This issue just started happening on my 2016 IS350. When I start the vehicle, the Climate Control unit is unresponsive for the first 1-2 minutes, including the heated and cooled seats. However, the hazard lights button, heated steering wheel and radio works fine. There is nothing displayed on the small screen and the only light on is the "Auto" feature during this time. The unit does not respond to any inputs and you can't toggle between features. After the 1-2 minutes, I guess the climate control unit "reboots" and everything works normally again. Has anyone had this issue before and is there a fix for it?

The unit works perfectly fine, it's just the initial 1-2 minutes during start up where the unit is completely not responsive. And this happens every time the vehicle starts up.

Thanks for your help.

 

I'm not sure if this will help but once I read of a similar issue and that person suggested disconnecting the battery ground, (black wire), and reconnect again after 10 or so minutes. Good luck.

 

Just tried resetting it by pulling the terminals off the battery for 10mins. Problem still persist

 

The symptoms observed could be a shorting relay. I'm no machanic but if there is a relay that supports those components and is failing to complete the circuit would resemble what your seeing as will a shorting ground.

 

While I'm all onboard with disconnecting the battery, chances are in this case it won't help.

First maybe it would help to understand what happens to the HVAC system when you start the vehicle.
On initial startup the HVAC unit goes through a self check where it activates the servo motors.
If everything is ok, the self check is very quick, and likely you've never noticed it.
However, if something is not right, then the HVAC system will not respond unit the self check completes...either by everything being ok, or it times out.

From what you've described it sounds like there is an issue during the self check, and it's taking 1-2 minutes before it times up and gives up on the self check.
The system may seem to be working fine, but there could be a specific function that is not working that you just haven't discovered yet.
For instance, maybe it can't change Mode to the blow on the windshield, but since it's Summer, how many times are you going to use Defrost...likely never.

The system may have codes, but you can only retrieve them with a scan tool...there won't be any warning lights on either.

This condition has happened to some 3IS where an initialization of the servo motors corrected it...this can only be done with the Techstream.

 

I think I might have exaggerated with the 1-2 minutes wait time after starting the engine. I timed it today and it's closer to 30 seconds. Do you think it could be the climate control unit itself? Or should I just take it into a Lexus Dealership and have them scan it? Just frustrating because the car only has 38000kms and it's also out of warranty.

 

30 seconds sounds more in line with the self check timing out.
It is likely not the control unit...it is very likely one of the servo motors.
The first step would be the initialization process and then to monitor it to see if it does it again.

Best suggestion is to have it scanned to see what codes there are, and have the initialization done.
If you take it to the dealer, make sure they write the codes on the workorder.
If they do actually find a part that has completely failed, then you might be into a replacement...but i suggest not focusing on that scenario until you actually have it checked.

 

Just an update on my climate control situation.

Brought the car into the dealership to have it checked out and found out I was still under the 4 year warranty period.

The technician checked the system with toyota techstream and it came back with the following code:
B1455 - Air Outlet Damper FOOT/DEF Control Servo Motor Circuit

He also said the AC amplifier could be faulty and will be replacing that unit as well.

I'm glad everything was covered under warranty, but very disappointed with the reliability especially with only 38,000kms and under 4 years old.

 

The servo motors have been one of the more common things to fail on the IS. Doesn’t seem to be a massive issue overall, but there have been a few people on here to have issues.