PSA: Check if your cabin AC sensors are dirty

[TejasRunner01]

Hey everyone, today I checked my cabin ac sensors and they were filthy.. this can cause your AC system to not work properly. I just cleaned it off with a soft towel. There is probably a proper sensor cleaner. Took about 10 minutes and removing 2, 10mm bolts. Good luck!

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[AuSeeker]

Hey everyone, today I checked my cabin ac sensors and they were filthy.. this can cause your AC system to not work properly. I just cleaned it off with a soft towel. There is probably a proper sensor cleaner. Took about 10 minutes and removing 2, 10mm bolts. Good luck!

Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

Thanks for posting this, many are not aware that this is a maintenance item to keep the HVAC system working well.

Also your photos are very helpful, I don't recall seeing any other photos of the cabin temperature sensor and where it's located, they will help others here know where it is and what it looks like.

I use a small shop vac with a brush attachment which usually clean it rather well, just hold on to it tightly.

 

[TejasRunner01]

Thanks for posting this, many are not aware that this is a maintenance item to keep the HVAC system working well.



Also your photos are very helpful, I don't recall seeing any other photos of the cabin temperature sensor and where it's located, they will help others here know where it is and what it looks like.



I use a small shop vac with a brush attachment which usually clean it rather well, just hold on to it tightly.

It is great to contribute to this community that has helped me so much over the years! I'd suggest anyone who is having HVAC problems to first look into cleaning this sensor.

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[Drcoffee]

Might be quicker to blast it with compressed air. But good idea. Thx

 

[Ventil8]

Coming up on year 16 with my 4Runner and this is the 1st time I'll be doing this. Didn't know that was a sensor for the AC. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Flurple Slurp]

huh, never knew this. Will definitely clean it next time I have the lower dash panel off... Thanks for the PSA!

 

[Bluesky 07]

Thanks for sharing this. The sensor has never been cleaned on my '07 that I know of (I bought it in 2014). I'll be checking it soon.

 

[Nobody Special]

Coming up on year 16 with my 4Runner and this is the 1st time I'll be doing this. Didn't know that was a sensor for the AC. Thanks for the advice.

Get ready for your air to stop working!:nod:


Kidding.
Or maybe not. :spy:

 

[Bluesky 07]

I’ll just admit that after reading this thread, wondering how dirty my sensor might be was going to bother me until I checked. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it might be, just a coating of dirt that was easily blown away with some compressed air.

 

[randy88fj62]

Isn't this sensor only for the auto function on the HVAC system?

 

[TejasRunner01]

I was under the impression that this also will effect the AC compressor cycling but I do not know that for sure. Thanks for the knowledge!

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[GG5thGen]

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Quiero]

I had my dash taken apart and put back together by a shop (replaced the evap core) and the auto climate control reads several degrees off ever since. Could this be the reason why?

 

[TejasRunner01]

I had my dash taken apart and put back together by a shop (replaced the evap core) and the auto climate control reads several degrees off ever since. Could this be the reason why?

It certainly wouldn't hurt to clean it and try seeing if it reads properly again!

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[Hunter61]

Thanks, I never knew that sensor existed. My AC has been a little weak for a while so I'll need to check that out but since it's winter I won't get to it for several months.

 

[Quiero]

I'm a bit confused. Can anyone take a picture of which two 10mm bolts need to be removed? It looks like the trim ring around the ignition switch is removed in OP's pics as well. Thank you!

 

[Bluesky 07]

I'm a bit confused. Can anyone take a picture of which two 10mm bolts need to be removed? It looks like the trim ring around the ignition switch is removed in OP's pics as well. Thank you!

These two (image from @J.A.’s site w/ my markup) and yes, the ignition trim ring will pop off. Just press it back in when you’re done using the tab & cutout to line it up.

 

[TejasRunner01]

I'm a bit confused. Can anyone take a picture of which two 10mm bolts need to be removed? It looks like the trim ring around the ignition switch is removed in OP's pics as well. Thank you!

Oh that little ring just pops right out Quiero. When I removed those 10mm bolts and brought the lower dash piece out, it came off.

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[WarChild]

Very good to know. Thank you!

 

[[email protected]]

Hi folks,

2005 4runner Limited. I had the dash opened up to install a reverse camera. Since then my A/C and heat do not work on Auto. No matter what temperature I choose, it blows cold air on the highest fan setting. Only switches to heat if I raise the temperature past 85dF to HIGH.

Could this be a dirty/bad sensor? Or perhaps I disconnected or damaged something?

Thanks!
Chaz