AC Only Works on LO

[windomino]

Hello, I have an 06 runner SE and well the AC seems to only work when you select the temp button down to LO which is after 65.
Anything 65 or higher with the AC light on will throw out warm air.
Can anyone help out ? I know summer is over but would like to correct the problem now. Thanks to all in advance

 

[toto]

Keep in mind that in Auto mode, the temperature setting is not the temp of the air coming out, but the temp you want it to be inside the car. It's just like the thermostat in your house. If you set it to 65 but it's colder than 65 inside the car, then it will throw out heat in order to get up to 65.

The A/C light will be on all the time (unless you turn it off), and the system will use it as a dehumidifier even if it's pumping out warm air. The compressor can run as long as it's above freezing outside.

 

[windomino]

Thanks for the response, although I am not sure if I was understood. This was not happening before. I also have an 05 runner and its working properly. What I believe I am trying to say is that say I want the temp AC to be between 65 an 68 degrees the air comes out warm, but when I press the temp down to 65 then one more press to LO status then the AC air comes out cool.
I believe this is not normal as this was not happening before.

 

[shuly]

This is an easy fix!!! Assuming this is the problem. My stupid ?&*@ing dealer messed up so much when they installed the xm radio after I bought my truck. There is a thermostat which is to the lower right of the steering wheel. There are some slits right there which go to the thermocouple/thermister. Anyway...you can look behind (w/o pulling the panel) and see if it is plugged in! My dealer didn't plug in the thermostat, the 4WD HI/LO switch and the rear cig light adapter and left some bolts missing too.....this was a long time go and it is all fixed now.

Anyway the problem you are describing with the AC only putting out cold air is identical to mine. If the switch is plugged in to the harness then maybe the thermocouple is bad or the harness isn't plugged in at the other end....give that a look. I would bet that is the problem. You should be able to plug in the harness w/o having to take down the whole panel (I was).

 

[windomino]

Thanks for the help which makes sense. I will give it a shot in the next couple of days and answer back here.

 

[MadPainter]

Resurrecting an old thread, but I had this same problem with a recently purchased '07 4runner. Sure enough the wire had been pulled out of the thermostat for the AC thermostat. Plugged in and now AC works well at all reasonable temps, even with outside temps in the 50s.