AC light flashing

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Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Threads
94
Messages
486
Location
Charleston, SC
Happened once or twice, AC light would start flashing, cut off the AC and I would just manually push the button and it would turn on again. Mostly seeing it happen while truck is running and stationary. Anyone experience this?
 
So very dumb question, but with these LCs will they throw codes without the check engine light being triggered? And can i just go get it scanned at an autozone?
 
If it’s the relay sometimes you can get temporary relief by removing it and banging it on the ground a few times. Anyway, Advanced auto has one that will fix it for $15. Easy 5 minute fix
 
You can get the codes yourself by holding specific ac buttons while turning on the key. Not sure of the sequence but it is detailed in the fsm along withe code information. Maybe someone else will chime in with the details......
 
Jusr found this in a Toyota AC manual

"A blinking A/C light indicates a compressor speed problem from a
slipping, oily or damaged drive belt; slipping, damaged or incorrectly
shimmed compressor clutch; overcharged system causing a slipping belt
or compressor clutch; damaged, loose or intermittently shorted A/C
compressor wire. The least likely causes include an actual compressor
lock-up condition or a malfunctioning lock-up sensor on the compressor."

Also, here is the sequence to access the codes

"Turn on the ignition with Auto and Recirculate buttons held down."
The code numbers will display on the screen.

Search the internet for "Toyota ac and climate control course 752" for the manual pdf.
 
Man I love this place. This is happening to me right now because I’m chasing out serpentine belt problems (fan clutch and idler pulley done but ran out of time to swap the fan bearing and tensioner). I figured there was something related here but had NO idea the AC compressor had any smarts to tell you “hey man- I’m running but something is weird. Take a look.”

Guess I’ll go on and get round to phase II of the repair.
 
Man I love this place. This is happening to me right now because I’m chasing out serpentine belt problems (fan clutch and idler pulley done but ran out of time to swap the fan bearing and tensioner). I figured there was something related here but had NO idea the AC compressor had any smarts to tell you “hey man- I’m running but something is weird. Take a look.”

Guess I’ll go on and get round to phase II of the repair.
Did you solve the blinking light issue? I changed the clutch relay and am hoping it is the solution.
 
Did you solve the blinking light issue? I changed the clutch relay and am hoping it is the solution.
Not really. The problem I was having was that all the OTHER stuff in the serpentine belt pathway was old and crappy. Once all that was replaced, all that’s left is to swap the AC compressor itself and fix the leaky crossover pipe that goes over top of the radiator (which is where I finally found my leak). It’s been low priority but is jumping back up higher since it’s 87* here today. Spring is springing and I don’t want it to get to be 115* heat index summer before I get back to that.
 
Not really. The problem I was having was that all the OTHER stuff in the serpentine belt pathway was old and crappy. Once all that was replaced, all that’s left is to swap the AC compressor itself and fix the leaky crossover pipe that goes over top of the radiator (which is where I finally found my leak). It’s been low priority but is jumping back up higher since it’s 87* here today. Spring is springing and I don’t want it to get to be 115* heat index summer before I get back to that.
Yeah I hear you on summer closing in. The only code I am still throwing is 21 (some faulty dashboard sensor) but it is intermittent.
 
Currently having the exact same issue. The compressor was replaced last year before I bought it in July. I live in Tucson so the AC had to be working. It has only recently started over the past three weeks. I had to swap the alternator and installed a new battery and drive belt just this week. The first run the AC did its thing but its back to flashing sometimes. I am gonna try the AC relay first to see if that fixes it otherwise I am thinking the compressor clutch may need to be checked to make sure it's not out of place? If anyone here had any success I am dying to know.
 
Currently having the exact same issue. The compressor was replaced last year before I bought it in July. I live in Tucson so the AC had to be working. It has only recently started over the past three weeks. I had to swap the alternator and installed a new battery and drive belt just this week. The first run the AC did its thing but its back to flashing sometimes. I am gonna try the AC relay first to see if that fixes it otherwise I am thinking the compressor clutch may need to be checked to make sure it's not out of place? If anyone here had any success I am dying to know.
Were you able to pull any codes? With the key in the off position, hold down the recirculating button and another that I forget while turning the key in ACC mode.
 
Were you able to pull any codes? With the key in the off position, hold down the recirculating button and another that I forget while turning the key in ACC mode.
Not reliably, some of the lights on the panel are burned out so the cycle just ran through, I wouldn't be able to tell if i got a certain sequence. I'm gonna try small with the new relay and see if that does it. Of the available options this seems the most likely as the system is less than a year old and was working reliably since being repaired. Here's hoping.
 
Not reliably, some of the lights on the panel are burned out so the cycle just ran through, I wouldn't be able to tell if i got a certain sequence. I'm gonna try small with the new relay and see if that does it. Of the available options this seems the most likely as the system is less than a year old and was working reliably since being repaired. Here's hoping.
What year is your ride? The 98-00 years have an electric fan for the condenser where the fuse assembly is located behind the front driver side bumper. When I’m at idle the ac light blinks so I assume the fan is the culprit, or atleast a starting point for a fix.
 
Yeah I hear you on summer closing in. The only code I am still throwing is 21 (some faulty dashboard sensor) but it is intermittent.
Update as of maybe 3-4 weeks ago - I replaced crossover pipe and left the compressor alone. I BOUGHT a compressor, and if it conks out sometimes in the next little while that'll be the next thing, but after replacing that (hidden pinhole at the rubber hose/ hard pipe transition) and the condenser filter/ drier (cheap, had it all open so why not?), vacuum test (holds solid) and a driveway recharge, ol Larry has a functional AC again. My kids are glad, getting picked up from school or whatever in a car that's 110 because it's 95 outside is not their fave.
 
Update as of maybe 3-4 weeks ago - I replaced crossover pipe and left the compressor alone. I BOUGHT a compressor, and if it conks out sometimes in the next little while that'll be the next thing, but after replacing that (hidden pinhole at the rubber hose/ hard pipe transition) and the condenser filter/ drier (cheap, had it all open so why not?), vacuum test (holds solid) and a driveway recharge, ol Larry has a functional AC again. My kids are glad, getting picked up from school or whatever in a car that's 110 because it's 95 outside is not their fave.
Nice and congrats! Do you have condenser fan too?
 
It's a 99 LX470 so yeah, but just the one from 27yrs ago. One day we'll get "man the AC doesn't get real cold unless I'm moving at road speed" and then we'll address. I did do all the rest of the serpentine belt stuff last summer or so, so fan clutch/ bracket, PS pump, idler pulley, the alt was new a few years back, etc.

All that's left with 285k on it in that chain is the AC compressor itself, but on it soldiers for now with its backup on my garage shelf in the parts stash. That all relates here because: the blinky AC light in the center stack is like a "check engine" light for the AC system, which I learned in some other thread here when I started getting the belt bogged down by all that old stuff and it started to pop up here and there. (Edit: not to mention it threw the serpentine belt a coupe times on me which led to me going "huh - wonder what all is old down in there..." and that's how that went.) Anyway- if the compressor doesn't turn at the speed it expects to, that's one way it lets you know.
 
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