A/C light flashing??

[Jeremy03Sport]

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.

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

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

 

[Bossman]

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.

 

[kpasa1]

Location?

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???

 

[PHST]

Try to clean the filter

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.

 

[overlyunderme]

Thanks for the recommendation of banging the relay against something. Wife's 2004 had the blinking A/C light problem and intermitent cooling. Did this trick yesterday and it works again. Hopefully, it will last for 1 more month before we trade it in.

 

[kyea001]

How to find the relay?

Oh wow, hope I'm doin' this right...just joined forum! My A/C quit working too, located the relay with the help of you folks.

The dealer wanted to charge me $60.00 bucks to diagnose the problem because the svc mgr said the relay does lots more than control the A/C.

Using the info you super folks provided, I pulled the relay, than reinserted it and .... lo and behold, it must have had dirty contacts because for 2 months now, no problemo's.

Ya'll are way too kewl...thx so much for the help...!

Could somebody tell me where to find the relay and also let me know how to take out the bad one if it's not self explanatory?
Thanks

 

[kyea001]

How to find the relay?

Oh wow, hope I'm doin' this right...just joined forum! My A/C quit working too, located the relay with the help of you folks.

The dealer wanted to charge me $60.00 bucks to diagnose the problem because the svc mgr said the relay does lots more than control the A/C.

Using the info you super folks provided, I pulled the relay, than reinserted it and .... lo and behold, it must have had dirty contacts because for 2 months now, no problemo's.

Ya'll are way too kewl...thx so much for the help...!

Could somebody tell me where to find the relay and also let me know how to take out the bad one if it's not self explanatory?
Thanks

 

[Bossman]

Could somebody tell me where to find the relay and also let me know how to take out the bad one if it's not self explanatory?
Thanks

The relay is located in the engine compartment fuse box. Check your owner's manual for exact location of this relay (it will give you the short-form name of the relay, then you can check the diagram on the underside of the fuse box cover).

Installation/removal of the relay is just like a fuse - push in or pull out. You may need to pull some of the surrounding fuses/relays to get a good grip on it.

On install, make sure it is pushed in all the way.

 

[a77boy]

The relay will be labeled MGTCLUTCH which stands for magnetic clutch..

Here is a link for the relay at Amazon,, much cheaper than the $60 the dealer wants to charge you

Amazon.com: Four Seasons 35874 Standard Relay: Automotive

 

[g2gam]

a/c wont blow and its not the relay

I swapped out the fog relay with the accluth so its not this but my a/c wont blow any air unless I am driving fast. Then I feel it coming through but not working normally. Any ideas?

 

[grace505]

NOT the relay

So what if the AC light's blinking but it's NOT the relay? I pulled it out and swapped it with the dome light and fog light one, but no dice. Any other ideas? Thanks

 

[debbiegi]

flashing ac light, blowing hot air

You guys are the BEST!!! From reading your posts on the flashing AC light, I went out...pulled out the relay...tapped on the driveway and WELLAH!!!! I also followed the link and ordered a new one on Amazon for $9.99!!! Thanks a million!!! I LOVE my 2003 4runner. 80k and this is the first issue I have had!

 

[LOCOBEAR]

Try banging it 1st

Mechanical relay as far as I know. I managed to take apart the relay next to it, EFI i think. It is a little different, but It is definetly mechanical. The magnetic clutch relay should be the same. As stated before, I simply banged it on my counter top and it has been working for two months.

Thank you 77, was about to try to find online to buy, but when scrolling for the message I saw yours and tried it and Hells Bells it worked ! Will keep you all updated on how long it keeps working this way. These forums are the best usage I've gotten out of the Internet. Again, Thank you all !
Locobear

 

[Navpunk]

Stupid

So I read the first couple pages of this forum with delight, given my A/C light had started to flash at 153K miles on my '03. Went to Advance Auto and picked up a 2028 relay for a mere $14 and installed. It worked for a few minutes then quit again. I would restart the A/C, sometimes it would work other times not, but only for a few minutes each attempt. Went to a different Advance store where they had the more expensive and better reviewed 2028 relay for $20...bought and installed. Same results.

At this point I'm thinking there's something wrong with my A/C's electrical system that is shorting these brand new relays out. Get back on this forum and read through page six, where I see the fuse diagram Drmorbius posted. I thought to myself "That doesn't look like the relay I've been replacing. I've been replacing the third, not the middle." So I go out and discover that, in both replacements, I've swapped the AC 115V Inverter relay. I guess my short attention span stopped at AC.

Anyhow, replaced the correct magnetic clutch relay and what do you know...it worked.

I'm stupid. Thankfully you guys aren't!

You guys are amazing, as always! Thanks!!!!

P.S. - Quit dissin' the fog lights...they look bada$$!

Navpunk

 

[Familygreasemonkey]

RE: A/C light flashing 2003 Toyota Camry

Well have to say thanks to all who took the time to share the AWESOME Info in regards to the A/C Flashing light thing.
I did check the Cabin fliter and it needed to be replaced, replaced for $15
I also puled my Mag-Clt Relay Toyota # 90987-02022 seeing it was the Relay in question in Toyota Service Bullentin EL011-05. I replaced it with a Denso Replacement WO133-1762256 for $30
Happy to report it's a fix.
The A/C is as cold as it was when new.
Thanks for all who took the time to help others.
I also made a connection to buy these Relays for $25 if I buy 12 or more at once.If anyone needs them rather than get taken the over the coals, give me a shout. Title email, Familygreasemonkey I need help.
send it to [email protected]
the cost of shipping and the relay I bet will be 60% to 80% cheaper than the dealer.
Thanks again.
FGM

 

[TRDCal]

Bump for a good thread...my light started blinking last week. Took my relay out today, sure enough its the bad part # but I tapped it on the driveway and now it works great! I'll replace it next time it fails.

 

[lenymendoza]

Having the same problem with my '03. Called the dealer, they said bring it in to be checked. I called the parts dept, they didn't stock relay and it would take 2-3 days to get one it. Called the service dept back, asked if they would pre-order relay so I could get it fixed in ONE trip. They said NO, they wouldn't pre-order part, they had to check it out first. Told them about TSB, they still wouldn't pre-order relay (company policy). Since I am already over my 36K warranty, and will have to pay $50.00 deductable anyway, I canceled service appt and ordered one from Patrznet for $48.81 and I will install it myself.

While checking the relay in the relay/fuse box under the hood, I noticed that there were 5 other identical relays used for other systems. I found one for the FR FOG (Front Fog lights) which I don't HAVE to use, and switched them. The A/C now works, no flashing dash indicator. When the new relay arrives, I'll put it in and return the fog light relay to its normal spot.

FYI; The other relays that use the 90987-02022 relay in my '03 are'

#2, FR FOG (front fog lights)
#7, C/OPN (works with fuel pump relay)
#8, DOME (dome light)
#9, EFI (probably electronic fuel injection)
#10, A/F HEATER (Air/fuel ratio sensor)

The relay location is on the bottom of the relay box cover when you remove it to access the relays.

So, If you REALLY need your A/C you can use the FR FOG (if you have fog lights) or the DOME relays in a pinch until you can order the new A/C relay.

PS: After checking wiring diagram manual, I would probably not want to use the DOME relay, it appears to be tied into a lot of interior functions including the theft deterrent system. So the Front Fog relay looks to be the only one you could safely use if needed.

I searched for the "FR FOG" relay but could not find one. Maybe my 4 runner did not come with it. Socket is empty. So I found the "DOME" relay and switched it with the "MG CLT" relay. AC is now working but the dome lights does not work anymore. I have the part # of the replacement relay which I need to buy. Does anybody know where I can buy it the cheapest. Thanks for all the tips guys, I just saved $200.

 

[TRDCal]

I searched for the "FR FOG" relay but could not find one. Maybe my 4 runner did not come with it. Socket is empty. So I found the "DOME" relay and switched it with the "MG CLT" relay. AC is now working but the dome lights does not work anymore. I have the part # of the replacement relay which I need to buy. Does anybody know where I can buy it the cheapest. Thanks for all the tips guys, I just saved $200.

This was 8 posts back....

The relay will be labeled MGTCLUTCH which stands for magnetic clutch..

Here is a link for the relay at Amazon,, much cheaper than the $60 the dealer wants to charge you

Amazon.com: Four Seasons 35874 Standard Relay: Automotive

 

[rsteurer]

After a year of owning my 04 with 110K noticed the light begin to flash after a long 750 mile trip back from FL to Nashville in June. I just figured after driving all day in 95 degree heat it was somehow "overheating" or getting "overworked" and as a safety precaution turned it self off? Any who, it has been happening more and more the past month or so where within a few minutes it begins to blink.

Searched for it and found this thread. Tried taking it out and banging it against something but that seem to not work. So only $15 later replaced it with a new one from Advance Auto!! Thanks so much for this forum and this thread!!!

BTW though: If I didn't read where it was the same relay as the fog lights, I don't think the girl at the counter would have ever pulled up my part. I gave her the replacement part number but couldn't find it. ( I guess that is Toyota's part number) Then I told her it's the relay to the magnetic clutch fan - still couldnt' find it. I told her to look up the fog relay and bingo! So I don't know if it was her lack of skills (she seemed new) or they don't show a magnetic clutch fan relay in their systems. Nonetheless I popped it in and I was good to go.

Thanks everyone!!