HVAC delayed start and default to defrost/feet?

2014 TOYOTA CAMRY
176,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DEREK EMERSON
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  • 2 POSTS
My wife’s car listed above is an LE model. The HVAC system started having a delayed start after turning on the vehicle taking 30-60 seconds before turning on. Once the A/C is on, it defaults to defrost and always blows on the feet. I’m able to change the air a bit to blow on the face but no matter the setting it always blows on the feet. I checked the blend door actuator located next to the blower motor under the glove box but that one controls the temperature and worked properly. I believe the mode door actuator that controls the air direction may be failing but I’m not sure how to find it. I also noticed a buzzing/clicking noise that changes speed when I change the fan speed. I took 2 videos showing how long the delay is and the second shorter video shows the clicking noise.
May 20, 2025 at 7:31 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,224 POSTS
I don't see the videos can you please reload them? It sounds like the HVAC controller, or the mode blend door actuator is bad, we should do a CAN scan which will tell us for use, here is a video to help:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Here is the location of the mode actuator in case you want to try and swap it out. When these go bad, they make a clicking noise FYI. You may need to track the ticking down to find the problem. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.




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May 22, 2025 at 3:32 AM
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DEREK EMERSON
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I had a CAN scan done and found that the HVAC amplifier was bad as well as the mode door actuator.at first I only replaced the amplifier but it still was having the delayed start. I got both the amplifier and the mode door actuator replaced and the ac starts right away now and works properly. Thank you for the diagram, it was a big help!
Jul 6, 2025 at 4:04 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,224 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime!
Jul 7, 2025 at 3:01 AM
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