Anyone else having A/C issues?

The hits just keep on coming for me and this cursed Tundra. The AC didn't work when I bought the truck and it took five weeks to get back from the shop. Well, today something has gone wrong again. Clearly, it's freezing for some reason......or, maybe a blizzard feature is new with the 22. I tried to post a video for entertainment value, but don't know how. The current problem started after being on the highway about 2 hours. The cab started getting warmer and warmer and we realized the vents had stopped blowing. We stopped to eat and when we got back in small pieces of ice (looked just like a blizzard) blew out of one vent for a few seconds; then no more air. I don't know how they could be related, but ironically, the front sensors also stopped working during this time. Granted, I was driving in the rain, so maybe that caused that issue, no idea. I didn't clean them off or do anything and they now seem to be working.

I can't believe I am having a second and different issue with the AC, anyone else experiencing anything?

 

Since you already had problems with the A/C and had parts replaced at the dealership, this first thing I would look at is a low refrigerant level in your system. This is only one thing that can cause freezing, but in my opinion, the most likely. Good luck.

Also, if you want to post vids here, you have to first upload it to YouTube/Rumble etc., then post a link to the vid here.

 

Then I guess the question would be why is the refrigerant low? The work done on the AC previously was done in March or so, I didn't just pick it up from service.

 

Pretty difficult to diagnose a problem like you're having with complete certainty as there can be a few reasons for the freezing condition. Is the A/C blowing cold now after you had this problem earlier?

 

Low refrigerant leads to icing on the condenser coils and leads to a freeze-up of the system. You may have a slow leak in the condenser that is causing your issue. Toyota needs to fix it under warranty.

 

The initial problem was the blower would work but the air wouldn't get cold. It was determined there was a leak and the vehicle had no refrigerant upon deliver; I don't recall the name of the part they had to replace. This time it seems like the air is cold (at least cool, hard to tell without it blowing) but it won't blow.

I have an appointment to drop it off Tuesday. I was just wondering if anyone else was having any issues, if so what they were. Apparently, I was lucky enough to be the first in the country with the initial air condition problem, lol. Had the engineers and whatnot flying from Texas.

 

When an automotive A/C freezes up, it sometimes can be indicative of low refrigerant. However, many times...ESPECIALLY when it occurs following other A/C work...it's because of moisture in the A/C system. The A/C is a completely sealed system. The only thing that should be inside the lines are Refrigerant, Oil, and (sometimes) leak detection dye if the OE calls for that.

When an A/C system is opened up to atmosphere for the replacement of any component then it allows moisture in. Especially, in humid areas. When recharging the system, before the new refrigerant goes in, they're supposed to put the entire A/C system under a solid vacuum to pull out any moisture. Best practice is maintain that vacuum for several minutes. If they half-a$$ed that portion of the job, which happens more than you'd realize, then moisture is in there.

Depending on the amount of moisture in there...then it could also lead to low refrigerant. Which would compound the problem further.

Either way...the only course of action is to take it back to your dealer. Or, take it to a different Toyota dealer if that's an option. I'm not a betting man, but I'd be willing to put money down that this is just a pi$$ poor install job by the technician.

 

Interesting, thanks for the reply; definitely a field that I know nothing about. Hypothetically, if that is the issue, is that something that could take months to be seen or would I noticed that when I picked it up back in March or so?

And yes, I'm definitely trying a different dealership. I'm pretty fed up dealing with the one I was using. I can't help but wonder if they really needed to keep the vehicle as long as they have the couple times that it's been in for service (7 weeks total).

 

When the issue becomes noticeable is really dependent on a number of variables. I.E. The amount of moisture, how long and how often you run the a/c, etc.

If the moisture present in the system is a relatively small amount, then only noticing it now after running the A/C for 2+ hours in one shot would make sense. With a small amount of moisture, it likely wouldn't creep up on short trips.

If this is truly the problem, then all they'll need to do is evacuate the system and recharge it. Shouldn't be a multi-day job. More like a couple of hours.

Things the might compound the issue might be a bad fitting or a pinhole leak in a line that is opening up the system to atmosphere, which would require parts. They should troubleshoot it first by measuring the pressure, and if it's low then UV dye test it for a leak. If it the pressure reads normal...it's likely moisture.

 

Thanks! ....this forum helps me sound like I know my head from my ass when I take it in, lol. I really don't when it comes to vehicle related stuff though. Sounding like I knew all about tech-stream is how I got them to make my desired changes after I was initially told no by the dealership.

 

You'll be a grizzled mechanical veteran in no time.

 

My new 22 SR5 CM 4x4 Tundra is currently at a dealership with AC problems. Started out with what felt like reduced cooling ability, then got worse. I decided to simply look at the condenser with hood open and could easily see what looked like dirt build up from oil leaks at both condenser connections. Took the truck to dealership last Saturday and then again yesterday, truck is still at dealership. Don’t want to go into the back and forth between dealership. Calling Toyota warranty department today to get them involved. Truck isn’t even two months old.

 

Man, I hate it for you. I hope you don't experience the five weeks of back and forth that I had to endure! Everyone has had different experiences, even I have received a mixed bag myself from them, but the only thing that got my truck finally repaired (on the first AC issue) was getting a case manager involved. I'd give them five days or so and if it's still up in the air, start calling people.

 

My AC has been repaired, had to wait a bit because of back ordered part but dealership did an excellent job once part showed up. Hard to beat a Toyota.
Blayne