AC Blowing Warm, Temperature Controller Issue? 2000 Tacoma

Hey all! I am having AC issues. Can't get my 2000 Tacoma to blow cold.

I just took it into a shop and they said that it is the Temperature Controller (the climate controller in the dash). This is the dial style that you twist. They said the refrigerant levels are correct and compressor is working.

The selector knob for hot/cold is sticky, but I can move it from side to side. When I look where the cable routes under the dash on the passenger side above your feet, I can see that the cable is pushing the dial the full range on the plastic track.

On the firewall in the engine bay the coolant selector also appears to be moving the full range.

My questions is, could it just be an electrical issue with the controller in the dash as they suggest, or is this a fully mechanical system and its something else?

I had recharged my system and it blew cold for a few months. Then stopped. I recharged it again (this time accidentally with a refrigerant that had a stop leak) and it blew cold for a week before getting warm. Im wondering if the stop leak could have clogged up the system even if the compressor still kicks on and off? The compressor sounds a little labored to me.

Any Ideas?

Thanks!

 

lot of this going around in 1st gens. got 6 threads on it right now.

1st: the quick/cheap thing to check is the damper door controller going bad. everybody syas look there 1st & its fairly cheap at rockauto.

2nd thing is the control unit itself. several of us have had the exact same symptoms with it. hot/cold/switching all at the same time. if you reach over & flick it between the knobs it would go right back to cold, until a bump. this part is about $150 on fleabay & the link is in my thread.

3rd thing is the expansion vlave under the dash inside the housing. thats a PITA but doesnt cost much.

mine ended up being #2 & its worked perfectly ever since changing that.

 

Thanks sdk1968!