SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)

stuck actuator?

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Old 01-08-11, 06:58 PM
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SC300_704
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Default stuck actuator?

since i'm not getting any help from the other "Heat Don't Work" thread i guess i'll make my own thread. my heat just stopped working a few days ago and i hate driving in the cold especially in the mornings to work. so far i've checked the fluid level in the radiator which is good, heater hose is hot to the touch but from what i know the valve in the actuator supposed to move up and down every time i turn the temp. *** but i had my bro. watch it while i turn the temp. *** but nothing moves. i tried other vaccum port around the TB and IM but same thing..so i'm guessing maybe the valve is stucked or something else?
Old 01-08-11, 07:16 PM
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RedNeckLex
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I assume you tried plugging the vac line straight into the actuator and bypass the solenoid. This would rule out if the solenoid is shot.
Old 01-08-11, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by RedNeckLex
I assume you tried plugging the vac line straight into the actuator and bypass the solenoid. This would rule out if the solenoid is shot.
yeah i also tried that as well but no heat.
Old 01-08-11, 08:07 PM
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if completely bypassing the solendoid did nothing, I would suspect the vacuum valve-thingy to be leaking too bad to move the water valve.
(are you sure the vacuum line you used is good, and not leaking?)
until you figure out which is broken, you can bypass everything by disconnecting the water valve from the arm, and moving it to the up (open) position. you'll get heat, anyway.
make sure you tie the valve into the "up" position. the couple I have seen feel like it would be able to fall back down (and close, lose heat) at the slightest bump.
Old 01-08-11, 08:11 PM
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RedNeckLex
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Well that's not good!!! Looks like we are in for a pile of snow in the next couple of days! I believe I have heard the whole actuator is a $400/$500 part from Lexus!!!
Old 01-08-11, 08:19 PM
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scviolence
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hit up aliga i bought one from him for 60
Old 01-08-11, 08:20 PM
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screw lexus. send a PM to aliga. he will have one for much less, and it will work.
edit: dangit, too slow... haha!
Old 01-09-11, 06:06 AM
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stockhatch
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Mine is leaking so I need to replace it, but you can try bypassing the valve altogether for now to get heat. That's what I am going to do today.
Old 01-09-11, 08:25 AM
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scviolence
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i bypassed mine and i have heat just fine...if u dont then u have another issue.
Old 01-09-11, 12:56 PM
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ok good news, i got heat again! a lot of you will think i'm stupid for doing this but it's only temporally. what i did was zip tied the valve so it'll always stay open, then when summer comes i'll probably buy a new one or just cut the zip ties off lol...
Old 01-09-11, 01:02 PM
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RedNeckLex
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Nothing wrong with a zip tie to save the day!!! Sadly when I noticed my heat not working like it should and went through what you just did it turns out my heater core is clogged!!!!! If you don't mind me asking where in the 704 are you? I am in Pineville.
Old 01-09-11, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by RedNeckLex
Nothing wrong with a zip tie to save the day!!! Sadly when I noticed my heat not working like it should and went through what you just did it turns out my heater core is clogged!!!!! If you don't mind me asking where in the 704 are you? I am in Pineville.
that's what i was kind of scared of that it might be my heater core but good thing it's not. i'm in Statesville, good to know there's another local SC owner.
Old 01-09-11, 01:55 PM
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Good to hear! I bypassed my valve today and just FYI, without the valve in place, I have hot heat, and can turn it to cold and the blend door allows me to have cold air as well. I dont think I am buying another valve since now the coolant is constantly circulating and therefore cooling the head that much better.
Old 01-09-11, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by stockhatch
Good to hear! I bypassed my valve today and just FYI, without the valve in place, I have hot heat, and can turn it to cold and the blend door allows me to have cold air as well. I dont think I am buying another valve since now the coolant is constantly circulating and therefore cooling the head that much better.
so did you just removed the valve and ran the heater hose straight to the lower hose? if so did you use your old hose or had to get a longer one?
Old 01-09-11, 05:31 PM
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Yeah, I removed the valve assembly totally. The hoses were the perfect length, and I used a pex 3/4" 90 to tie them together


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