Heater options

Good afternoon gents,

I have a quick question. My 2001 v6 Tacoma’s heater doesn’t work. Oddly enough when I turn the dial to the window defroster the AC kicks on but the light on the button isn’t on..

I’m not in a position to pay for the fix. Are there any portable heaters that can do the job and plug into the outlets? I see a few on Amazon but I can tell The reviews are bots and misleading.
Any advice?
Thank you!

 

It sounds likely to be an issue with the blend door mechanism. Do a search here - there are plenty of threads on the topic.

 

This thing? Oddly enough earlier in the Summer I took it out and messed around with it because it was making a noise when the AC was on. I just moved it around a bit, examined it, put it back and it solved the issue lol. Does this also control heat??

 

AC is supposed to run with defrost on and the light doesn't come on.
Check the heater valve on firewall in engine compartment

 

That's the actuator- there should be a cable that goes to the engine compartment to the "water valve"

 

Thank you for the responses guys.

Too be frank I hate working on my cars and will not try to fix this myself. I’m looking for a substitute - portable heaters or something that are cheap

if anyone had any experience with those and could make a referral that’s be great !

thank you

 

... you might be able to just walk out to your truck and manually slide that valve to the heater position, and it would work. I don't know what's cheaper than that.

 

Oh! I didn’t know you meant that. Are you talking about moving this white lever over to the opposite position? I could do that - I have before.
Sorry I got confused with the photo of the line in the back of the engine bay.

 

Nope- this:


Several folks here just move that valve manually once their actuator breaks.

 

Got it! I’m going to give it a try and report back tomorrow. Thank you and I’ll let you know!

 

I just went outside this morning and tried it - IT WORKED. Hell yeah!

I tried it with the truck off the the knob set to cold and it didn’t move. I turned the truck on, knob to hot, and moved the valve. This is great! All I have to do is move it back to cold when the winter is over.

Thank you very much! This is fantastic

 

not sure which motor controls that as I think the blend motor is for the interior, but it may be worth to replace if it's not functioning