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AC issue diagnosis. Blinking light.

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by JoeyD87, Jul 2, 2019.

  1. Jul 2, 2019 at 12:22 PM
    #1
    JoeyD87

    JoeyD87 [OP] New Member

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    Yesterday my AC went out as I was driving. I looked down and the LED light on the AC switch was blinking. I turned it off and checked it out today when the motor was cooled off. I could turn the compressor by hand, it was smooth and had slight resistance that keeps it from free spinning. I observed the clutch engaging with the truck running and switch being turned on. It turned slow, much slower than the pulley. The light would start blinking after a few seconds. When I grab the front of the unit, the black part has a slight bit of movement or play (about 1-2 mm), not sure if this is normal. I checked the plug connectors on the compressor and the ground wire on top seems to be solid. What would you suggest I check out next? I thought about swapping the mag clutch relay but didn’t want to start spending money before I explored all my options. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Jul 2, 2019 at 12:23 PM
    #2
    seniramsu

    seniramsu Pro Runnin

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    Yes sur, I had the same thing. It was the relay for mine. It would blow cold for about 30 sec then hot and start blinking.
     
  3. Jul 2, 2019 at 12:31 PM
    #3
    JoeyD87

    JoeyD87 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks!! Is your Truck close by? I’m curious how much resistance is normal on the compressor. It never fully engages enough to ever get cold, only 2-3 seconds. Bad relays typically allow it to work for longer like yours before they kick out.
     
  4. Jul 2, 2019 at 2:22 PM
    #4
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    I had something similar in a 4runner - totally freaked out - almost bought a new vehicle since my mom was visiting and she hates being too hot. Googled it, someone said to change the AC relay... 5 minutes and $10 later, I had AC back.

    The clutch could be disengaging for a crap ton of reasons... I'd change the relay since that's the easiest and cheapest thing to try. After that you're going to need a set of gauges to start digging around for the problem
     
    Trooper2 likes this.
  5. Mar 11, 2020 at 2:34 PM
    #5
    Michaelb1100

    Michaelb1100 New Member

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    I have had this same problem, I am now on my 3rd switch, 2 from Autozone, 1 from O'riely's and they are only lasting about 3 - 4 weeks. Anyone having the same issue with it happening more than once?
     
  6. Mar 11, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    TechWrench

    TechWrench New Member

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    Do you mean switch, or the Mag clutch relay?
     
  7. Mar 12, 2020 at 3:06 AM
    #7
    Michaelb1100

    Michaelb1100 New Member

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    I am guessing its the relay, haven't replaced the switch yet.Guess I can try that next.
     
  8. Mar 12, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    TechWrench

    TechWrench New Member

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    OK, just to be sure I understand you correctly, you have replaced the Mag Clutch relay in the fuse box under the hood three times in the last three months?
     
  9. Mar 12, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #9
    Michaelb1100

    Michaelb1100 New Member

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    Yep, I have. I just talked to my buddy and he is gonna look at it tomorrow, he is a mechanic.
     
  10. Mar 25, 2021 at 7:47 AM
    #10
    Dalandshark

    Dalandshark Infected with 5G

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    Did you ever figure this out? The mag clutch relay is a special one... don’t think can be purchase from autozone.
     
  11. Nov 11, 2021 at 4:34 PM
    #11
    Howdywood

    Howdywood New Member

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    So where is this relay little easily replaced?
     
  12. Apr 15, 2022 at 4:36 PM
    #12
    SilverCrew

    SilverCrew New Member

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    All of the symptoms and not the relay (unfortunately)…. AC kicks on for seconds and light flashes and so on like above posts. So, I didn’t do any investigation based on all of the previous posts describing my issue to the T. New relay shows up and I smile briefly…. Straight to the engine bay I go against my wife’s wishes. Disappointment! My neighbor (also a Tundra owner) shows up. I asked him to press the AC button while I was up front and noticed very tiny sparks at the pulley as it briefly engaged. Assuming the compressor is seized. Anyone else experienced this? Any option other than replace?
     
  13. Apr 16, 2022 at 7:29 AM
    #13
    63spyder

    63spyder New Member

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    My 2008 with 400000 miles was doing the same thing, I replaced the relay, no change. Took it to toyota and had them diagnose it ,they told me it was the after market relay, nope. I finally traced it to the ac clutch. It had burned the magnetic coil . Seems you can't buy the ac clutch from Toyota, but you can it on Amazon. Two years later still works great
     
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  14. Aug 20, 2022 at 6:25 PM
    #14
    Niner

    Niner New Member

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    Mine is doing as described above with blowing cold for a minute and then hot with blinking light. The only difference that no one else mentioned experiencing is a loud high pitched noise accompanying the blinking and hot air. Seized compressor??
     
  15. Aug 20, 2022 at 6:39 PM
    #15
    landphil

    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    Sounds likely. With the engine shut off, you should be able to rotate the front plate of the compressor clutch (and turn the compressor) by hand, it should move smoothly with a bit of resistance.
     
    Niner[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Aug 20, 2022 at 7:02 PM
    #16
    Niner

    Niner New Member

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    landphil likes this.

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