2015 AC/Electrical Issue

Bought the Taco less than a month ago. After about 5k miles, I started experiencing what I originally thought was an AC issue. Hot air was blowing out of the vents but after about 15 or 20 minutes it would kick back in. This occurred for the first time about 3 weeks ago

What made me think it was more than that, was that before the cool air kicked in, there would be a smell like shorted out electrical wires/melted plastic/soldering iron. I brought this up to the dealership and they just kept focusing on the AC unit. Fast forward to two days ago and while driving down the highway the electronics die on me shutting down most everything, but the radio and simple machines like door locks. Odometer dead, gauges all frozen in place, all warning lights blinking or static and on, and rev gauge sort of working.

This is my 4th time in less than a month for a brand new Taco, but they're only counting it as 3 so my lemon laws in Texas don't come into play yet. My question is, has anyone else dealt with this? What do I do? I have worked on tractors and on farms, and while I've had my fair share of electrical issues to fix, I can't figure out what could be doing this besides a live short that nobody seems to able to find when they look at it at the dealership, if they are even looking for the live short.

 

Well - I'd let the dealer play with it and if they can't fix within the lemon law then I'd go for a buy back or swap.

For the indications you list I'd check;
Belt(s) loose /slipping. Alternator Going Bad. Loose Battery cables. Loose battery is shorting to Chassis / Fender. Check Connections all over - Including Starter and Solenoid. Missing Bolts on Motor mounts causing engine to torque and pull on wires. Bad battery. CHECK FOR ERROR CODES

Air may be shutting down due to the engine not running properly enough to power the A/C (Computer shut down A/C due to Poor performance or Low Voltage.

Low voltage from Bad Connections / loose/short can cause the Electrical shut down and Gauges going nuts.


Keep us advised. Good Luck !!

 

Will do. Took it to the dealer night it happened. Driving a Tundra, but I'm trying to see if they'll reimburse my gas given the repair timetable I was given. I drive around 2k miles a month, and in a Tundra that's going to eat into my pocket more than a long term rental would. I could uber to work and back for less money.

Soon as I have an update I'll post here what the issues and fix is or if there even is a fix so that future owners can utilize their lemon laws etc if need be.

 

Good luck. Hope you get it resolved and you do not have anymore issues.

I caught a dealer in the past keeping work tickets open in case the issue was not fixed and I came back for the same problem. They would use the same work ticket from previous repair. I got myself thinking into a conspiracy theory that they were doing that to avoid a lemon law complaint; whereas they can say it was only fixed "once" for the same issue. Not sure if I was right or not but who knows.

 

Sub's. Curious as a 2015 owner as well.

 

White double, 2015, v6, TRD Sport Pack for those wondering. My dealer pulled this move on me which is why they count 3 not 4 for check ups. I was told if they couldn't fix the issue, then I'd have the legal leverage to do whatever I needed to do.

 

^^thats crap. Sorry to hear that.

Good luck. You in DFW area?

 

Update:

I was told they fixed the issue. The Magnetic coupling attached to compression had a plastic clasp that broke. Live wire hit spark plug and shorted system etc. I find this hard to believe given how that part was replaced twice. But cest la vie.

If the malfunction occurs again or issues persist I will respond accordingly and keep thread open.

 

IF I can restate ?? A/C Clutch wire shorted to Plug wire ??

 

Sounds odd since they are not even close to each other...

 

I had the ac issue on my 15 about a month ago, happened exactly like u said. Only did it once and hasn't been back since

 

Sorry for the late update everybody. It's been a hectic few days at work.

They thought that after replacing the part as I stated, it would be fixed. But now the AC is taking almost 7 minutes to cool down the vehicle even with a new compressor and Mag coupling. They've tried replicated the results and have only been able to do it once, but then the warm air comes back. So, they seem to be just dragging this on and on hoping I don't complain to much and they fall ass backwards into a fix.

When I talk to them they seem lost. They think they find the solution and then it's not the solution. I kind of wish they'd just give me a new 2016 that's comparable to my 2015 or an upgrade for the headache and the near catastrophic failure on the highway.

 

Suggest that they check the Ventilation Blend Door Servo.

 

Well I think it comes down to two directions ..... Either the Compressor is not turning on - or - as Jimmyh says - the cold air is getting redirected/heated by the duct system. I'd buy a remote outdoor thermometer/sender receiver and mount the sender to the Compressor cold line and put the receiver/gauge in the cab. Next time it happens you find the best direction to follow for troubleshooting ...

 

Update: Contacted a lemon law lawyer as a precaution to protect myself.

They ordered a new thermistor and it was supposed to be installed last week, but I never heard back from them. I think I got unlucky with my truck. One of my student's father works at the factory here and told me about some Tacos that got sent out with a similar issue but there was an easy fix. He said that if they're still just fiddling around with it to get a lawyer and get the lemon stuff over with.

 

Call the Dealership and speak to the MANAGER (Only). Briefly state the issue and tell him you want a 1 on 1 Meeting with an appointment. Now, Very NICELY, Go see him, Detail the issue. Tell him what you want him to do. IF he refuses garb "his" phone, call corporate and tell HIM to talk to corporate and request a written decision of the direction by Toyota. Take Notes in front of him and ask him to spell his name ....

 

When can I use the Texas Lemon Law?
If you have purchased or leased a new motor vehicle and it develops a defect or condition that substantially impairs the motor vehicle’s use, market value or safety, you may be eligible for relief under the Texas Lemon Law. You are required to allow the manufacturer a reasonable opportunity to repair the defect(s) before you may file a complaint for lemon law relief. There is a $35 filing fee required with the submission of the Lemon Law complaint form. The number of reasonable attempts may vary based upon the defect’s effect on the normal operation of the motor vehicle.

How many “reasonable attempts” to repair a defect is the manufacturer allowed?
One way to show the dealer has had a reasonable number of attempts to fix a defect is to pass the following tests. Mileage requirements in the tests do not apply to travel trailers.

The Four Times Test
You pass this test if you have taken your vehicle to the dealership for repair

• twice for the same problem within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first; and
• twice more during the 12 months or 12,000 miles following the second repair attempt, and
• the problem continues to exist.

The Serious Safety Hazard Test
A serious safety hazard is a life-threatening malfunction that substantially impedes your ability to control or operate the vehicle normally, or that creates a substantial risk of fire or explosion. You pass this test if you have taken your vehicle to the dealership two or more times for the repair of a serious safety hazard

• once during first 12 months or 12,000 miles, and
• once more during the 12 months (or 12,000 miles) following the first repair attempt, and
• the problem continues to exist.

The 30 Day Test
If your new vehicle has been out of service for repair due to a defect that substantially impairs the use or market value of the vehicle due to defects covered by the warranty for a total of 30 or more days during the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, and there were at least two repair attempts during the first 12 months or 12000 miles, and the problem still exists. If no loaner vehicle was provided to you by the dealer during this time period, you pass the test.

It is advisable to contact the Lemon Law Section of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) for more specific information and assistance at (888) 368-4689.

What motor vehicles are eligible?
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes and all terrain vehicles are covered, as well as demonstrator vehicles that develop problems covered by a manufacturer's written warranty. Travel trailers must be titled and registered in Texas to be eligible.

Are used motor vehicles covered?
Your used vehicle may be covered under current state laws. Texas laws related to warranty performance may cover your vehicle if your used vehicle is still covered by the manufacturer's original warranty (not an extended service contract), or if the problem started and was reported to the dealer while under warranty and it continues to exist, repair assistance of the warranty-related problem may be available to you.

 

Update: It's Sunday. I was told Thursday that the truck would be ready this weekend. They said it was all taken apart and the new thermistor was put in and they just needed to test drive it and should be ready. I haven't gotten a call from them, but with all the rain and storms here in Texas maybe some of the guys have had trouble getting out to the dealer. It's not in or around a city, just off the highway and there are low crossing areas near by. If I don't hear from them Monday during the day with a voicemail or something, I'm going to call myself ask what is going on and then contact Toyota USA.