2011 Tacoma fan speed switch works but very little comes out the vents

Hi, 2011 Tacoma. My fan switch works in all settings, I can hear it blow harder as I adjust but very little makes it into the cabin. From what I can find there are a couple actuators that control it but auto parts stores have been ZERO help. Does anyone know which part I need and equally important where to find it? It may be called a blend door actuator or something like that.I know it's common for the resistor to go out causing it to only work on high but that's not what I'm experiencing. Thanks in advance!

 

Have you checked your cabin air filter? If it’s full of debris that would cause low airflow.

 

Yeah I did, replaced it but it wasn't in bad condition. Same before and after unfortunately.

 

Is it blowing out the proper place (vents, floor, defrost, hot/cold) according to where the control knobs are set?

 

Yeah, as far as I can tell the fan speed switch and mode switch are working right. It's like it's obstructed by something which is why I initially thought air filter and read something about a blend door actuator, there were a couple of them but couldn't find an associated part number assuming that's what it is. Heat & AC do trickle out but at about half the speed of low. Appreciate the replies.

 

Did this happen suddenly or has it gotten worse over time?

If it's switching modes and temperature properly your actuators are likely fine but if you want to check their operation you can easily, see below.

The temperature actuator can be seen by removing the glovebox and floor duct, the duct is a little tricky to get off but pretty easy once you figure it out.


The notch on the actuator shaft should line up with the mark on the actuator body as shown in the picture below.


Recirc door should also be open as shown with the recirc button on.

Closed (Recirc off)


Open (Recirc on)

 

Thanks for that, I'll have to check all of that out tomorrow.

To answer your question, and it might have been helpful to start, I did hear clicking shortly before it went but I do believe it was an abrupt event like maybe a plastic gear snapping possibly.

 

Or possibly a door broke but hopefully not.

 

Ok so I got it apart. Temp, mode, fan, and recirc door all appear to be functional. I see the actuators move as expected. If it's not any of that what else can it be?

 

Which door are you talking about?

 

If I pull the blower resistor but not disconnect it, I can feel the full force of the fan. But little to none comes out the floor vent.

 

Sounds like either a door broke or the evaporator is plugged with dirt/debris, you may be able to see the evaporator by looking through the resistor or blower hole.

 

Ok thanks for all your help. The door you suggest would be the HVAC blend door? I do see it's pricey.

 

You really want to make sure it's a door or evaporator problem, as both require the dash and HVAC housing to be removed to repair.