Re: A/C light flashing
 

Take it out. Tap it on a solid surface a few times and stick it back in. If it works it is the relay, no matter what part number you have.

The a/c light is blinking on my 2003 4runner as well. I just called the dealership and was informed that if I do need to replace the magnetic relay switch, the repairs would cost up to $1100 since it's no longer under warranty . That seems quite unreasonable! Are they serious??

Check out this thread. Order the relay mentioned on page 6 from Digikey. I ordered 2. Less than $15 shipped. Arrived in less than a week. I broke off the center of 3 pins. It works perfect!!! Sure beats $1100!!! You can also try the tap on a hard surface trick. Mine lasted over 10 months longer that way. If it works it is the relay only. If it doesn't still replace the relay. You will only be out less than $10.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/proble...lashing-6.html

See pic with pin broken off.

Dealer ripoffs on this AC relay problem are unbelievable
 

Some great advice by NCSCOTT above. See my link (here) discussing my AC problem history. I plan to get the Digi-Key relay soon.

I recently had this exact problem, and thanks to the forum I fixed my A/C for 65 bucks and 20 seconds of time. The relay is cheap and easy to replace.

If this is your problem, all you need is the replacement part and about 30 seconds of time to swap them out.

Good luck,

V8

Great to have this site to do some background checking. I ran into the same A/C problem as already described. Flashing A/C light on the dash, with the A/C blowing cold air but then kicking out after a bit.

Replacing the relay made sense as a first step and easy for a diy'er.

Called my local Toyota dealer to get a part quote - $120 CAN plus taxes. Yikes!

I like to replace with oem parts, so searched on eBay and found a reputable U.S. based seller - got the relay for less than half the price than my local dealer (and that was with shipping included).

After relay replacement (with the grey 90987-02028) the A/C works great. And it may be even blowing colder than before (although that could be my imagination).

Again, this site is a great resource!

A/C relay
 

Followed other's advice. Found the magnetic clutch relay;took it out and knocked it on workbench. I put it back in and the A/C works good so far. Thanks for the advice!! Saved me some money! Don't have to deal with the dealership!!

Fixed mine too
 

had the infamous blinking AC light on a 2004 with 122k miles, used google and found this great thread and forum. i looked under the hood and discovered i had the old (gray) relay, so i ordered the right part # from a company on ebay for $35 incl 2nd day shipping. happy to say that it fixed my problem. actually somewhat impressed that mine lasted 7 years and 122k miles- seems a bit longer than others on the thread.

dealer was charging $88 for same exact part.

thanks to all on this forum for the help.

Blinking A/C light, and A/C fixed.
 

Thanks to this thread, my 2003 4Runner with 125k miles is all better! Only $26.69 at Napa and 2 minutes of time.

A/c Light flashing, new relay switch didn't work.
 

Put in a new relay switch from advance auto ($15) A/c still didn't engage. Swapped out that relay with the fog light relay, fog lights still worked, a/c didn't engage.

"Jumped" the compressor lock switch on the front by the radiator, still a/c didn't engage.
Fuses are all good.

System is full of freon, I just filled it up myself, pressure is normal. Any ideas/suggestions of what else to try?
Thanks in advance.

I feel like quite a genius thanks to this forum. Ordered the part, $69 bucks shipped. and in the meantime I switched out my fog light relay so I now have AC. Worked great! I live on an island so DIY is key. Thanks!:reddance:

not the relay
 

Okay, so what if the light's blinking and it's NOT the relay? Thanks

I got the relay from O'Rilley's (sp?) for 15 bucks, Auto Zone had it for 15 also. Read the posts, try everything and try another dealer, that one sounds whacked, but i never trust the dealers anyway!

Have you tried a few different relays? Your part may be bad. I would try a few and do a few more searches on alternative problems before taking it in to a dealer or other mechanic.

If it is your compressor, it will be expensive, but you can also ask your mechanic if there are any "reman" or remanufactured parts that he could use instead of new. They will typically be about 1/2 to 2/3 of the cost of new Toyota parts.

You may get lucky and find a mechanic who could get you some salvaged parts too. Those will be parts from wrecked trucks, but can be a great deal if you search them out personally or pay a shop a small fee to do it.

Well i first tried all the identical relays in the box in that spot, none worked. Next tried the hitting thing on the concrete, didn't work. That same relay works in other spots, but does that necessarily mean it's NOT the relay? Is there something special about the 02028 part from the dealer that is worth spending the 73.81 on? I bought a replacement for nine dollars from O'Rielly's and it didn't work in that spot but worked in a different spot. A lot of ppl say that the 02022 and 02028 part numbers both cross ref to the same part in their store (Auto Zone, NAPA) so i don't know if it's the right part. I also tried replacing the air cabin filter, which some ppl have said worked for them, but didn't work for me. Thanks for the info on the compressor, my mechanic said he doesn't know and to take it to the stealer but i DON'T WANT TO, i'm very spoiled with my HONEST mechanic and don't trust anyone else!! Oh, well.