Introduction and question

Hello all. I’m new to the community and wanted to introduce myself. I drive a white 2011 Tacoma (so 2nd gen) and I love it. I do however have an issue that some of you might have had. It’s an AC issue. I turn on the ignition and it does or doesn’t come on. I know the compressor is good because I did the window check at a good speed and felt cold air barely coming out of the vent. This started about two months ago when all of a sudden it didn’t come on. About 3 stops later it was on again for about a month. Last month it did it twice. And this month it’s happened about 4 times. So it’s definitely getting worse. Any ideas or DIY’ers out there who might advise possibilities? Thanks.

 

So your saying it doesn't blow any air at times?

 

Correct. I was told by a mechanic that there’s a shortcut to check whether or not the compressor is bad. At about 40mph or higher barely crack the drivers side window and the rear passenger side window the place your hand over the vent nearest the steering wheel. The air pressure in the cab would slightly pull air from the compressor into the cabin and the temperature of that air would signal whether it was cooling or not. I did so and sure enough it worked (although it sounded like witchcraft to me ). The air was cold, but not blowing with any force. So when I turn the truck off and then back on it “might” work. When it does it’s like normal. When it doesn’t it’s just off. Turning it on or off with the dial doesn’t activate it at all. So it only turns on or off depending on the ignition. Does that sound like a bad relay?

 

Sounds more like a blower motor failing, next time it doesn't work find the blower motor under the dash by the glovebox and give it a good smack. If it comes on then you need a blower motor, if it doesn't then get a test light and see what your missing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-information-diagnostics.784008/#post-28042158

 

Open the glovebox door and slam it shut. Works like a charm.

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Thank you. Checking that now.

 

My A/C does something similar to this, but the blower still works on max and occasionally the other settings work randomly as I'm driving down the road, slamming my door and hitting the blower itself worked for a while, but it has been getting progressively worse. I work at a shop and our master mechanic recommended continue messing with the blower motor itself for a while, but also to check the resistor because that may be the true source of the problem.

 

Check the wiring connecting the blower

It often fails and a repair kit is available and simple to install

 

This is a known weakness in the trucks. It’s a straight forward fix, provided you are comfortable cutting/splicing wires. You really want to do a good job on the wire splices. Here are pictures of the kit I used and a picture of the connector cut off (so that I could match color/wire order).

 

Blower motor pigtail gets hit by feet

i used to tap the blower to get it to turn on

Blower died a few months later

replaced both motor and pigtail, no more issues

 

I recently purchased a used 2013 Tacoma. Only the high speed worked on the blower fan. After reading much of the above, I replaced the resistor, but not the pigtail, and voila!, I had all 4 speeds back.........for 2 weeks. Now, I only have high speed again. Would changing the pigtail make any difference? I didn't change it before and got all 4 speeds back.