2008 Tacoma: Mix Door replaced - Now Hot is Cold, Cold is Hot?!

Hi All!

I have a 2008 V6 Prerunner SR5 that's been a great truck and has had very little problems. But last week, when turning the Temperature control knob to Heat, it started clicking just before you turned it to the maximum setting. I looked under the glove box and could feel the clicking coming from the very bottom actuator. I believe this is the Mix blend actuator that is responsible for Hot/Cold air? It seemed like an easy repair, except for twisting into tight positions, so I ordered a replacement and swapped it out. I was careful to document the removal process, and I read that you should turn the mix door's lever manually to verify the Heat position, and then make sure the Heat control knob is at the max position before placing the actuator into position. It uses a small nub on the door lever that slides into a channel on the cam lever. It went into position pretty easy and I bolted it down and re-connected it.

Seems that would be the end, but instead, when I turn the Temp control knob to Cold, I get Hot air, and vice-versa. I've watched the actuator moving the cam and door, and it seems to move correctly and with full motion. I pulled it back apart and manually inserted the cam and when moved manually, looks the same as when the actuator moves it? All other functions, A/C, Recir, fan speeds and all fan ducts (top, bottom) work fine. Another reset procedure involved pulling the A/C fuse for 30 secs, then ignition on for 40 secs before using controls, but no luck.The 2008 Tacoma was pretty dumb as far as electronics, so it wouldn't seem there's an elaborate reset process, but I'm not sure.

So, I'm probably doing something really dumb! But, I'm not sure what it is. I re-examined the cam and actuator placement, and it doesn't seem to go any other way. I searched the forums here and cannot find anything related to my exact issue. Is there another reset procedure?

Thanks in advance to anyone with any suggestions!

 

Sounds like you have the wrong part, 05-08 and 09-15 temp actuators are different in that the hot/cold control voltage is inverted.

 

That makes perfect sense because if it moved the other way, it would work. I appreciate your help. Would you, or anyone, know the correct part number? What I got was a Dorman 604-343 which is what my parts dealer recommended. I didn't want the Dorman product, due to reviews here, but it was the only one available at the time.

Thanks again!

 

I think you have to use the part number off the old actuator, I seem to recall someone else running into this problem because even Toyota says the same actuator fits 05-15 models but it doesn't. I can't find the thread though.

 

Thanks for checking. I've got a tech support call into Dorman, hopefully they'll respond with a solution. I also have the original part, in case I need to use that part #. Whatever solution I find, I'll post it here should anyone else run into the same problem.

 

Yea I'm not sure what the deal is, I wish I could find the other thread discussing this exact issue. I can't remember what the outcome was.

 

^^^^^This^^^^^
You're not doing/didn't do anything dumb. It's likely either the wrong part or defective.

 

Ha-ha, thanks!

 

Mystery solved: I was given a part for a Toyota SUV that had an actuator on both sides, and got the driver's side which worked in the opposite direction. Not too long after the original post, I purchased one from a dealer who explained what happened.
(sorry for the late response, hopefully someone will benefit from this if it happens to them)

 

Thanks for the update!