2011 V6 Camry Climate Control Issue

So not a Tacoma, but it's my wife's car and I know there is a huge amount of technical expertise on here. The problem is lately the AC will start blowing room temp air, sometimes even warm with the AC on. Doesn't matter what mode setting (ie. floor, defrost, Max AC, etc). It's Not the normal cycling on and off but there's no cool air even with the outside temp 90+.

But I discovered disconnecting the battery for a few seconds will reset back to normal operation. Until it starts again the next week, that is. So I know it is not the Freon, that has been checked, and the evap line is cold as normal plus there is the usual amount of condensation draining out.

The ability to reset it makes me think some control circuit is getting out hosed up and not reading the position of the temp control knob correctly or the input from some temp sensor(s) or something like that. Or maybe the dampers not responding correctly.

But I don't much about how the AC control system works and can't find a whole lot searching either. Anyone ever encountered something like this to shed any light? I don't know if the control logic is part of the engine computer or if there is a separate controller in the dash somewhere or not?

 

When the AC stops blowing cold air, does the AC light on your control knob flash?

 

I really haven't paid attention to that, so I don't know. However I do see it flash after I have reconnected the battery and crank the car. I see it a second or two after I re-start the car, then the AC resumes operating normally.

 

Well following up on my own post, this issue got to the point where I was having to "fix" it every day. I saw all the discussions about the AC clutch relays but I really didn't think it was the relay (and still not sure) since I believed the compressor was continuing to operate. But I figured what can it hurt, so I swapped the relays (same part #) between my Tacoma and the Camry. I figured if the car stops acting up then the truck does, I would know for sure. But now so far both have worked fine for the past month. Beats me, I will report if any further discoveries are made.