Dealership can't even fix?

JohnWiggy

JohnWiggy

New member
So the other day I was driving home from work and I noticed on the freeway that every .5 to 1 mile I heard a real short "phst" noise (from engine) and I would lose some power for a half second or so. Did it all the way to and from work so I brought it to dealer cuz I'm car****ed and was worried I might do more damage. Took them forever to "find" what the deal was. They said it does it only with the A/C on and that the a/c compressor is drawing so much power that you feel it when it kicks on. They said they could replace but it cost a ton and probably wont fix problem?! They also mentioned the lift and tires (of course) saying that contributes to it. I'm pretty sure many people have these lifted with bigger tires than I do and don't have this problem. So what gives? What should I do? It's very noticeable and annoying. PLEASE HELP!:ybrick:
 
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Singtoe said:
Drive with the AC off and see if the problem goes away.
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You think they would lie? I will try when I get it back but I'm guessing they are right that it stops with a/c off. I've had lift/ tires for like 6-7 months and have used a/c for at least the past 3 and never had problem till now. This runner has been kept up in very good shape by previous owner (parents) who did all the services toyota called for (probably overboard) and religious oil changes also.
 
You think they would lie?
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Of course some dealerships might have incompetent or dishonest personnel. The reason you should drive around try to replicate the problem without the AC on is because it is a very simple troubleshooting trick.

Also, many of us have lifts and never had the issue you speak of.

If you are driving with the AC on and then you experience a power loss, quickly turn off the AC and see if the problem goes away within 30 seconds....
 
Have you checked your belts? Mine makes the same noise and then a slight power loss. But my belts need to be replaced BADLY! Just a thought.
 
my truck does it to. i never hear it with the a/c off i always assumed it was just the freon cooling the air my old car did it and i never had a problem. and i know this may sound like a lie but i hardly ever use it so yours may be louder then mine and may actually be broken but if my radio is on i can barely hear it only if the car is completely silent can i actually hear it every time it does it which is every couple minutes with the a/c on. i only ever use the a/c if i have someone else in the car otherwise its windows down for me:reddance:
 
Thanks for all the replies.. havent been on here for a couple days and just saw comments. It definitely only does it with the A/C on like the dealer brought to my attention. I had them run a full diagnostic test and no belts needed to be replaced... according to them anyways. Did have my spark plugs replaced, fuel filter, coolant flush new radiator cap, gasket leaking replaced oil cap. On the print out they gave me regarding issue is says "when a/c compressor cycles on and off there is a noticable decrease in engine power due to lift and large tires." Really?! They seriously had no suggestions...?

Testing the alternator is pretty simple to do right? Maybe my buddy has a multimeter. Wouldn't ya think that is something dealer would have checked? It seems to idle fine however...

funny-pictures-pony-mechanic.png
 
Tucson4runner said:
my truck does it to. i never hear it with the a/c off i always assumed it was just the freon cooling the air my old car did it and i never had a problem. and i know this may sound like a lie but i hardly ever use it so yours may be louder then mine and may actually be broken but if my radio is on i can barely hear it only if the car is completely silent can i actually hear it every time it does it which is every couple minutes with the a/c on. i only ever use the a/c if i have someone else in the car otherwise its windows down for me:reddance:
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No a/c? Man you are one crazy SOB.. haha jk. Yeah it's like the a/c just takes just enough power to make it hiccup. Are you running bigger tires?

Also I've really noticed a difference in top end power since the 33's. I'm turning the O/D off when I'm on the freeway. Do I possibly have the smaller gear ratio? Contributing factor?
 
JohnWiggy said:
Also I've really noticed a difference in top end power since the 33's. I'm turning the O/D off when I'm on the freeway. Do I possibly have the smaller gear ratio? Contributing factor?
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Maybe time to regear? Thinking that could be some of the problem.
 
JohnWiggy said:
No a/c? Man you are one crazy SOB.. haha jk. Yeah it's like the a/c just takes just enough power to make it hiccup. Are you running bigger tires?
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Im on some 31's (stock suspension) that were on here when i got the truck so I'm not sure how or if they reduced power. I can get up to 75 fairly easy but to get past 80 is have to floor it.
 
31's is what I thought these came off the lot with, 4x4's that is.

Was hoping I didn't need to regear yet but maybe I have too...
 
JohnWiggy said:
31's is what I thought these came off the lot with, 4x4's that is.

Was hoping I didn't need to regear yet but maybe I have too...
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265/70r16....31" tires

Someone please tell me how an engine would lose power just because of a lift and bigger tires, I'm just not getting it. I can see how it might seem that way but not how those things would actually drain engine power. Same engine, same power, different use of said power. Right? The only thing remotely fathomable is the difference in RPM might change the compressor's capability but I would likely be one pissed off puppy if I received a printout that said "when a/c compressor cycles on and off there is a noticable decrease in engine power due to lift and large tires." . I'm no mechanic and don't even know what I'm doing but that sounds like horsefeathers to me.

I took my truck in when the OBD II port wouldn't communicate with the state's machine. Stupidest mistake ever. The dealership told me I would have to replace all the wiring in the dash and fix the deckplate and ISR mods to make it work. I should have learned how, then fixed it myself like I ended up doing anyway thanks to some yotatech info. Turned out to be an easy fix with a little wire and solder. :/
 
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Sounds like the compressor's magnetic clutch is engaging and disengaging. That would pretty much be the sound you described although it shouldnt be real significantly noticible power-wise.

Does the a/c work well? Or is it so-so? Might be low on refrigerant.
 
JohnWiggy said:
31's is what I thought these came off the lot with, 4x4's that is.

Was hoping I didn't need to regear yet but maybe I have too...
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yeah your probably right. i bought the truck used and it had new tires on it just never knew if they were stock size or not. today on the way home i turned on the a/c even with nobody else in the car just so i could relay some info to you. i turned it on and punched it and i didnt feel any loss of power or even slower acceleration for that matter. i admit when i punch it with no a/c its slightly quicker but thats just the a/c i dont see any problem there. even shifted flawlessly. it was the first time ive ever punched it and i must admit i was impressed. hope this helps eliminate some questions.
 
265/70r16....31" tires
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FYI, you should not need a re-gear if you are running 31" tires.

These trucks came with 31" tires or 265/70/16 which is 1/10 of inch within a 31" tire.

I am running 275/70/16 which is about a 31.5" tire and am quite happy. I have more than enough clearance and haven't suffered a loss of power. In fact since I added intake, exhaust & headers my truck feels peppy.
 
brianemc2_42 said:
FYI, you should not need a re-gear if you are running 31" tires.

These trucks came with 31" tires or 265/70/16 which is 1/10 of inch within a 31" tire.

I am running 275/70/16 which is about a 31.5" tire and am quite happy. I have more than enough clearance and haven't suffered a loss of power. In fact since I added intake, exhaust & headers my truck feels peppy.
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He's running 33's. He was thinking since he was pretty sure stock 4x came with 31s having 33s shouldn't be a big enough difference to have problems with his a/c as the dealership was saying.

To me, logic and my icy cold a/c (33's, lift, stock gearing) say horsefeathers to the dealership!
 
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