AC taking a while to get cold

Anyone else have an issue with driving around with the AC off and then turning it on and it taking 10 minutes to cool down? Is this normal, any suggestions?
Thanks

 

I would first check if the refrigerant is low/

 

Thanks, will do. I just think its weird that if I hope in the truck and blast the AC from the get go its ice cold. Then if I drive around with it off and then turn it on, it will blow hot air for 10mins before the air even starts to cool

 

I agree with epa4wd, but based on this description of the problem, you may have a bad temperature control actuator. I would still check the refrigerant first. Your truck is an 06 and I've had several 5 year old vehicles need an AC recharge.

Here's an ac problem chart for Tacomas. Maybe it will help.

http://www.customtacos.com/tech/files/05FSM/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/046001.pdf

 

Do you have an evaporator (usually in front of the radiator or just in back) that has a sight glass? If you do then you should not see bubbles or cloudy streaks after 1 minute or so operation of the compressor. If you see that then you may be low on coolant. If you are back east right now and hitting 100 degree temps then you should only expect 60 degree air out of the vents. It is fair to expect the cabin to be about 20 degrees less then outside. If it cools anymore than that it will freeze up water on the coils, especially with humid air. An A/C does 2 things. 1) removes humidity and 2) cools. If your air is very humid you will not get it as cold.

BTW you didn't say if you were idling or moving? At road speeds the air runs through the condenser coils faster which increases efficiency. Also the compressor is moving faster which increases the amount and pressure of the coolant moving through the expansion orifice.

 

Most likely you are low on R134-A. You should have your system serviced by a qualified technician. There are many things that could cause your problem besides a low charge, from a bad fan clutch to a sticking expansion valve. Proper diagnosis is the key to fixing a problem with your A/C system.

The evaporator is in the cab behind the dash. I think you are referring to the reciever dryer which is next to the condensor which is in front of the radiator, that has the sight glass on it. Coolant should be in the radiator and R134-A refrigerant is the A/C system. A properly operating A/C system should blow between 42F and 54F at normal driving speeds (even if it's 100F outside). And humidity actually helps A/C systems operate better. And the OP should understand this, humidity makes swamp coolers operate poorly that's why some people's houses have both A/C and swamp so that during monsoon season you can turn on the A/C since the swamp cooler won't do crap. Not trying to be a pain, but just don't want the OP to get confused with incorrect information. Here's a basic diagram of an A/C system. The accumulator is the same thing as a reciever/dryer and the orifice tube is simalr to an expansion valve.



BTW I am an ASE certified HVAC technician.