Pesky Flashing A/C Light

[mazaniac]

I've seen mention of a TSB concerning the replacement of relay 90987-02022 with relay 90987-02028, but what about relay 90987-02020? We have an '03 Highlander and this past October I learned from my wife that the light had previously been blinking, but she would turn the A/C switch on and off until the light stopped blinking. Unfortunately, I was heading to my sister-in-law's funeral in Louisiana with our 3 and 5 year olds (hence the need for A/C) and ultimately after many hours in a dealership and many dollars spent on a new control unit (55904-48210), finally was back on my merry way with working A/C. Fast forward to today and the wife tells me the A/C isn't working and the light is blinking again . . .

Is the 90987-02020 relay a known problem or is there something else I need to look for (we are wayyyyyyyyyy out of warranty?

[dorman68]

My buddy's Camry had the same issue. He replaced the AC relay and all is well, this is a very common problem according to the local Toyota parts guy.

[mazaniac]

Yeah, I've been reading the same thing, but everything I've seen only mentions relay 90987-02022. I'm hopeful someone out there has some knowledge of other relays being a problem as well.

[LifeTech]

I have seen a simple thing like a dirty and clogged Cabin filter that restricts A/C air flow cause the flashing A/C light button. It is designed to do this when there is air flow restriction. My Avalon had this condition and the cabin filter caused it. A simple fix.

After reading your issue... it's a possibililty. Just some ideas ...thinking "out of the box".
Also , the High pressure switch may be the problem as well. It is often overlooked by many techs. But the Toy Service manual directs one to this switch in the Toy diagnostic flow chart.


Good luck
LT

[tobybrntt]

My a/c keeps kicking off and the a/c light starts flashing. It has been in a wreck and that voided the warranty. I had the system vacumed out and refilled and I replaced the relay. Still has the same problem. Any ideas? Could the new relay be bad too? Any help would be awsome. Thanks 08 4.7L (Also, do these things have dryers? I cant find one.)

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by mazaniac

I've seen mention of a TSB concerning the replacement of relay 90987-02022 with relay 90987-02028, but what about relay 90987-02020? We have an '03 Highlander and this past October I learned from my wife that the light had previously been blinking, but she would turn the A/C switch on and off until the light stopped blinking. Unfortunately, I was heading to my sister-in-law's funeral in Louisiana with our 3 and 5 year olds (hence the need for A/C) and ultimately after many hours in a dealership and many dollars spent on a new control unit (55904-48210), finally was back on my merry way with working A/C. Fast forward to today and the wife tells me the A/C isn't working and the light is blinking again . . .

Is the 90987-02020 relay a known problem or is there something else I need to look for (we are wayyyyyyyyyy out of warranty?

The control unit is not reponsible for the flashing A/C light. Never was.

Stealership strikes again.

I will assume yu don't have a cabin filter because that was discussed already? So that is not your problem.
The high pressure switch was checked RIGHT?

If you suspect a relay.. just buy it and swap it out yourself...right. Cheaper alternative. Easier than changing a fuse. Yu just need to locate it...that's all.

Where is this TSB that is specific for your 03 HL?? I have not seen it.

What is this TSB date and number? Yu did ask the dealer about it. They should have printed it for yu at request.

BTW. Most TSB's are done free of charge only within the warranty period. Some have had luck with TMS doing it off warranty but that depends on the issue and how loud yu are heard by TMS. Only they can direct a TSB to be done by a Dealer while off warranty.
Anyway, if a TSB truly exists for this issue for your MY HL get your hands on it first before yu do anything else.

I assume that when the A/C does work it is nice a cold? A temp guage at the center vent at max should show at least 40 deg. F. If any warmer then yu may need a leak check , recovery and refill with correct ratio of proper oil and 134A refrigerant.

Yu can check the refrigerant level at the sight glass on the high pressure line near the front radiator while the A/C is at max. There should be little to no air bubbles while a/c compressor clutch is engaged. It should be clear for the most part as the refrigerant passes through it.

Hope I did not confuse yu here. I wanted to give yu the whole shebang regarding A/C's.


LT

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by tobybrntt

My a/c keeps kicking off and the a/c light starts flashing. It has been in a wreck and that voided the warranty. I had the system vacumed out and refilled and I replaced the relay. Still has the same problem. Any ideas? Could the new relay be bad too? Any help would be awsome. Thanks 08 4.7L (Also, do these things have dryers? I cant find one.)

The dryer or sometimes called the filter is usually at or near the High pressure switch. Depending on the vehicl, it is usually near the firewall pass. side. This can vary significantly based on year and design. I have seen them at the radiator support.

Please check the high pressure switch .
In all the Toys I have owned since '81 this switch has been the most commonly replaced by me.

LT

[edwardh1]

some part of the v6 ac (filter?) seems to me awfull close to the exhaust manifold - on front of the engine. I bet it picks up lots of heat