So I have been having troubles with controlling the speed of my heater. Through doing some research, I replaced the Blower motor resistor and nothing has changed (previous one however looked like it has seen better days) now I am thinking that it is my control unit that needs replacing.

on ebay, you can get them for pretty cheap, however I do notice a slight difference between some of them....

Mine comes with an "outside temp" button whereas many do not... (see pics). Do you think this makes a difference?

Tell me what you think!

 

CU with outside temp button

 

bump..

im finding that on the ones on ebay 92-93 models do not have the outside temp button and the 94-96 have the outside temp button?

Anyone help me on this please????

 

I'm no expert in this area but, if the 94-96 models have an outside temperature sensor which the 92-93 models don't, then the wiring connector/s on the back of the A/C units will likely be different. This might make the two versions non-interchangeable with each other.

 

I discovered the same thing 6-8 months ago that you are having now. I have 96 ES 300 and searched eBay for one because only 2 of 4 fan blower speeds worked and buttons didn't illuminate for front-rear defrost/off/outside temp and <Mode>.

I saw some on eBay claiming to fit 91-97, but that's for three generations and I didn't trust it would fit - probably all have different wiring. You will see on eBay that there are some with outside temp and some without. I strongly urge you to get one for your generation as I believe pre 92-96 didn't offer Outside Temp. Don't follow the philosophy "you get what you pay for" and buy one of these things for $99 or $129. I got mine from supermanautoparts for like $34 + freight and it has worked fine. Even the 2 fan speeds that didn't work on my original now do

They are generally not rebuilt or new and in most cases the eBay seller will state "In very good condition, no cracks, scratches" "NOT NEW" or even "product was not tested and we cannot guarantee item will work." For $35-$45 it's worth the risk versus paying Lexus the outrageous price they most likely charge. While it's being replaced it is the perfect time to put in new bulbs since what's there may or may not work for you. Check DIY's here on Club Lexus for info on how to replace bulbs.

Here's a pic of it removed (remember, this is a 96 ES300). In July-August 2008, Part # 8499-60440 SP Bulb was $10.95 & in stock at Toyota (Lexus Parts/Service didn't know where on the car the bulbs went or what they were for). You may find them on eBay much cheaper, but I was happy buying them at Toyota and was confident they'd fit after the guy looked them up in his computer.

Hope this info can help you.

 

Thanks for the info both of you..

When I think about it, if the 94+ has the outside temp the wiring must be the same as mine is a 92 (Canadian model) and it has the outside temp. I am wondering if anyone has a picture of the connection of either models. This will allow me to know for sure..

LW ES300: did you buy one with an outside temp button?

 

Are you sure you have the original A/C unit installed? My ES is a '93 Canadian model and it doesn't have an outside temperature button.

 

>> LW ES300: did you buy one with an outside temp button? <<

Here's what I got on eBay for $34.99 + $7 freight. Absolutely Identical to what was in my 96 ES300. I'll post a pic of the backside for you next to see how many plugs/ports there are. Make sure you get one for your year/make/model. I'm not positive, as Lexucan said, if all years in a generation are actually the same. 92 or 93 or 94 or 95 may or may not have offered oustside temp, but my 96 did.

Do the proper research on eBay and it might take a whle to find your year. Again, DO NOT PAY $90 or over $100 they have been on eBay for $30 or $40.

 

Here's the backside

 

Could be, the engine was swapped on the car and its possible that's what I have been finding out

Frankly I could care less about the outside temp button as its in Fehrenheit (sp?) and I am too lazy to do the math in my head to convert it. I just want to make sure there is going to be no problems if i buy a non outside temp one

LW ES300 : I do not plan on paying lots for this other unit, Im chinese and im cheap lol. Thanks for your pictures, they help a lot! I'm gladd to see people like you on this board.

I'll keep you posted if there is a difference, but I have a good feeling its the same.

 

Fiddy - You're too funny about converting Fahrenheit degrees to Celsius, or not converting it. Here's one on eBay for a 92-93 ES300 for $34.99 + freight, but it ends 10/21/08. It looks like your picture and does not have Outside Temp, maybe this could work?

Glad I could help you a little bit. I've only been coming here about a year, but this place is a bottomless pit of information. A big Thanks to the Creators of Club Lexus, Moderators and anyone else involved in running this website. Great Job!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...mZ250262900682

 

thanks I emailed the guy, shipping to CAN is ridiculous, so I found a different one that was more favorable in total cost to me. I put in an offer, so we will see what happens. I'll be keeping you posted.

Thanks for your help again!

 

Let me know how you did and I hope it works out for you. Remember, you can separate the climate control to change the stock bulbs that light up all the function buttons. Now's the time to do it so you know the bulbs are new.
As I said at another post, the simpest (yet not the cheapest) way to get the bulbs is at Toyota.

Posted 11/12/08:

>> I didn't want to waste time trying to find replacements online so picked up 3 bulbs at Toyota for $10.95 each, this was done Aug. 2008. Part # 8499-60440 SP Bulb.

I know $11 is a lot for a bulb, but by getting 'em at Toyota I knew they'd fit & I wouldn't get frustrated buying them online, wait 7-10 days for the mail and then find out they don't fit.

Do what you want in terms of how much you're willing to spend, but I prefer doing a job once and knowing it will be done right. Again, this is for a 1996 ES300 and possibly is the same for all 92-96...Check with Toyota

Footnote: Lexus did not carry the bulbs or know where to get them Toyota had 'em in stock <<

 

Thanks once again. I ended up purchasing a 94+ model yesterday for less than $30 SHIPPED on ebay. So I will await to see what happens.

As for the bulbs, I plan on changing them but not to the OEM colours... I going to take on the project of changing my cluster and my interior light colours shortly after this week of HELL (midterms, papers and projects) goes by.

I'll keep this post updated.

 

Glad you found one for a reasonable cost. New back light bulbs make it look so much better. See below There are a bunch of different LED colors available on eBay. I got mine for like $14 + freight for 10 LED's 2-3 months ago from warden_jp2002. He is in Hong Kong and mail to New York State in USA was 8 days after I ordered them.

If you do this spend your time reading the DIY's on this site, but they're real easy to follow. It takes only a second or two to put the LED's into the Twist Lock Base and then simply put it into instrument panel. Pay attention to the polarity on the DIY, that is very important.

Here's a night time pic of my recent work. daytime photo to follow. Good luck