cranked the heat up, and my feet were toasty, plenty of warm air coming from under the front seat.

I started checking out the wheel well area where I thought the draft was coming from and noticed that the plastic cover for the seatbelt bolt was gone on the drafty passenger side. The cover is intact on the other side. So, at this point, I believe that the plastic cover around the wheel well area was removed on the passenger side for some reason by the previous owner or his mechanic, and things were not put back correctly, perhaps including insulation or a vapor barrier.

So at this point I am going to try to figure out how to remove that plastic panel without destroying it. I'll start searching for that. If anyone knows a link to directions for that please point me to it.

Thanks,
Andy

chiph9

Code 21 is fine if you don't have strong sunlight.

Sorry, I can't help with removing the B pillar lower trim. I haven't done it on the GX but typically you pull the edges forward (front door opening) and towards the back (rear door opening) simultaneously to "open it up". Hopefully there's enough clearance where you won't have to remove the seat.

Chip H.