Indicator lights

Drive a 2021 TRD Sport. The mode indicator light for vent selection stays on on the climate control system and there continues to be a noticeable, but slight amount of air from the vents ( hot or cold ) for a period of time when I have turned the system off. Local Toyota service person told me it was designed this way. This wasn’t the case on a previously owned Tacoma. Thoughts.?

If this post doesn’t give insight to the perceived glitch, I’ll return to the dealership, find a 2021 Sport on the lot, get the keys and do a comparison.

 

Hit the air circulation button to stop the airflow into the cab.

air circulation off, air comes in
Air circulation on, no air comes in

 

That Could explain the ambient air even hough I think I checked that as one of my diagnostic procedures. What about the illuminated mode graphic ( Foot vents, upper-lower vents with defrost, etc.)is if supposed to stay illuminated whe the unit is turned odd?

 

Yes. My 19 TRDOR does the same. The indicator that it's off is there are no "bars" for the fan speed shown on the display after you pushed the off button.

 

Yes, everything turned of, no illuminated lights exsept scepter one mentioned

 

Yeah, that means the fan motor is not on, but the doors are open to the positions indicated, and if the recirc button is off(light off) then outside air is free to flow through those routes\vents. That's how it works, and that's how every AC system is designed that I've ever used in a vehicle.

There is a way to make the screen go blank, if that's what you're trying to do. Push the defrost button, then push the off button. Then only the little orange light for the defroster will be illuminated on the button and that's it.

 

this!
if the system is turned off with recirculation in the Off position, then when moving air will push through. Many (myself included) like this feature for fresh air that doesn't need to be cooled, heated, or have the humidity removed.
Note, the faster you drive, the more air is pushed in cabin.

 

It's wild to me that for as long as vehicles have had AC systems that the vast majority STILL do not understand it's most basic functions. I have a years long argument that's pretty much still active with one of my best friends because he thinks his AC is COLDER when the recirc button is off. He couldn't grasp that it's the exact opposite...

 

I could get behind this IF the air is flowing over the evaporator much faster in recirc mode than in fresh air mode. The thermal properties of the heat exchanger would be more efficient in recirc mode but the air would FEEL colder in fresh air mode (assuming the fan was on high for both experiments).

 

To add, he "claimed" that when he would first get in his truck after it sitting in the hot sun all day, that recirc wouldn't allow the truck to cool as fast. And again he couldn't comprehend that with each cubic foot of air that was cooled and recirculated (instead of pulled from outside where the temperature is not being altered) in the cabin through the AC system, the system itself has to work less and less to get it colder and colder. Thereby decreasing temperature in the cab at a faster rate.

Not to mention the system is designed that when you set it to the lowest temperature and turn it on it AUTOMATICALLY turns on the recirc. If that was the less desired mode why would the system designers program it to do that?

 

He is correct somewhat.

If the truck has been sitting out in the 90 degree sun, the quickest way to cool down the cab is for the system to cool 90 degree air vs 120 degree air inside the cab. Once the cab cools down closer to ambient temps recirculate will be more efficient.

Being in Texas I just crack a few windows and drive for a minute to quickly replace the hot cabin air the not as hot outside air.

 

Being in South Georgia the air is so wet the system is taxed so much that it literally doesn't work as good. Lmao. I'd rather it work slightly harder initially but not have to continuously condition hot soup from outside. Lol

 

the best one's are the people that are convinced that turning down the temperature of the system improves or speeds up the heating/cooling functionality of the system...

 

My GF goes from 55-90F or whatever the min/max is.

it’s a pointless conversation at this point.