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A/C Light Blinking Troubleshooting Guide

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by JCH, Jul 7, 2016.

  1. Sep 1, 2019 at 8:04 PM
    #61
    Matajramon

    Matajramon Support Taco Trucks

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    Hey fellas. My AC was working fine then, suddenly, started blowing hot out of nowhere and the AC light started blinking. A few minutes later, it blew cold again. The next day it went out again and stayed that way. I figured out the compressor wasn't engaging and changed the relay which didn't solve it. I took it to a trusted ac specialist and he showed me the compressor clutch wasn't engaging even if he hooked it up directly. I bought a new compressor off Amazon and had him install it for me. It now works but only if I wedge a cardboard into the relay forcing the plates to touch, if I turn on the AC without wedging the cardboard, it won't engage. Where should I start?
     
  2. Sep 1, 2019 at 8:50 PM
    #62
    kasnerd

    kasnerd candied bacon

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    Mods? Yes, oh yes..
    check the shim/gap in the clutch assembly.
     
  3. Sep 2, 2019 at 11:42 AM
    #63
    Matajramon

    Matajramon Support Taco Trucks

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    Can this still be a problem if the compressor is new?
    Edit: the compressor works if I manually engage the magnetic clutch relay. I've tried with a brand new relay and it doesn't engage
     
  4. Sep 2, 2019 at 4:00 PM
    #64
    kasnerd

    kasnerd candied bacon

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    not sure. sounds like you are looking at a clutch assembly replacement and a trip back to your specialist. I'd meter the connection, and make sure the gap is correct. check the wiring behind the compressor (it is a pain). other than that I'm out of ideas.
     
  5. Sep 6, 2019 at 11:31 AM
    #65
    Fiddlestring

    Fiddlestring Member

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    Was your belt spinning the pulley on the clutch? Am asking because my A/C just went out with the same blinking light. I looked under the hood and found all tight connections on my compressor. After starting the truck, the belt was not spinning the pulley at all. I checked the belt after killing the engine and its tight with no slipping.
     
  6. Sep 6, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #66
    Fiddlestring

    Fiddlestring Member

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    Aight, I'm an idiot, compressor is not seized. The bearings are just real smooth making it look like the compressor pulley is not spinning.

    So, clutch will not engage. Tried swapping relays out with the towing relay and still not engaging the clutch. All fuses checked out fine. Any tips on where to look now?
     
  7. Sep 6, 2019 at 1:01 PM
    #67
    Matajramon

    Matajramon Support Taco Trucks

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    I'm In the same boat.The sensors on the high pressure line are fine and the clutch is working (when we rig it up directly). A buddy and I are suspecting a problem with the body control module.
     
  8. Sep 6, 2019 at 4:55 PM
    #68
    08RC

    08RC Well-Known Member

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    Did you actually put jumpers in place of the relay . Sounds similar to mine so far and it ended up being the AC Amplifier above the glove box. Lots of grounds there to check also. All sensors checked out on mine along with the relay which told me something is not telling the compressor to run so I guessed at the item that controls that and took a shot after weeks of tinkering with it off and on .
     
  9. Sep 6, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    #69
    Matajramon

    Matajramon Support Taco Trucks

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    I jumped the relay, if that makes any sense. Earlier today,I disconnected and cleaned all the connecters that go to the fuse and body ecu unit (behind the coin tray on the lower left side of the steering wheel. Above left knee) it took a while but I hooked the battery back up and the AC is working the way it's supposed to. Lord willing it keeps working but I'll keep the AC amplifier in mind.
     
  10. Sep 6, 2019 at 9:13 PM
    #70
    BananaMan

    BananaMan Well-Known Member

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    Well, I had the blinking light when I got my truck, and I've just been running natures AC (open windows.) I didn't think to pull the relay to keep the clutch from attempting to engage, and boy did it let me know that was a mistake. DD38705D-9873-4755-89F7-DCADCA59DE40.jpgThis was all that I could find after the racket died down and I pulled the truck to the side of the road. I'm guessing I need a new compressor... A4BF4C1D-49D2-42C6-B7DC-A6E2BB5D06E6.jpg
     
  11. Sep 10, 2019 at 7:08 PM
    #71
    Marsevar

    Marsevar Member

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    Good luck fellas. All of the potential causes and solutions are in this forum, you just have to start hunting. It’s been a few weeks now and I haven't had anymore issues. After checking everything, it seems my problem was a loose bolt on the compressor pickup sensor...weird.

    If anyone is in a bind and needs a new AC amplifier, I have a brand new one that fits an 08 tacoma. Message me and I’ll sell it to you at the friend’s price.
     
  12. Sep 30, 2019 at 4:51 PM
    #72
    jtforsan

    jtforsan New Member

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    JCH, thanks for sharing your experience and for sharing what you learned when fixing your A/C. I just changed my compressor sensor on my 2013 Toyota Tacoma because of the blinking light, and it literally took about 5 mins. When I slid under my truck from the front side, direction my head slid in under the grill, i could see the little clamp that locks on to the sensor. I just popped it up with a small flat head screw driver, unplugged it, removed the screw, and replaced it with a new one. Thanks again for sharing the info because I’m sure you save me hundreds of dollars!!
     
  13. Oct 8, 2019 at 6:22 PM
    #73
    Bootselectric

    Bootselectric Well-Known Member

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    Thank you JCH for taking the time to make this thread, your thorough troubleshooting analysis saved me from experiencing a great deal of grief. And for those experiencing similar issues with their AC, this is what I experienced and what solved the problem. My AC light started blinking, then came the hot air. Upon turning the AC off, then waiting a little while, it would work again, only to start blinking again, and disengaging at some random point later on; this went on for a few days. I discovered this thread, and went the easiest and cheapest route first, replacing the magnetic clutch relay, problem solved!
     
  14. Feb 22, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #74
    SD2GATaco

    SD2GATaco Well-Known Member

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    Well to keep this thread going...

    My 13 Tacoma AC light started blinking last year. I could turn it off and then back on and it would work fine for a while. Eventually, that stopped working. As of today, when I crank the truck and turn the AC on it blows warm air and the clutch does not engage. There’s no squealing or smells. After leaving the truck running for a while the clutch will eventually kick in and the AC will run but the clutch cycles on and off(I’m not sure if that’s normal operation when the AC is running) & blows
    Cold air the whole time. To start hunting down the problem I’ve replaced the magnetic clutch relay.. but looking for advice from someone more knowledgeable before I buy a new ac pickup sensor and keep spending money. Thanks in advance!
     
  15. May 10, 2020 at 11:35 AM
    #75
    Danno2701

    Danno2701 Member

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    Anybody have any idea how to remove the ac amplifer from the mount under the dash? I cant see if its a threaded nut on the topside of the flange? If anybody has any idea, please let me know. thanks!
     
  16. May 21, 2020 at 11:25 AM
    #76
    Jazz1one

    Jazz1one It is what it is

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    SCS ray 10s. 315/75/16 Yokohama G003. Elka 2.5 dc w/remote resi. SPC uppers. Dobinson heavy leafs. Timbren bumps. Spindle gussets. Cab mount relocate. TRD catback. Toyota trifold tonneau. Full spare in bed. Hood deflector, side visors. Danger Customs Front/rear high clearance bumpers and full skids. 2 way remote start. Safari snorkel. Front 30% tint. Bed step. Anzo LED head lights. Weather tech mats. AllPro HD sliders linexed. 10k smitty x20 synthetic. Factor55 flatlink. Linexed bushwhackers. Rigid industries bumper pods. Ridged industries DSS ditch lights. Diode Dynamics amber pods. Prinsu roof rack. 42” Caliraised Amber single row. Switch Pros in sunglass holder. Custom Bed rail mounts for recovery gear.Northstar AGM battery. 4.88 nitro gears. Front and rear ARB lockers. ARB air compressor in bed cubby using expedition essentials mount.
    I just had the blinking ac light, along with squealing and a smell, come on. It happened during a wheeling trip. I drove through some mud pits and puddles. Could it be the clutch? Bearing? Sensors?
     
  17. May 21, 2020 at 12:05 PM
    #77
    CurtB

    CurtB Old Timer knowitall

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    Could be. And could be mud in the grooves of the belt. Wash the grooves off, go for a ride with the AC Off to dry the belt. Then try the AC again.
     
  18. May 25, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #78
    Jazz1one

    Jazz1one It is what it is

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    I think I found the problem...D335E7AB-13BA-46A2-A966-48187FC548F2.jpg7032A9C5-9CC7-4D74-A480-902E7E1E1AEA.jpg
    1A729716-AFD6-4714-AA6C-3C89C597C0D0.jpg

    Clutch is cooked. Ordered a new one from Toyota. Hopefully the compressor is still good. Will install and report back in a couple of days.
     
    kasnerd and CurtB[QUOTED] like this.
  19. May 26, 2020 at 8:43 PM
    #79
    Jazz1one

    Jazz1one It is what it is

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    Got the new parts in from Toyota.
    I was able to access from underneath, I didn’t remove the whole compressor, just the clutch assembly. Kept the driver wheel in place. Just took off the skids and it’s all straight forward from there. The big snap ring gave me a hard time to get back in, everything else was a breeze.

    I Installed with the same spacers that came off the original. I have a gap of 0.584mm. I couldn’t test the gap on the original because it was toast.
    I ran it and everything is operating fine but my ocd is asking if any of you can get under there with a gap tool and confirm your specs please....


    427A7283-B19F-4DBE-905B-AC1BFFBCF3DD.jpg
     
    kasnerd likes this.
  20. May 26, 2020 at 10:07 PM
    #80
    kasnerd

    kasnerd candied bacon

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    as long as it's within the spec, yer good. Your experience is pretty much mine except I swapped thinking it was the problem and left new one on as that snap ring was a pain and didn't want to do that again. My arms were sore for a few days trying for the love of yota.... I don't have the range for the gap off hand, but a quick Google should tell you.
     

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