3rd Gen Tacoma A/C Noise

As long as it does come down to complete failure of the system a little noise doesn't bother me. I'm older and my hearing ain't the greatest anyhow.

 

Adding mine to the pot. Same noise @15seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5JsSGJCY9g

 

Exact noise I get.... It's driving me CRAZY.

 

Add me to the club. 2021 OR - 1,200 miles. Had the AC on for the first time today since it was warm and humid out. Holy cow this is annoying. Sorted through most of the end of this thread and seems like no real fix? In the description of one of the youtube videos of it, the guy says "Someone on Tacomaworld may be on to something. The issue could be the AC compressor clutch is rubbing. His was replaced with a new one and shim was installed to keep it from rubbing"

 

Seems like a lot of users are pointing to AC compressor.
I've had a few PM's about AC cooling system oil being low and that the shop needs to add oil in 50ml increments which could take a day or 2 since the AC system needs to have a full diagnostic run...
But I've also had others state it's the AC Expansion valve.

When I get some time to bring my truck to the dealer I'll mention all of these suggestions and see if they have any ideas. I'm on the fence if I should have it 'fixed' depending on how invasive it would be, like if they have to take apart the whole dash to get to the expansion valve for example. It's all speculation now until I can get a Toyota tech to look at it and even confirm there's an issue.

If anyone else has their truck fixed already and have a service order with details and part numbers, it would be greatly appreciated if they could post it (redacting personal info). Or if anyone knows of a TSB # for this.

 

That nose I hear in the videos - does it change volume/pitch with the RPMs - or stay constant ??

 

Constant, no pitch change with rpm change, sometimes the volume is lower than other times but volume is also not tied to rpm either.

The sound stays on for about 2 seconds then goes away after the truck shifts to the next gear.

I've been talking to a my friend that’s Toyota tech at the local dealer and this is the summary of what he’s pretty sure is the problem.

“What’s happening is the expansion valve opens and closes based on the demand for refrigerant in the system and when you change temperatures so it’s constantly Opening and closing. It’s either a faulty part or yes a lack of lubrications from the factory.”

I’m in the process of scheduling an appointment so I can see if the adding oil to the AC system works.

 

I Don't know why the expansion valve would be affected by a shift change - unless it's RPM related?? Per the Noises I hear in the Vids, I'd say it's shaft/clutch related . ?? JMO

 

Thing is the noise doesn’t happen if you’re not running the AC / immediately goes away if you shut the AC off when it’s happening (if you’re quick enough to catch it). idk how that would be happening from a transmission issue?

 

Correct ... the Clutch has to be engaged. Clutch off, No noise. Clutch is basically "Singing" due to vibration/slop and or mag clutch magnetic field is causing the clutch to chatter as it cuts though the electrical /magnetic field of the energized clutch magnet. Shut it off, or when it disengages during normal cycling or change speed quick (i.e. shift change) and the chatter noise changes / ceases. Possibly clutch needs to be shimmed, contact surfaces need changing ( material and or surface finish), etc. That sound I hear in the vids is just too loud to be a fluid noise .. again JMO.

 

Unfortunately my new 2021 Trd Pro (1000 miles) start making the whistle noise ‍ When AC is on only. After reading this thread I can believe Toyota hasn’t fixed this issue since 2018 . I am going tomorrow to drop off my truck to the dealer . Is to soon to been dealing with this issue.

 

What is the other associated items?

 

How many others have tried spacing the compressor with a shim? Seems like an easy place to start.

 

Read through this thread last year when my AC started making sucking/breathing sounds when the compressor would kick on. Freon recharge knocked if off for about 6 months. It just started happening again, brought it back to my guy who put the leak dye in on the last recharge. Bad news boys, the evaporator core is leaking and I'm looking at about $2k to replace it.

 

this is happening to lots of us with brand new trucks right off the lot, though. Highly doubt evap core leak is the only/primary cause of the noise.

sorry to hear about yours and your cost.

I’m taking mine into the shop tomorrow to mess with it a bit.

 

!!!SOLVED!!!

Everyone with the noise, use gap gauges to test your compressor clutch gap. Mine was out of spec on the too-small side. Took off the clutch and shimmed it out with another washer. PERFECT now. NO NOISE!

 

Awesome. What is spec/tolerance for the gap?

 

There is a full page of detail in Techstream about the gap thresholds, which are 0.3mm - 0.6mm. FYI, mine was at 0.22mm. I would venture that most people with issues have the gap too small and need to shim it out.

 

Did you do this yourself or did you take it into Toyota for a warranty repair? I figure all of our trucks are still in warranty since this is happening on 19-21’s.

 

2017 here, been like this since new. Now at close to 50,000 miles, it still does it but very seldom now unlike when it was new. Ac still blows ice cold so I don't want the dealer to mess with it.