When I turn the AC on I get warm air. I thought it just needed a recharge, but when I looked at the compressor the clutch doesn't turn at all.

Is there a way to test the power going to the compressor? Or a fuse somewhere to check?

My truck is an 05 with a v8.

J.

It could be a problem with the Magnetic Clutch Relay - Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) about this relay.

EL011-05 06/03/2005 A/C - Inoperative/A/C Light Flashing - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Is your A/C light flashing?

A/C light flashing??

A/C Light Blinking on 2003 LTD

The light is not flashing, it stays solid

J.

May need a recharge indeed. There is a sensor to detect refrigerant pressure.
A safty feature prevent damage to compressor. Root cause could very well be a leak and could be expensive to repair.

I agree it's probably low on refrigerant. You can take it to Jiffy Lube and have them check the charge level. If low, they can evacuate it and pull a vacuum to see if it's leaking. They generally charge < $100 for that service.

Ah, ok. So the compressor won't run if it's too low? That's good to know. I'll see about taking it somewhere.

J.

took it in to Firestone for their $10 AC check. they called and said it's the HVAC module in the dash that doesn't work. Toyota wants $1100 for one (haha!) so that's not gonna happen.

is there a way to test the module? or is there a fuse or relay I can check? it seems like it should be an electrical thing if it's just the AC button "doesn't work" right?

J.

if its this, then maybe its not too expensive https://www.ebay.com/i/252933638632

Replacing the entire module is the way to go, just make sure you get the correct one, the Limited has a dual zone system, all other models have a single zone, also I think, but not really sure that it may matter if your's has/had the JBL sound system/regular sound system or Navigation sound system stereo.

I would get one form a local savage yard or eBay...but as mentioned make sure it's exactly like your's, take measurements and photos if you go to a savage yard.

No, the AC control module is a plastic box bolted in behind the HVAC switches. It's brown and is about the size of a cigarette pack, maybe a little larger.

I doubt that Firestone has the expertise to correctly diagnose an AC control module problem.

Curious thing...Firestone must have jiggled something back there correctly because it started blowing cold later that day, haha.

Ever since I bought the truck in November, the tpms light has been on. Not flashing, just solid. The PO said he suspected the spate was low. He was right, it was, but I got different wheels and tires (with no tpms in the wheels) when I took it out and never put the spare back in to test it. Solid light, all these months.

When I picked up the truck from Firestone, the light was off. Huh. I thought they must have cleared a code or reset the battery or something and figured it would come back on eventually. Well, when it came back on it was flashing, and that's the same time the AC started blowing cold. 🤷🏼*♂️

So yeah. Problem is "fixed" but I have no idea why or how. Just gonna enjoy my cold air.

J.

Do you have the OEM stereo(?), if not whoever installed the after market stereo could have left something disconnected or slightly loose and when they checked it out at Firestone they most likely checked all the connectors before reinstalling the AC console and it fixed your issue,

Aftermarket. But it wasn't working when Firestone finished with it. It was about 6 hours later that it kicked on. So if they fixed it, they didn't know they did.

J.

yeah, so the AC was blowing hard yesterday, nice and cold. and today...nothing. the tpms light still flashes, so that's all good. but I guess they were right that the control module still has issues somewhere.

any ideas of where this "ground issue" can take place? is it inside the main panel with the buttons? or something further back in the dash?

J.

Did you ever figure what the issue was? Battling with my AC right now! It's going to be a hot summer.

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