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Maybe Unique A/C Problem?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by SManZ, Aug 5, 2014.

  1. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:30 PM
    #1
    SManZ

    SManZ [OP] Sold the Taco in June 2020

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    I've searched the forums pretty good and cannot find another post with these similar symptoms. Most AC problems seem to come with a blinking AC button light or a noisy compressor and I have neither.

    The clutch on my A/C compressor engages intermittently, about every 3 or 4 secs at idle. The result is a barely cool truck at max cool settings.

    I've replaced both the magnetic clutch relay and the A/C relay in the fuse box under the hood.

    I've recharged the system. It was slightly low.

    Blower motor and vent switches work fine at all settings.

    AC indicator light stays on, does not blink.

    No funny noises from compressor, pulley turns smooth.

    Unrelated to the AC diagnosis, I replaced the serpentine belt about 1k mi ago.

    The AC does work better at higher rpms. Not sure if its because the compressor is engaged the entire time or if its just turning faster for the periods that it is engaged.

    What are some other things I can check?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:35 PM
    #2
    BAMS

    BAMS Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like it is over pressured. I went through this last week on my wifes car. The fact that it cycles on so much leads me to believe that there is too much pressure. Just my experience.
     
  3. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:39 PM
    #3
    SManZ

    SManZ [OP] Sold the Taco in June 2020

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    Thanks for the reply!

    How can I bleed off some pressure? I do have the hose with the gauge and fitting that pierces the cans of refrigerant. If I attach this to the low pressure port without the refrigerant can and pull the trigger will it vent out of that end or is there a one way check valve on these things?
     
  4. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:43 PM
    #4
    BAMS

    BAMS Well-Known Member

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    Check the pressure with the gauge on the can. If it is too much, use a nail or small screwdriver on the low pressure side to bleed some off. Be careful not to freeze your fingers though.
     
  5. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:49 PM
    #5
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    Did you use a manifold gauge set that attaches to both the high and low pressure sides or one of the AC kits that only have a low pressure hose? There could be several issues that cause poor cooling such as a partial blockage, etc... You may not be able to tell with just a low pressure gauge. Hopefully it's just overcharged and pulling a little out will fix it.
     
  6. Aug 5, 2014 at 3:51 PM
    #6
    TacomaToday

    TacomaToday Well-Known Member

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    I had a similar problem, my AC unit would randomly just stop working while I'm driving. The dealer changed out a relay switch in my tacoma 2010. It was causing my AC line to freeze up completely so blower/clutch wouldn't turn on. Easy way to check is when it's happening, open your hood and look at the AC line, you'll start seeing frost build up on the line. Part number is TOY 90987-02028. Maybe that might be your problem. My dealer was running into a couple trucks with this issue.
     
  7. Aug 5, 2014 at 4:01 PM
    #7
    SManZ

    SManZ [OP] Sold the Taco in June 2020

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    Thanks much for the info! I'll check the system pressure, bleed off if necessary, and report back :)

    vssman, I used a single gauge on the low pressure side.

    TacomaToday; I replaced that relay yesterday :) Found it at NAPA...expensive little bugger at $27. Its for the magnetic clutch. The other relay is in a smaller box attached to the main fuse box under the hood. It has a single relay for A/C in it. :confused: Replaced that one too.
     
  8. Aug 5, 2014 at 4:07 PM
    #8
    evile

    evile Well-Known Member

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    If it works at higher rpms 9/10 times you have a bad compressor
     
  9. Aug 5, 2014 at 4:37 PM
    #9
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    Ok. The can should tell you that the pressure is correct when the compressor is on. Make sure that is the reading you're using and not when it's not cycling. You can overfill if measured when the compressor is off.
     
  10. Aug 5, 2014 at 4:50 PM
    #10
    OCNutty

    OCNutty Well-Known Member

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    If it's cycling that fast, it's either way overcharged (covered above), very undercharged (low pressure drops fast when compressor kicks on which opens low side switch, but high pressure doesn't go up much) or possibly there's a plugged expansion valve (expansion valve is in evaporator).
    how do you know it's undercharged (slightly low) in op? with a full gauge set?
     
  11. Aug 5, 2014 at 5:05 PM
    #11
    evile

    evile Well-Known Member

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    what are your pressures reading at idle with max ac on
     
  12. Aug 5, 2014 at 5:57 PM
    #12
    SManZ

    SManZ [OP] Sold the Taco in June 2020

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    It was reading around 50psi initially. After bleeding some off its reading just over 40psi. Compressor was running constantly in the parking lot after I bled off pressure. Going to run it around tomorrow and see how it does.

    Hopefully this fixes it. This experience has allowed me to learn way more about ACs than I ever wanted to haha. Seemingly complicated stuff.
     
  13. Aug 5, 2014 at 7:01 PM
    #13
    evile

    evile Well-Known Member

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    This
     
  14. Aug 5, 2014 at 7:07 PM
    #14
    KenpachiZaraki

    KenpachiZaraki Its Wicked Flow BITCHES!!

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    Too much pressure then. I bet it will start working fine now
     
  15. Aug 6, 2014 at 7:53 AM
    #15
    OCNutty

    OCNutty Well-Known Member

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    Watch it and make sure compressor is cycling in normal usage. If it's running full time, esp in moderate weather, there's still something not quite right. In humid weather should show a pretty good drip from the condensate tube.
     
  16. Aug 7, 2014 at 9:09 AM
    #16
    SManZ

    SManZ [OP] Sold the Taco in June 2020

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    Seems to be running fine and blowing nice and cold! This was a thankfully easy fix :)
     
  17. Aug 7, 2014 at 9:14 AM
    #17
    BAMS

    BAMS Well-Known Member

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    Nice! Glad to hear it.
     
  18. Sep 8, 2014 at 7:31 AM
    #18
    muddog15

    muddog15 Member

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    I have a 2012 Tacoma, I'm still under my warrenty I also bought the extended warranty. I'm trying to get the dealer to fix a similar problem with my A/C. It doesn't want to cool if I'm sitting and the truck is running. They replaced the clutch recently. What else can make the A/C blow hot air or stop cooling if the truck sits at an idel for a while? They want to reproduce the problem before they fix it, but it's intermittent.
     
  19. Sep 8, 2014 at 11:22 PM
    #19
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    Low charge or over charge is the most common cause. Have they checked the pressures?
     
  20. Sep 9, 2014 at 3:54 AM
    #20
    muddog15

    muddog15 Member

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    They said they checked the entire system when they replaced the clutch. I'm not sure what they did, I'm not a DIY mechanic, so I don't know much about this kind of stuff. I have always had/paid somebody else do the work for me.
     

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