hot air blows out driver side vents but only cold air out passenger side vents?

can not get any hot air out of passenger side vents while driver side will fully adjust from hot to cold

My car has 155000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Toyota 4Runner. Your A/C has separate temperature control actuators on the A/C evaporator case and the passenger side one may be stuck in cold position. Replace the actuator and it should fix the problem. If you decide to get this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can diagnose the issue with your AC and help you fix the actuator if necessary.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Due to the design of dual AC systems, low refrigerant is the leading cause of drastic temperature difference from one side of the dash to the other. Even well experienced car mechanics may be surprised to learn that as little as 4 to 8 ounces undercharged of 134A can make such a huge difference.
A car A/C blowing hot air is often the result of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a liquid that circulates through your car`s A/C system, expanding and contracting as it removes heat and humidity from the cabin. None of the other A/C components will function correctly without proper refrigerant levels.
In case only one vent shows the problem, you may be having a problem with a disconnected or leaky duct, a crushed duct flex or a closed damper.
Low Coolant Level

If there isn`t enough coolant in your system, the heater core will blow cold air into your car. Solution: If you confirm that a low coolant level is the source of your problem, you simply need to top off your coolant. You may want to check for leaks as well if you just recently refilled your coolant.

Temperature Settings Adjusted Differently for the Passenger and Driver Side. Sometimes the AC blows cold on one side and hot on the other because the settings are set that way. This can be remedied by adjusting the temp on the cold side or vice versa to the preferred degree.
One of the most common reasons your car AC is blowing hot air is because of a refrigerant issue—specifically, a loss of refrigerant. This loss of refrigerant can occur either due to a leak or because your car`s refrigerant levels are too low.
Uneven heat in your home is typically caused by one or more of three factors: poor airflow in your heating system, inadequate insulation, or air in your home. More specifically, causes include: Restricted airflow between the furnace and vents. Leaky or poorly installed ductwork.
Blocked Vent or Duct

A reasonably simple explanation for poor airflow in a particular area of your house could be that you have a blockage in an air duct near that area. If the problem affects one room, the vent in that room could have some blockage.

If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit`s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system! If that`s the case, your air conditioner will continue to run and blow out warm air, trying to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
“Why is my driver side`s AC not blowing as cold as the passenger side?” The most common reason is that the AC equipment that cools the air is under the dashboard in the center and right side of the vehicle (because the steering column get`s in the way). So, the air to the driver`s side has to go farther.
Blend door actuator malfunction

When your car has a blend door malfunction, it`s common to notice the air blowing from one side of the car is hotter or colder than the other side. If you suspect your Dodge Journey has this problem, you`ll need to have a mechanic diagnose and repair the issue.

the problem is the heater bend doors. this part controls all direction of heat or air. there is one for each side of the car. replacing takes about 30 min.
One of the simplest reasons your AC is only working in certain rooms is vent obstructions. This issue can take three different forms: Closed vents: As you might expect, air can`t blow through a closed vent. Check the settings on your vents to ensure they are not preventing air from being released into your room.
The Filters Are Clogged

Perhaps the most common cause of AC issues is clogged filters. Dirt, pet hair, pollen and dust can clog your filters. When filters get clogged, they begin to restrict the flow of air through your AC. The result is that the AC doesn`t cool your indoor air effectively.

This uneven heating produces global circulation patterns. For example, the abundance of energy reaching the equator produces hot humid air that rises high into the atmosphere. A low pressure area forms at the surface and a region of clouds forms at altitude.
Bleed the Radiators

Sometimes, a heating zone will not work properly because water cannot move through the baseboard radiators. This happens when an air bubble blocks the pipes. To help draw out air, locate the bleeder valves on all the radiators in the affected heating zone.

Here are some of the most common causes of why air doesn`t flow out of your vehicle`s vents: Your air intake is clogged, meaning that air isn`t getting in from the outside at all or isn`t circulating properly. There is a blown fuse in the ventilation system. Electrical issues such as a bad relay.
A fan clogged by dirt, a stuck wheel, broken motor, or a loose fan belt are all common problems that reduce the amount of airflow you feel coming from your vents.
If you have closed your air vents, or your vents are obstructed by furniture or upholstery, proper airflow is being disrupted. This can most certainly cause some rooms in your home to be hotter than others, while placing extra strain on your HVAC system.
Low refrigerant pressure can cause the left side to blow warmer air than the right side, but in no case will low pressure cause the air on one side to be warmer than the outside air. Your problem is that the left side heater is stuck on.
First, check for these common problems: Dirty air filter—A dirty filter restricts airflow, not letting your home get enough cool air. Closed vents—Closed vents in rooms can cause them to be hotter than other rooms. Open windows—Your conditioned air can flow out of open windows, leaving uneven temperatures in your home.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My heater is blowing air through the driver side air vents but is blowing cold air through the passenger side and rear console ven
ANSWER : Hi there:

Climate controlled vehicles have multiple electrical relays that open and close vents to maintain the desired temperature. In some instances, these relays can wear out overtime. However, it’s also common for debris to clog up vents (especially side vents) which may restrict the flow of cool air. The best way to determine why your AC is not working efficiently, it might be best to have a professional mechanic complete a AC inspection; so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.

hot air blows out driver side vents but only cold air out passenger side vents?
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in about your Toyota 4Runner. Your A/C has separate temperature control actuators on the A/C evaporator case and the passenger side one may be stuck in cold position. Replace the actuator and it should fix the problem. If you decide to get this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can diagnose the issue with your AC and help you fix the actuator if necessary.

Hot air only blows out on passenger side and cold air on driver side. What can it be?
ANSWER : The problem may lie behind or under the dash. Causes can range from the heater control cable or motors, not properly moving blend doors, or even a broken or detached blend door. The blend doors vary their position depending on input from the cable or motor (depending on the vehicle). If the motor is shorted or cable broken, the blend doors will not move properly and only send air (hot or cold) based on the position it is stuck in. This can cause varying air temperature at different vent locations.

You may want to take the vehicle to the local dealership, or find a repair shop that specializes in heating and air conditioning.

Hot air mixed with cold blows from air conditioning
ANSWER : Hey there. You will most likely have to have a mechanic bypass the heater coolant lines to have this resolved. Your A/C may not be controlling the air flow inside the evaporator correctly out of the vents and may be the blend door actuator stuck in the heat position. Have the AC system diagnosed first before bypassing the heater.

My air is blowing cold-hot-cold-hot-cold-hot…
ANSWER : It is possible that you have a leak in the AC system. There are pressure switches that will turn off the compressor if the pressure is too high or too low. The low refrigerant level could cause the AC compressor to cycle on and off. If you would like to have this done, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the AC system and make the correct repair.

Air conditioner blows hot air on the left side and cold air on the right side
ANSWER : A common issue across many makes and models with dual AC in the temperature blend door actuator failing and causing drastic temperature differences between the driver and passengers sides. Have the HVAC system inspected by an experienced professional to find the specific cause. A certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the AC and assist with proper repairs.

While driving defroster set to hot blows hot air as it should, while idling it is blowing cold air.
ANSWER : First, the coolant level should be checked to make sure the radiator is full. While the overflow tank may be full, the radiator cap must be taken off to check the level inside the radiator. If you find the level is very low, you have a coolant leak that must be fixed. If coolant levels are normal, an engine thermostat or heater control problem may be what you’re experiencing. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at your lack of heat concern to offer a more personal diagnosis.

When the hot air is turned on, the drivers side blows cold and passenger side blows hot.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. On most imports and some domestic cars, there the AC blend door distributes the air to different vents when the option is selected. This component is controlled by an electric actuator. Sometimes the fuse to the actuator or the component itself is responsible for the condition you’re experiencing. If you’re buying a used vehicle, you might want to contact one of our local mechanics to complete a pre-purchase vehicle inspection.