A/C Light Blinking on 2003 LTD

[Bossman]

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!

 

[Toyota Nut]

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!!

 

[jasonmckinley]

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.

 

[sparky98250]

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.

 

[cpetrice]

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.

 

[skiwindjunkie]

Check the relay circled in the picture below, labeled MG CLT on the underside of the relay box cover. If it's white with 90987-02022 stamped on the side, that's likely the problem.

Replace it with part number 90987-02028.

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:

 

[grace505]

not the relay

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

 

[grace505]

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!

 

[bluduk15]

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

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.

 

[grace505]

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.

 

[pbbaca]

A/C light flashing

This was very good information. Thanks! I simply removed the relay and put it back in and the AC now works again. I will of course order a new relay as a backup.

 

[krasivaya]

Really appreciated the pic to go along with the explanation... My a/c light began blinking three days ago... The guys in this forum saved me a "grip"! I went to Napa, got the a/c Clutch control Relay, used their pliers, and got out of there in 3 mins! All for the sensational price of $16.57. Thanks a mil!

 

[Vanbcm]

Thank you so much....

I followed your instruction step by step. proves that some things still work when you bang them, reminds me of my parents old tube tv.

I remove the relay banged it on the ground put it back in and voila... AC works.

This forum is freaking awesome......


2004 V8 SR5 Sports 105K KMs

 

[t4r4wd]

so I have had the blinking a/c light in my 2003 and this thread helped a lot. Switched the grey relay (MG CLT) with the front fog light really, a/c works but my fog lights also work... is this normal?? any suggestions of why this happens and will it cause more problems?

 

[astro33]

Blinking Light 2003 4runner a/c problem

Read a thread about how to fix the a/c problem by changing the relay. Worked like a charm!!!! The relay cost a total of $25.00. It would have cot me an arm and a leg at the dealer. Picked up the relay, Which is OE Denso part at a place called Bap Geon. They ordered it for me and I had it within a couple of hours. A/C running great and you know i need it here in Houston with the summer heat coming up quickly.
Thanks for the help and saving me tons.
Henry

 

[mike304]

Blinking ac light

Mine did the same at 130k....you can use the relay for the rear dc outlet and switch it with the defective ac relay to get instant air...I don't use the rear dc port so it"s not much of an issue....great info here ..now i know whick updated part to get for the ac fix !!

 

[stjmarin]

This worked for me. I replaced the relay for $25 and my AC is working just fine. Thanks so much for a detailed post.

 

[jonesbettyjo]

2003 Toyota 4-Runner A/C Light Blinking

2003 Toyota 4-Runner A/C light started blinking and the a/c was blowing hot air. Happened suddenly but previously worked great. Only have 55,000 miles on car. After reading this website, with most of the check points being the MG CLT relay (90987-02022--updated part 90987-02028), this old blonde (me) got brave and found it on my vehicle. With some assistance, bought a relay, replaced it, and the vehicle works excellent again. This is the only thing that has happen to this vehicle. Only have dealership change oil & filter. Our motto is if it works--don't fix it--so we skip the maintenance checks. With your assistance I have saved lots of money. No telling what the Toyota Dealership would have charged us. THANKS EVERYONE for the suggestions & part numbers.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I Have a Digi-Key Z2001-ND replacement relay FS. I ordered as a spare in 01/2010 when I replaced the Mag Clutch Relay in my 04. Replacement was in my 04 when I traded it last month, over 4 years. Never an issue again.

$6 Shipped USPS First Class in padded envelope or $12 Shipped in USPS Small Flat-Rate Box. payment via Paypal.

I paid $8.27 in 2010, These go for over $9.50 ea before shipping and tax now.

Extra tab is already removed on this relay so it is plug and play when you get it. No fitment issues due to larger size in fuse/relay box. New relay is black old is white in pic.

Thanks for looking. PM Me.

 

[AU4Runner_03]

Worked like a charm...

I joined this forum specifically to say, "Thank you." Great information. Saved me tons of time and money.