Type 2, AC and 105+ degrees doesn't mix.

Hi Folks,

I have a 2014 Tacoma Prerunner I purchased new and this is the second summer I have taken my truck in to the dealer because the AC blows hot air while at idle. This usually happens when the temperature outside reaches 100 or more degrees and I am at a long stoplight, waiting for the kids to get out of practice or in line at the bank. Each time I am told my system is working to factory specs. I find this rather irritating, I am paying an lot of money for a truck that blows hot air like a hair dryer while at idle. I also have read all the other posts on this forum and it seems there is really no consensus other then the AC units in the Tacomas just don't work well. By the way, this is the 4th Toyota truck I have owned and the only one with this issue.

Any thoughts? Anyone else in AZ with a type 2 having the same issues?

Thanks,

 

I haven't had that issue, even when it's 102 degrees outside here in SoCal and I'm idling in a parking lot with the A/C running. Still runs cold.

There once once when I installed a cold air intake, AFE, and had the little ram scoop open at the bottom. My A/C blew hot air when I was sitting and idling in traffic. When I plugged that hole with the provided plug, my A/C worked 100%.

From my experience through with other cars, when your engine temps get up to a certain level, the computer kicks out the A/C compressor to remove the load off the engine so it can cool better.

GL with your search.

 

Do you have it on Max A/C with the recirc button lit? I'm in Chandler and haven't had an issue with mine...Granted its always in a garage, either at home or work.

 

Make sure compressor is running at idle and high Rpms. If it's undercharged it won't work at low if it's overcharged it will cut out at high. If it works with both and you have checked high and low pressures and they are good I would look at expansion valve.

 

hi guys,im a a/c tech and cars a/c units are made to cool only when air is blowing thru the condenser,just like a home a/c that uses a high velocity fan sucking air thru the condenser, when you are setting at a stop in your pickup there is no air being forced thru the radiator ,and relies on just what the fan pulls thru which is not enuf. so it will cool a little but not enuf. if you add a high velocity elec fan it will help a little but if your a/c gets good and cold driving down the road its working correctly. I get hundreds of people every summer with the same complaint.the older cars cooled better at stops because their fans were made to pull a lot more air. the cars that do cool ok at stop are the ones that have dual elec. fans on them.but my 05 Tacoma does the same thing.and my 89 and 91 will freeze you out at stop, because they have fans with the fan clutch removed and the fan clutch adapter/remover installed. so its perfectly normal for these new pickups to blow warmer air at stop. hope this helps some? thanks guys have a great week.

 

I understand what you are saying, but my 07 Tacoma doesn't put out any less when idling. It can easily get 100+ here in GA. In fact it has been 102 or so at times for the last few days. When it gets really hot I've been known to sit in the truck parked for up to 30 minutes running AC while my wife runs into a store. it cools just fine. The 09 Honda Fit we also own is bad about very little AC output when idling. In fact it doesn't cool well in really hot temps even when moving. I suspect a lot of the Honda's problem is because of lots of untinted glass.

AC units need humidity in the air to be more efficient. It can be 100+ here, but 70% humidity is a dry day here. I'm betting the dry air in the desert is at least part of your issue.

 

I lived in Phoenix for 29 years. What you are describing is pretty much normal. All you can do is wait for November!

 

I've seen a thread around here where someone insulated the majority of the ac lines under the hood and solved this problem.

 

I live in AZ 113 at the house yesterday. 2014 taco with trailer tow option has no problem cooling at idle. you might try cleaning the bugs and debris that collect in the condenser and radiator also the thermal fan clutch may be slipping and not locking up fully.

 

Mine seems ok at idle too, OP do you have the tow package/pink fan clutch?

 

1. mine runs cold at idle too, weird ive never heard that before

 

I am not sure what you mean by "type 2" but If it is blowing as hot as a hair dryer at idle it has a problem. To low of idle could be one thing. I have seen when a battery is getting weak and low idle will not supply enough voltage from the alternator to keep the compressor clutch engaged they will blow hot air. Find another dealer or take it to someone to diagnose the problem and then have it fixed under warranty. You could also try this stuff to replace the 134-A. http://www.es-refrigerants.com/prod...ial-r134a-replacement-refrigerant/details.asp
If you go this route use the Industrial R134a Replacement Refrigerant

 

2nd gen taco

 

I just want to say about the envirosafe that's in the link above a few posts, I have been using strictly envirosafe ever since the guy that invented it in his garage started selling it and it is by far the best I have ever used it runs way lower pressure if you have a old worn system it will work like new wont leak as fast if you have a slow leak. it cools better as far as I am concerned. I use it in all my vehicles and all my customers and best thing is you don't have to put it in under vacume in fact it says not to. and it will mix with any Freon that's in the car originally so you don't have to flush the system. I have had very good luck with it and its cheaper than 134. I get it off ebay.

 

some have reported that insulating the bigger low pressure side pipe back to from the firewall back to the compressor makes it much better. I have been tempted to give this a try.

 

I haven't noticed mine blowing hot at idle, but then the hottest I've seen so far this year has been 95* and very humid. But it does put out colder air when moving than parked. I could see this being more of a problem in Phoenix though.

 

I live in southeast colo near the Kansas and Oklahoma lines and it gets hot here around 98-110 almost all summer we have our cooler days of 95 down to 90 or so but not very often but we have 0 percent humidity. and my 05 Tacoma at idle gets warm,so im used to it and try not to set and idle lol.I wana go in my yota!but I do get a lot of complaints anymore when people buy new cars that the a/c don't cool at idle like their older cars did.i think in my opinion we are getting to used to setting indoors all day in a/c buildings and when they get outside they want what they had inside? lol I have worked outside my entire life farming and ranching and mechanicing so a little a/c is way better than none lol. my thoughts.

 

I have lived in AZ for 17 years and this is my second Tacoma, I don't remember my 2002 ever doing this. Here is what I do know and have tried.

1. The compressor seems fine, I can feel and hear it kick on and off at idle.
2. Yes I do keep it on max AC and recycle.
3. I don't have the tow package, just the stock 2.7L.
4. If I bring the RPMs up to about 2k while at idle the air will start to cool down, still not as great as if I was driving in the I-17.
5. I always keep my radiator and condenser clean, learned this trick a long time ago. Generally do this after each oil change.
6. The only thing I have found suspect is the radiator fan never roars like my 2002 Tacoma. But my temperature gauge doesn't fluctuate which would indicated there is sufficient cooling for the engine. The dealer didn't think anything of this and it looks like fan clutches don't fail often.

I don't know, I find it rather frustrating the dealer just keeps saying it tests to factory specs and that is the way it is, my 2012 Yaris will ice me out at idle. They did tell me the next time it happens to take it in and the tech will come out to the parking lot. Next time it happens while I am out running errands I will take it over and report back. Thank you all for the ideas/suggestions and comments, where was Tacomaworld back when I had my 1986 4x4 25 years ago.

 

If the compressor clutch clicks on and off at idle in 100 plus heat that is why there is hot air coming from the vents. It should not cycle at idle in 100 degree plus heat at idle.

 

Been thru a couple battles with Dealers on A/C, 02 tacoma, 06 corolla to be specific. 02 tacoma had a 'bad expansion valve'. But when the work was done there was no problem for the next 6 years until i got rid of it.
06 Corolla, the clutch cycled really often. It turned out to be a low charge. Dealer pitched a b1tch and tried to blame it on an accident causing a leak, but once the charge was correct, no problems for next 5 years...Dealer conceded that the system was not damaged.
I believe that toyota will tend to under charge their systems at the factory. It's also possible there is too much moisture in the system and it needs to be vacuumed out. Either way, unless the dealer puts gauges on, it's impossible to know and they don't want to do this. Every time I've been blown-off all they do is put a thermometer in the vent and call it good.
So my bet is that you have an undercharged system. Unless the refrigerant is low enough to make the compressor run full time [and NOT cycle], the dealer won't make an effort. Other possible is that your fan clutch is bad, but it's easy to check; when the engine is hot and a/c on, shut the engine off while watching the fan; if it 'free wheels' more than a turn or 2 (as it should if you shut it off with engine cold) clutch is bad.