unusual "feature" on the climate controls

i found this "feature" a few weeks ago when i took a trip to the colorado river.

what was happening is that the button to recirculate the air kept turing off. i would turn it back to recirculate and at exactly 3 minutes later, the button would turn off. it was starting to piss me off and i thought that something was wrong with the system.

so my wife searched the manual and found out what was happening...
when the outside air temperature changes more than a few degrees within a few minutes, the recirculate button switches off to allow the outside air into the cab. to turn that "feature" off, all you have to do is hold the recirculate button for 2-3 seconds. after you do that, the button stays on until the next time you start the truck. then it will monitor the outside air temperature and switch the button off as it sees fit.

this seems like a strange feature to me. i dont understand why this would be necessary. all i could figure is that its to balance out the humidity from inside and outside the cab to prevent the fogging of the windows.

anyway, if you guys experience your recirculating button shutting off, you will now know whats going on

 

ALSO, when you do the green wire mod that turns the a/c off whenever in defrost, it also reaccuates this feature each time you start the truck.

now, everytime I start my truck the trap door is open, and I have to hit the recirculate button.

 

All years?

 

at least for 2010 anyway.

 

This is one of the most annoying features I've ever had in a vehicle. I am perfectly capable of turning the recirc button on and off depending on whether or not I would like the cabin air recirculated.

Just FYI Toyota, "Done Automatically By Vehicle" =/= Good

 

The feature noted here in this thread was introduced by Toyota in the 2009 models.

So I guess we're the lucky ones.

Here is how it works:

Defroster Control Logic

• Due to the adoption of the defroster control logic, fogging of the windshield is minimized, improving visibility.

• The defroster control logic automatically changes the air inlet mode to the FRESH mode under any ofthe following conditions:

1) The DEF mode or FOOT/DEF mode is selected.
​

2) When the ambient temperature stays below 10°C (50°F) for 3 minutes or more during the RECIRC mode.3) The ignition switch is turned on when the ambient temperature is 10°C (50°F) or less.
​

• Press and hold the FRESH/RECIRC switch for 2 seconds or more to turn off the RECIRC mode while the defroster control logic is operating.

 

Living down here in the land of moisture I like that feature. It recently got cool enough in SW FLA to turn the A/C completely off for a day or two and I was amazed at the windshield fogging up. I didn't realize the inside windshield had so much dirt on it because it never fogs up with the A/C running.

If you want the A/C to stay on Recirculate turn the Temperature knob completely counterclockwise to MAX. Then it won't turn off even if you push the button.

 

I am learning to like it also. I was messing with it the other day when it was down in the 20s here. I overrode the re-circ logic and within a minute the windows began fogging. So now I let everything get nice and toasty inside then use the recirc and cut back on the fan speed and temp. Seems to work well.

HTH

 

Has anybody found out how to permanently disable this annoying "feature" ?

I read on a prius forum that the dealer can (but not necessarily will) reprogram it to a manual mode.

 

This "feature" was/is driving me nuts went to the dealer 2x to have it fixed they did not even know this was a programed feature as described above thanks for letting us know.

 

does anybody have a wiring diagram for the 2009-2010 tacoma? it seems one could bypass the A/C amplifier from the recirc switch to the inlet servo and take the (il)logic out of the circuit.

 

For the 2009+ I don't think anyone has anything comprehensive. I have bits and pieces. If your so inclined you can register and pay for an account at https://techinfo.toyota.com to get access to technical data.

I've done it before. It's great.

 

I took my '10 SR5 4x4 to the dealer with this problem, they didn't know about this either. If there is a way to disable it permanently, someone please post it.

 

$15 bucks for 2 days? I'd rather pay for a hardcopy or a CD that will last forever

 

Toyota is just trying to be like the goobermint and do everything for you.

 

The reason they have this feature us because of the number of complete idiots that exist up here in Canada and the Northern US. Every winter I see people driving around with the inside of their windows completely frosted up because they don't turn off the air recirculation. I've even seen them using ice scrapers on the inside! I guess that they turn it on hoping that the car will warm up faster and then they can't figure out why they can't see out the windows. So I guess that Toyota figures it had better protect us all by including this feature. IMO it's better than having some idiot drive into the side of my truck because s/he couldn't see where s/he is going.

Cheers.

 

The hard copies are very pricey, several hundred dollars. I begged and pleaded for a discount at my sealership of chice, and they would do nothing for me... One good thing about the online version is that it's the latest and greatest info. Always up to date.

But to each his own.

Wow. Ice on the inside!?! Fascinating to know. Thanks

 

I think I have come up with a solution. I need to find a source for the connectors that attach to the climate control panel and the damper. Does anybody have the part numbers for those connectors or know the manufacturer?