A/C stops

My 2015 Taco is my second Taco and both have had the same problem:
Occasionally with the AC running, the light on the AC button starts flashing and the AC stops running. The fan continues, but cold air stops. If I turn the AC off and then restart it, all is well. On my old Taco, the dealer claims they've never heard of such a problem. On my current Taco, I just came from the dealer and they also claim they've never heard of such a problem. They checked it out, and could not duplicate the problem. They say the unit is charged and the relay works, so nothing is wrong.
Is it possible that I've had the only two Tacos in existence that have experienced this problem? Has anyone else had it, and have you discovered the cause?

 

Not sure how the dealer hasn't heard of the flashing A/C light/A/C turning off when almost every Toyota model made since around 05 uses a compressor Lock Sensor and will kick it off if it detects a lock event. Older models flashed the light, newer ones just turn it off.

The flashing A/C light is when the A/C amplifier does not detect the correct speed signal from the compressor lock sensor after commanding the MG CLT relay on.

Possible causes are:
Open or shorted wire(s) in the lock sensor circuit
Bad lock sensor
Internal problem in the compressor
Open or shorted wire(s) to the MG CLT relay
Open in the wire from the MG CLT relay to the compressor
Failed compressor clutch
Belt slipping
Failed A/C amplifier


Intermittent ones can be pretty difficult to diagnose but if it seems to be temperature related my primary suspects would be the Lock Sensor, MG CLT Relay, or clutch coil fail when it gets hot.

 

That's so funny. I can't believe the mechanics haven't heard of it. I've had this problem intermittently for years in my 2015 Tacoma. From research online, I've learned that it's apparently the "Sensor, Compressor Pick Up" part number 88346-04010. I haven't replaced it so I can't confirm this is the fix but it was referenced multiple times as the solution online. Let us know... thanks

 

My AC went out in my 2013 a few years back. I had a total failure, so no blinking light. The blinking light is very normal for our trucks. Either you get the blinking light or it grenades itself like me.

Mine squealed like a banshee when turned on & smelled when it shit the bed. Compressor, clutch & tensioner all wipe out. Was $1600 at the dealership & all other AC shops wanted over $2k. We were stuck in traffic for hours. Wife was pregnant & we had the dog. Needless to say, AC was our saving grace. The compressor, etc, died a week later. Thankfully not that day in traffic

 

test the lock sensor, refer to FSM.
new OEM compressor unit is sold by Mahle/Delphi for about $400.
Sensor is aruond $150 from dealer

 

Thanks for the help y'all. I'll take this information to my dealer and educate them. Thanks again.

 

Good luck, hopefully they won't just start firing parts at it like alot of them like to do.