No heat only on driver's side

[FarTooMuchhh]

This is a 2010 QX56. I have A/C on both sides, but no heat on the driver's side only. I'm getting full airflow from all vents, including the floor. I've inspected the heater control valve, up along the firewall in the engine and there doesn't seem to be a problem. I watched a YouTube video where a guy took it apart, spun the valve with a screwdriver and his problem was magically fixed. However, I did all kinds of things like that and it persists.
At one time I did have that familiar Nissan/Infiniti ticking underneath the dash, so im pretty sure it must be related. I'm guessing there's a mechanism in there that is no longer turning correctly, since I chose to ignore the ticking sound.
Any thoughts on what else it could be or am I looking at a $1500+ repair bill from a mechanic? There's no chance that I'll attempt to take apart the dash, so I think I already know my answer........Thanks for any advice, though....

 

[marctronixx]

do you have the adequate amount of refrigerant in the system?
are you sure the system is not leaking refrigerant?
did you just purchase the car?
or have you had it for a while and this issue just cropped up?
in the rear, are you getting ice cold air and hell hot heat?

the dash:

turn the FAN SPEED on HIGH. no need to activate the air conditioner.
starting from the top of the vents, open all vents and make sure the MODE switch is set to the top vents.

keep that setting for about 20 seconds
then press the mode switch to move to the face on dash vents. hold there for 20 seconds.

press the MODE switch to the floor. keep that setting for 20 seconds.

as you are doing this, verify the ticking/rats in the dash sound.

this will force air through the system to test for any stuck vent doors...

 

[FarTooMuchhh]

Heat

Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it. However, as I said, my only problem is heat on the driver's side. I'm getting solid airflow through all vents and the A/C blows ice cold from all vents. The heat is 90+ degrees from all vents except the face and feet on the driver's side.
After some research I think it's the driver's side mix door motor or mechanism malfunctioning. I'm guessing the ticking was this thing trying to tell me there was a problem and my strategy of ignoring it failed.
With that said, I don't think I'm qualified enough to get under there to find it, then fix/replace it.

 

[marctronixx]

the ticking is a stuck door inside the hvac airway.

______________________________

 

[FarTooMuchhh]

Answered

It turns out it was the driver's side air blend door (actuator.....whatever). Total for the dealer to fix it (PepBoys wouldn't couldn't do it) is about $1000.

 

[marctronixx]

yeah i don't blame pep boys. have you SEEn the dash removal for this car? its crazy!

 

[FarTooMuchhh]

Yep!

One thing I learned about this experience is that if you pretty much already know the dealer is the only one who can fix something, go straight to the dealer. While they will charge you about $130 just to diagnose the problem, that goes towards your repair bill if you have them do the work (in other words, it's free).

With that said, even if you end up walking away from the dealer owing them $130 and take it to be repaired by PepBoys, another repair shop, or do the work yourself, the dealer won't have a chance to completely rip you off, which would be more than that $130 anyway.

Had I just taken it to the dealer from the get-go, I would have saved the $50 PepBoys charged me to diagnose the problem. Sucks to play games, but it's the auto repair business, sooooo......