Auto Temp Control Sensors...Help Needed-

[reidcc]

Greeting fellow Solara folks-

Back a yr or so ago- I bought my 2000 SLE and found I had a heater control or sensor issue. Well I made it through last spring and this winter- but have renewed vigor to actually do something about it. This is for the Solara with LCD heat/Ac panel- I am not sure if there are sensors for the knob type.

My heat thows huge heat, but only when the display says "HOT" after the car has run for 20 minutes. Initially(after the 5 or 10 minute warm-up) it throws heat when reading 74 or 75 or whatever. It seems like once one of the sensors triggers a temp is met- it triggers the system to throw cool air all the way up to 82. At 82 through 85- it is a bit warmwer, but at HOT- it really throws heat!

So that rules out a thermostat problem or a heater core problem or anything to do with under the hood. Even whne system is not set to AUTO- I understand that the sensors trigger anyway and take over the ssytem. I also understand there are two sensors(3 if you count under the hood air temp) and one of these is on LEFT TOP side of dash- the little dome, and the other is just to the right of your right knee(there is a grille molded into panel).

I have tried to pry out the left top side unit- but it will NOT come out. I have looked under the dash panel for the sensor by our right knees, but do not see anything that looks like a sensor. There is a bunch of wiring- but all seem to have connectors that go somewhere.

I can also find references to these in the TOYO parts catalogue- and also in references to how the system works, but no actual pictures of parts or even exactly what they look like and how to remove. What versions of service mauals I have seen- do not get into the Auto Temp Control function at all, only the Manual knob type control.

My thought process was to replace one of these or both of these from a wreck first- if I can find one local. I do see they are not REAL expensive from an internet TOYO dealer,

Has anyone had to change either of these before? Any REAL pictures of what the lower dash sensor looks like?

Thanks
Chris