ac troubles...

longtime tacoma fan here....this one is pissin' me off though....Need to be clear, I am not mechanically inclined...

4wd 4cylinder access cab - 2005 w/ 105 k miles ( yea, i drive a lot)
2005 Tacoma - 4 cylinder - 4wd
++++++++++++

Last august I replaced my AC compressor w/ OEM part. The mechanic is an excellent, reputable ex Toyota guy...

This spring, the ac was acting up and he determined that the revolution sensor needed to be replaced. Since then, it has failed 2 more times. He has replaced it 3 times now (i've only been charged for the intitial occurence)

After the last occurence, he contacted Toyota and they determiend that the compressor could be causing the problems and they are going to warranty a new one. They won't cover his labor so I offered to do so.

The mechanics concern is that there may be something else causing the AC system to fail. I have zero confidence that this is going to work (fixing it tommorow) and the revolution sensor is going to fail again.

The mechanic told me that if it does fail again, there is a way to bypass the revolution sensor. Or, I start paying him to look into other areas ( electrical system surges etc etc).

Any input as to the road I am on and how to find the end? I am over $2000 into this problem so far and looking for an end....

Thanks for any input..

 

for the input...will print and give to him...He definetly refers to it as the revolution sensor and it's on the bill that way....

 

sounds like he's referring to a compressor or blower motor transducer to me, which will tell the computer wether or not there is current on that particular piece of equipment. For example, if there is some sort of monitor like I am saying on the blower, and it is telling the computer that the blower is not running, then the computer is going to shut the compressor off so it doesn't freeze the evaporator coil.

It sounds like there is a problem with your blower, perhaps that is what caused the compressor to fail in the first place, but you'd have to tell me more about how the air is malfunctioning.

 

Bear with me - as stated, I am not mechanically inclined...

On wednesday, the mechanic installed a new compressor and revolution sensor as planned. When the job was complete, somehow, the compressor wasn't getting power. (at this point, i wish he was typing to make sense - don't fault him for my naiveness)

He told me the he could start searching for power surges or losses, but that could be timely and costly. His short term solution was to hard wire the compressor. It is always 'on' now. He advised that if I wanted, he could add a toggle switch so I could manualy shut it off after warm months to save on mileage.

All seems up and up to me (not thrilled about a toggle when I have to resell it someday). I do notice that in 1st and 2nd gear something under the hood is whining a bit louder than before ( a guess is that it sounds like power steering)
So, that's where I'm at. If you think he hacked it and there is a better solution, by all means fire away. Keep in mind it's me talking, not the mechaninc.

Thanks,

 

How bout taking it to a dealer? Your probably would not be this deep into this mess if you had. Dealers are expensive, but one thing they tend to excel at is troubleshooting.