Topic: 2000 4runner a/c prob

[WideOpen]

Hi all, the a/c in my runner has a intermittent problem. First off, its a limited with the auto climate control. When you first turn the a/c on it works great, then after a while of driving it starts blowing warm air.So i turn the a/c off, then back on, and it will work for a while then the process repeats.Sometimes turning it off and on works, sometimes it doesn't. If anybody has had the same problem or an idea of what might be going on, any help would be greatly appreciated! This is the wifes DD and i need to keep her happy so i need to get this fixed! or else..               wife me

[Rocksurfer]

It's not a Toyota but I had a similar problem with my Ranger and took it in several times under warranty. They couldn't seem to fix the problem until some genius remembered in his training that when the truck reaches a certain temp the computer shuts the a/c off to prevent overheating. They replaced a thermostat sensor and that fixed the problem.

[reklund5]

My first guess is it's low on freon and/or there's air in the system.  Look for any obvious signs of freon leakage from the hoses/lines/compressor/rec-dryer/condensor (they'll show up as oily spots with dirt stuck to 'em).  Repair any leaks and then vacuum the system for 30 minutes and recharge.  Then let us know how it works.  I've NEVER seen one of the auto climate control panels go bad- all the AC problems I see are due to incorrect freon levels due to leakage...

Ryan

[WideOpen [OP]]

Thanks for the info ryan, my next step was to hook up the gauges.Thats good to know those climate controls are reliable! I bet those are spendy! I'll do some more troubleshootin' and update!

[WideOpen [OP]]

Well i finally checked the refrigerant charge and it was fine. I found that at idle, when its not cooling, the rpms will raise up but the a/c clutch wont engage. then other times nothing happens. I

think its a a/c relay by the glove box. If i beat on the heater housing under the glovebox the a/c will work again . I just need to open it up and find out which relay has the bad contacts

hopefully this will fix it.

[WideOpen [OP]]

Fixed the problem!   It was the a/c clutch control relay. It doesn't look like a normal relay tho. I only had to pull the glove box off then swap out the relays and 29 bucks later its done and the wife is happy.


Here is the relay installed

[WideOpen [OP]]

Hanging loose, just unplug it remove the lower dust cover and pull it down

[WideOpen [OP]]