2005 Highlander AC blinks then blows hot air after driving through water

[FBurdine57]

The AC on my vehicle works fine when fine when the weather is dry but recently when I drive through ponding water the AC light starts to blink and then the AC starts blowing hot air. I've been to the dealership and they could find no codes nor can reproduce it. The service manager indicated the most likely causes were the AC relay or the compressor. I paid $185 to have the relay changed, but the next time it rained and I drove through water the condition repeated itself. I called the service manager who indicated they believed it was the compressor, which they said would run me between $500 to $1200 to replace. I get the feeling the dealership is "guessing" this one and believe it may be a case more of slipping belts. I've seen in other posts for other vehicles this appears to be the case but wondered if anyone had anything more on this?

[Johnny_5]

I would check the harness on the A/C clutch for water intrusion first. Might just need a new seal and a little dielectric grease.

[avconsult]

Or better, replace and/or tighten the A/C belt. If it slips (when water hits it) the AC computer will throw an error and of course it will blow warm air because the compressor isn't spinning.