3rd gen AC at idle

My tacoma is a 2020 model. The AC cools very quickly when moving but if sitting still it blows just slightly cool air.

Now as I type this last it is 103F in central MS.

Is this normal tacoma AC behavior?

 

Yes
Apparently there’s a service bulletin, adding an electric fan if customer complains about low speed cooling.

 

Nice. I'm going to ask Toyota about that. Thanks for the quick response!

 

Most vehicles struggle with AC when it’s over 100 with high humidity. Nice to hear about an additional fan option. I have not noticed an AC problem, but where I live, mainly dealing with 80s or low 90s for most part.

 

I’d find the TSB, read it before you go. I think it spells out customer complaints.

 

Most (all?) automobiles struggle with heat, a/c, and electrical output at idle. Everything is spinning slowly.

 

The TSB for this can be found on this forum. Read it first before pursuing. The 'fix' is a real mess of a hack job on the wiring. Ask yourself if you want a tech that can't do an oil change properly doing this work.

 

Yup completely normal

 

Good point!
Mine does have slightly decreased performance when REALLY hot and idling, it still keeps me plenty cool, even when not on MAX. That said, I’d rather deal with that, then let Ricky-Ratchet gut my truck.

 

Yes, this TSB.

 

is this your first vehicle?
The AC system requires circulating air to move the heat away from it, air circulates better when your vehicle is in motion rather than sitting still at idle.
Home AC works the same way, if the coils are clogged with dirt and debris that can prevent air circulation and the compressor can overheat and stop working efficiently.
When you're at idle, try putting it in neutral (foot on brake of course) and bring your RPMS up to 2000-2500 to see if that helps pull some air into the engine bay and see how that affects it.

 

Yes and no. A lot of vehicles have electronic fans which are powered independently which reduces many of these issues.

 

This is exactly why I'm not doing the AC evaporator TSB even though I have the infamous high RPM AC whistle. Mine really isn't that bad, and I shudder to think about my dealership tearing the dashboard apart, taking out the AC unit and evaporator, and putting it all back together again. My truck doesn't have a single rattle in the dash, and that seems like a perfect way to end up with a bunch of them. I'd rather put up with the occasional intermittent whistle.

 

Get your A/C system checked for leaks. I had a similar issue on my 17’ and previously on a 16’. Schrader valves leaking and low refrigerant were the culprit both times. My 17’ AC also had the infamous whistle but after the valve repair and refill this issue has gone away.

 

While I have not heard the infamous whistle in my 2020 yet, imo the A/C is only average at best, especially when over 95 degrees. Its no better than my early gen1 tundra was.

 

Something not helping the poor performance of the A/C systems on these trucks is the very long uninsulated refrigerant line that snakes it's way from the evaporator housing on the passengerside firewall, down and then underneath the front of the engine, and then over to the A/C compressor on the left side of the engine (the entirety of it all soaking in the hot air blast from the engine fan).
I insulated it using split-foam pipe insulation (wrapping it every few inches with 3M electrical tape to help keep it secured). This made a noticeable difference in how cold the air gets while in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Have not experienced it shutting off when it's 105°F outside either, which I've read can happen when it gets over 100°F.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Foam-Self-Seal-Pipe-Insulation-ORS07812/204760815

 

I heard the AC whistle for the first time in my '23 Pro today....was very short but it was there. Apparently normal? Air was still ice cold though...

 

Welcome to the club Let's not call it normal because an AC evaporator isn't supposed to do that. Let's just say a common quirk for these trucks. Mine blows ice cold also, even in the Florida heat.

 

Agreed....how about "normal for a Tacoma!"...