How To: Permanently Enable AC Recirculation

Ok, my TW community... it has been a long time since my last contribution. So, here it goes.

A/C Recirculation BYPASS

WARNING: Perform at your own risk. This does not void your factory warranty, however some members have voiced their concerns about windows fogging due AC Recirculation. Please be aware of moisture or condensation forming on your windows. Driving with foggy windows can impair your driving. Now to reduce any chance or possibility of fogging to occur, always keep the inside of your windows clean (perform on a regular basis). Any oil or film that forms on the inside of the window can increase the chance of fogging. Also, adjust the temperature of the AC at first signs of fogging. I have done this for years and it is just habit.

With that said, let's proceed...

I have seen multiple mentions of the servo going bad, but no mention of how to keep the control module from automatically choosing outside versus recirculating the cabin air.

After 2.5 years of pushing and holding that damn button, I have had it. If you get tired of pushing the button, live or work near chemical refineries and do not want to smell that poopoo plant anymore READ ON!!!

Toyota had the bright idea to take your CHOICE away and not allow you to choose whether you wanted outside air or recirculated air. You can push that button but it will automatically switch to outside air if it is a cold day and you have warm air pumping through, or warmer air than ambient pumping through.

So I give the TW community the POWER to CHOOSE!!! Well let's be honest you are disabling the servo so you are just choosing to run recirculated air.

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Step 1: Remove the glove box

Step 2: Locate AC Recirc Servo

Step 3: Determine OPEN and CLOSED.
+ For this exercise we will say;
OPEN = Recirc is ON (button lit)
CLOSED = Recirc is OFF (button not lit)

Step 4: Remove servo connector and tuck away

That's it. Four easy steps and you are on your way to a stress free, and smelly free cabin...

 

CLOSED is the first picture shown in this write up. Notice the foam is touching the plastic grill. The foam will be closer to you meaning air will be drawn from outside the cabin.

OPEN is the picture below. The foam will be away from you allowing the motor to suck air from the cabin.

 

Now in the picture it is a little difficult to see but the connector is where the BLUE piece is, but DO NOT pull the BLUE piece. The connector snaps on the DRIVER side (left hand side) of the servo.

Be sure when you do this the servo is set to OPEN and the recirc button is lit.

Using a small screwdriver, needle nose or your fingers, just lift the U plastic piece of the connector of the catch and gently pull. I recommend using your fingers so you don't go breaking anything.

 

I think it's great you have engineered this mod. I have an AC mod on my truck as well. I have a question about this though.

If this thing gets automatically overridden then why is there even a button on it? What good is the button? I must be missing something.

 

Something Toyota safety cooked up. The button does key the servo, but Toyota installed a "fail safe" for safety reasons to keep windows from fogging up, or something. At least that is all I have found so far.

I just got tired of driving along and getting a big woof of stench realizing the Recirc door closed again because I did not press and hold it for 2-6 seconds.

 

I am getting a 2013 real soon...

it does go closed for good, you only need to hold the button down ?

(I realize that if this is the case, it is numb, as... when you want it you
need it yesterday...for me it is stank diesels)

 

I am not sure I completely follow what you are saying, but you can press that button all day long but as soon as the air outside the truck is cooler than the temperature setting inside the truck, the Recirc door CLOSES and gets its air from outside the vehicle.

To bypass the auto feature, in the owner's manual, you have to press and hold the Recirc button for 2-6 seconds. Then the servo will not auto-engage no matter the temp. difference. BUT, if you ever turn your truck off, this feature resets to default in which the auto is re-activated. So you have to press and hold the button down the next time you start your truck.

This becomes tedious and I always keep mine on Recirc due to fowl odors and such. So I had to locate the servo and prevent this from happening again. Not sure if the auto feature is on the newer tacos, someone is going to have to chime in if they have the same issue.

 

Not sure. I just performed this today and have not gotten a chance to test. But, all of my other experiences with servos say the door will remain shut, because servos require electricity to operate. And I will not be pushing on the door and I doubt there will be enough pressure outside to force the door closed.

I would imagine vibrations could affect it but I only do highway miles. Someone will have to perform this and give offroad results. I will post my results as time passes.

 

Your windows are going to fog like crazy.

 

did not realize that was a problem. i don't really understand the concept of cold air, anyway.

 

Nope, keep the windows inside clean with Stoner and the A/C removes the moisture from the air. I adjust the temperature, and if it is cold out side all you have to do is get the glass warm enough and the fog will go away.

Never had fogging issues and I always use recirc.

 

my 20013 with 245 miles does this.. just upgraded from 2008....this answers my question...i almost never use outside air...and it just keeps resetting....

 

In Texas, I can believe it.

In WI.... Well, you can tell the people who don't know how recirc works, they have frost on the inside of the windows and look out at the world thought a little tiny clear patch just above the steering wheel.

You should also do the AC on defrost disable mod. Whenever your defrost is selected (alone or in combination), the AC will run. You can disable this and improve fuel economy a small bit.

 

What year Tacomas does this apply to?

 

what about during the summer when its a 108....will it stay closed or will it always come on as open and need closing...

 

^^^
Unless it is mofo hot outside, I've never used the recirc. The more FRESH AIR the better!

 

The reason it opens is to let fresh air in because it's dryer then the inside of the truck particularly in the winter. The A/C runs because it is a dehumidifier and works far better than heat. But hey what do all the manufactures know there just a dumb bunch of overpaid engineers.

 

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