Strange AC problem
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Texas
Strange AC problem
I had the radio replaced by a Kenwood DMX-957XR this past week. When I picked it up, the AC would only blow cold when set to 65 degrees and it would only blow on high when in auto mode. The outside temp was 75. If I changed the setting by as little as one degree, it switched to heat. The installers showed me that there is only three connectors on the back of the AC controls and they were all plugged in. Any idea of what they did wrong?
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
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From: AZ
1) My first thought is they didn't plug in all the connectors well and one is loose. If they showed you all the connectors are plugged in, that is probably not your problem.
2) My second thought is they tied into a data line or cut a data line while doing the install.
3) Just for kicks, I would disconnect your car's battery for 10 minutes and see if that resets your AC computer
2) My second thought is they tied into a data line or cut a data line while doing the install.
3) Just for kicks, I would disconnect your car's battery for 10 minutes and see if that resets your AC computer
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: CA
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Fl
I had the radio replaced by a Kenwood DMX-957XR this past week. When I picked it up, the AC would only blow cold when set to 65 degrees and it would only blow on high when in auto mode. The outside temp was 75. If I changed the setting by as little as one degree, it switched to heat. The installers showed me that there is only three connectors on the back of the AC controls and they were all plugged in. Any idea of what they did wrong?
When in auto, set to 65 and blowing cold, can you reduce the fan speed when you push the fan control?
When you said t switched to heat, did you mean the vents switched to the floor or really hot air came out of the vents?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 10
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From: Texas
I did try disconnecting the battery. That did not work. When in auto, set to 65 and blowing cold, I can reduce the fan speed. When I change the temp setting to 66, it changes the vents to the floor and hot air comes out of the vents. I can change the vent choice using the mode button, but hot air comes out.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
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From: AZ
Do you guys think his car doesn't know what temperature it is in the cabin? It thinks it is 65 and when he goes to 66, it turns on the heater to reach that temp?
Anyone know where the inside temp sensor is?
Anyone know where the inside temp sensor is?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Fl
it’s on the lower dash in front of your right knee…the Third pic is from a ebay pic…not my car.
this was the 2002-2005 configuration.
The tube connects to the HVAC air box and the fan pulls cabin air over the sensor.
if the installers removed this panel, they might of disconnected the plug or when they removed the old radio, they disconnected this plug by mistake.
not saying this is the problem but something to check.
I used a sensor cleaner
Last edited by Bgw70; May 4, 2021 at 06:16 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2020
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From: CA
I was thinking the same thing, that one of the temp sensors got disconnected during the stereo upgrade. When one can only get hot or cold air at the extreme settings, it indicates to me the HVAC system is in some kind of "limp mode."
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
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From: AZ
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