2012 300S Front Defrost Almost Always On
 

Hello and thank you for looking at the post! Apologies if this is a repeat post, I tried my best to search for the issue, saw some related things for other models and years, but would like to be sure before I start trying to fix something. I am also really bad with terminology, so please bear with me :(

So I noticed this problem the other day where if I remote start my car only the top (defrost) vents will work, and never heat up. It doesn't matter what climate control functions I use, air will only blow from those vents. I am pretty sure the climate controls would have been set for the vents facing me and the floor vents at the time I shut off my car prior, but when I remote start and get in the car all controls are locked to these vents, even when something else is selected.

Sometimes I can shut off the engine, open and close the door, then start the car manually for the proper vents (and heat) to start working though. Last time this happened I could not. Eventually, as I drove (maybe a mile), something kicked in and air went to the proper vents and heat came on. I don't think I remote started on this occasion, but sometimes I am not aware if I hit it on the way out of the house or not.

What could be the cause of this, and what could be the fix I need to make? I see things posted about actuators when searching (result was for a different make and year). I had to change one of them once when there was a lot of clicking happening, there is no clicking or any other sounds happening now. Any suggestions? Hopefully I provided enough information for anyone else who had a similar issue. Thanks in advance!!

Small update:
Remote start does not matter, nor does the mode it is left in when the car is shut off. Occasionally, but not every time, the car is stuck pumping cool air out of the defrost vents only. When stuck in defrost only, if I am driving long enough it will eventually switch over to work as normal, with proper heating.

Still trying to do some research to see what I can try, but finding nothing conclusive for the 2012 300S. If anyone knows of a video or fix, please let me know. I would really be grateful!