1996 4Runner generates little heat for interior

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sifan

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Oct 21, 2003
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Maryland, USA
Less than 2 months ago I bought a 1996 4Runner Limited with 190K miles on it. Yesterday I drove it the first time on the highway for a 4 hour round trip, and that was when I noticed after 1 hour of highway driving a little warm air began coming out of the vents which never got any hotter later. I have heard that the 3rd generation of 4Runner had issues with interior heat, but I did not realize it could be this bad.

For those of you who has owned the 3rd gen 4Runner, what is your experience with this issue and how to resolve it?

Thanks.
 
Originally Posted by atikovi
What's the temp gauge showing? i.e. is it not putting out heat because the engine isn't warm enough?


Normal operating temperature throughout the entire trip. After 1 hour of driving on highway averaging 60 mph I would think any normal car engine should be warmed up by then.
 
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Check connections from below....my LC of similar vintage has outer pipes for a rear heater...and if rubber hose fails...not only that you loose heating....but you are also loosing fluid from your cooling system!
 
Originally Posted by Kamele0N
Check connections from below....my LC of similar vintage has outer pipes for a rear heater...and if rubber hose fails...not only that you loose heating....but you are also loosing fluid from your cooling system!


Is the rear heater an option on 1996 4Runner Limited? How can you tell if there is a rear heater? I did not see any temperature control for the rear passengers in my 4Runner.
 
Originally Posted by Chris142
Also make sure that the heater valve is opening.


Do you mean when the temperature is set to maximum heat, the mechanism behind the control panel fails to open the heater valve?
 
Dont know for your USA toyota...my LC has one for a rear row of seats...and pipes are on the floor of the cabin...on the outside...
 
Originally Posted by Kamele0N
Dont know for your USA toyota...my LC has one for a rear row of seats...and pipes are on the floor of the cabin...on the outside...


In your case is there a separate temperature control for the rear passengers with the rear heater? I just googled it that a rear heater is not standard on limited model. But, I can't tell if mine has it.

By the way do you have difficulties finding parts for your vintage LC? My 4Runner gives inaccurate fuel gauge reading, and my local garage said Toyota no longer made the replacement parts. I have to refuel every 200-300 miles, so I won't run out of fuel.
 
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Originally Posted by atikovi
Maybe feel the hoses going into and out of the heater at the firewall. One should be about as hot as the radiator hose, the other a little less.


It is freezing cold in our area today. I will try and hope it is not a clogged heater core, which will be expensive if the replacement part is still available.
 
Heater core, or the blend door/control cable. My 1990 (admittedly, earlier generation) never had the heater core fail or plug up, and it's still on the road.

But at one point, the control cables in the dash bound up, from age and wear, and I had to install a new control panel. I had no heat when those cables stuck, because the blend door wouldn't move.

It was a pretty big deal, because, of course it failed in January, in Colorado...
 
Heater cores are known for going bad over time. 190K miles means it's worth checking out. I've never had great luck flushing one out and restoring full performance. But it's easy to do, so why not try. (but first make sure the blend doors are working properly)

Of note, aftermarket heater cores often don't provide as much heat.
 
Originally Posted by sifan

It is freezing cold in our area today. I will try and hope it is not a clogged heater core, which will be expensive if the replacement part is still available.


If needed, can likely get a used core from a scrap yard. Labor is a killer on that repair.
 
Originally Posted by Astro14
Heater core, or the blend door/control cable. My 1990 (admittedly, earlier generation) never had the heater core fail or plug up, and it's still on the road.

But at one point, the control cables in the dash bound up, from age and wear, and I had to install a new control panel. I had no heat when those cables stuck, because the blend door wouldn't move.

It was a pretty big deal, because, of course it failed in January, in Colorado...


Why the whole control panel? Couldn't just replace the cable? I am not sure if Toyota still makes the control panel for my vintage 4Runner.
 
Originally Posted by SeaJay

If needed, can likely get a used core from a scrap yard. Labor is a killer on that repair.


Since labor is expensive, wouldn't it be better to get a new replacement instead of a used one, which might clog up sooner and needs another replacement?
 
Originally Posted by Cujet
(but first make sure the blend doors are working properly)


I slid the temperature control from cold to hot, and I could hear a thud. Does this means the blend door/cable is working?
 
Not sure of earlier Toyota vehicles, but the newer ones have circulation through the heater core anytime the engine is operating and the water pumping is rotating. The blend door does just that, routes ambient air through or around the heater core to achieve desired temperature discharge.
 
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