I gotta say thanks for the advice I read here about the Relay. I went with the 2028 part and it cost me right at $85 from the Dealer.
I kinda wish I would have tried the "Smack the 2022 part on the concrete" before replacing...But this was a pretty easy fix.

2003 4Runner w/ 80k miles

You can by A LOT of these for that price, RELAY AUTO SPDT MICRO ISO 12VDC - G8H-1C4T-R-DC12

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com$28.33

Recently joined this forum after reading about the sudden blinking a/c light and lack of cooling.

I did the recommendations to find the control relay (thanks to the member who posted a diagram of the control/fuse box next to the vehicle's battery). I used a wrench to pull out the relay, tapped it a few times on the garage floor and re installed. All is now working perfectly, cooling good, etc. If I have other problems, will replace with the recommended relay. I have the original.

Thank you all so much!

My 2003 4runner developed AC problems at 70k miles around 2008. That problem was diagnosed as a sensor built on the compressor (diagnosed by whom I believe to be a very knowledgeable and reputable local auto AC guy). Back then the AC light blinked immediately, always blinked once the problem started, and the AC stopped blowing cool air. Unfortunately, the 2003 model compressor did not allow changing the sensor and, therefore, I spent about $900 changing the compressor. The AC worked fine until intermittent operation began about when I turned 100k miles. I searched T4R's threads, but missed Rando's top-notch analysis of the relay problem. I recently went over 113k miles, found the thread, and recently swapped the fog light relay with the old AC clutch relay. This has worked like a charm for the past week and I soon will add the diode that Rando suggested and possibly use the Digi-Key relay (here is the link) that someone provided. I have been fighting power door lock actuator problems and the AC problem was pushing me over the edge. This might allow me to keep this vehicle for 150k to 200k miles. Rando also indicated that complete repair manuals and electrical diagrams were available on Ebay and I have secured complete html-based manuals and electrical diagrams for very little cash. I appreciate everyone's contribution to this forum and especially this thread.

I can't thank everyone here enough for your wonderful suggestions and walk-arounds to various issues seen with T4R.

You guys rule!!!!!! Thanks everyone and please keep it up.

I jumped in my 4runner today and figured she got jealous I spent half the day washing and maintaining the other family vehicle, and just to spite me, the A/C start flashing and no cold air. Great. I've had few issues with my 4runner to date, only having to replace some brake calipers (thanks to winter/salt in the U.P.), a battery and new tires at 70k. truck has been paid off, so figured it's about time i had to put something into it. figured i check the forum to see if others had same issue and what they found. very relieved to hear it might only be the relay. I'll give the hammer a try in the morning and see if that helps, or swap relays with fog lights to verify it's the relay. If not, I'll be back for help. Either way, I figure the forum just saved me a trip to the dealer, and warranty is up. Thanks guys. btw, mine has around 92k miles. odd how they are reaching end of life after 7 years on a lot of vehicles.

love tap did it this go round. i definitely have the older relay. looks like i probably need to get one coming for when this one finally dies. I heard some talk of the service bulletin, but then heard a lot of people have to pay out of pocket. is the service bulletin only good if the vehicle is still under warranty?

Yep. Ironically, I found the service bulletin and it said that it was 3 years or 36,000 miles. As mine is an 03, I was screwed. I found a replacement part by Omron on eBay for $15 and am giving that a shot.

SO GLAD i FOUND THIS THREAD!!! I PUT IN THE NEW RELAY, IT COST $74 AT THE DEALER. IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!! I HAVE AN 03 4RUNNER WITH 81,000 MILES ON IT. THE 4RUNNER IS AN AWESOME TRUCK, THIS WAS THE WORST WINTER IN NEW JERSEY IN YEARS AND THIS TRUCK WENT RIGHT THROUGH 3 FEET OF SNOW WITHOUT BREAKING A SWEAT. THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!

I ordered the relay from digi-key. cost me $10 after delivery. ordered saturday arived wednesday. don't need to install yet, but for $10 thought it was worth it to have on-hand for when the love taps fail to fix the old relay.

I have a v8 2003 4runner with about 103K and my A/C went out complete with blinking A/C light.

Local Toyota dealer sold me a new "magnetic clutch relay" for 65 plus tax. Slipped it in and A/C works like new!!!

Thanks to the forum for an easy fix to what could have been an expensive problem to diagnose!

Thx,

V8

I appreciate the info in this thread as well. Same A/C problem popped up recently for me. Well past warranty period as described in the technical service bulletin.

Local Toyota dealer wanted way too much money for the relay, so found a reputable U.S. based eBay seller and got the relay for less than half of what the dealership wanted. So much for buying locally.

Repacement relay (grey 90987-02028) installed and problem solved! A nice easy fix for the diy'er.

I have a 94 4runner and it sounds like the AC magnetic clutch relay is the problem I am having, but I can't find it to replace it (neither could the guy at Auto Zone). It is not in the fuse box under the hood where the rest are....does anyone know where I can find it???

I tried the relay bit first. Worked for about a day, then the $25 or $35 relay (I forget how much I paid from local auto supply) blew out and was no longer any good. I thought about it and replaced the a/c air filter behind the glove compartment. (Yes, it was filthy! There was even a leave stuck in there!) Then I took one of the unused relays from the fuze box (recommended in other posts in this) and put it in the right place. Worked like a charm all last summer. Thought I'd post this now, so anyone going thru the same thing this year can try least expensive thing first.