Did a search and read some folks with 03s were having the same problem as i am....blinking ac light, nothing but warm air. is the relay fix also applicable for 02s? this isnt my vehicle and have never worked on it before so am not sure how the camry years work.
if it is the relay, would benefit from some pointers on where the relay is located and how to get the thing out (i broke a relay on my truck trying to get one out).

many thanks

You need an a/c compressor clutch relay, a very common failure with Toyotas.

I had the same problem with my lst generation Tundra and it was tell me that it needs to be recharged with freon because it is gone. Have service provider check for leaks and compressor failure. Good luck!

The most common issue we have is a compressor failure. There is a speed sensor in the compressor that sends a rpm signal to the A/C amplifier which compares this to the engine rpm, if there is a difference of 200rpm or more the a/c amplifier shuts off the compressor and starts to flash the light. It can be tested with an oscilloscope to check the pattern of the compressor sensor and can be checked with a DVOM (OHM SCALE). When a compressor is failing it's rpms will vary and the speed sensor can detect this, even if the a/c seems to be functioning properly at times.
You can check CODES with one of the attachments I have provided. This circuit does not always set a code and usually you need an oscilliscope to find this issue.
These pictures are from a 2002 Camry 4 cylinder ,a/c compressor sensor from 2 weeks ago. The a/c in this car would blow ice cold MOST of the time, but intermitantly if you drove it and then shut it off for 15-30 minutes then tried to use it again, it would flash the light just about everytime. The compressor was starting to fail internally and the oscilliscope helped us find the problem.
Most dealers have an oscilliscope, but using the pdf below you can try to check codes.

Can you not replace the lock sensor individually? The only way I've been told is to get a new compressor.

Can you not replace the lock sensor individually? The only way I've been told is to get a new compressor.
yOU CAN ONLY BUY THE SENSOR SEPERATLY IN A V6.

When the A/C light flashes it is sensing a speed problem in the compressor, replacing the sensor usually NEVER fixes the issue.
A loose belt, or a belt that is to tight or a compressor clutch that is slipping or an internal failure in the compressor can cause the light to flash and that sensor is doing it's job by flashing to tell you there is a problem.

There is no diagnosis in the repair manual for this flashing light, but it the belt tension is ok and you take the A/C clutch apart and look at it and there are no wear or burn marks, the most of the time it needs a compressor.

I found a used compressor with 30k on it, 90 day warranty for $300. Two hundred to install. Any thoughts?

The a/c system holds 4.1oz (+ or -).5oz

Drain the old compressor and measure the amount of oil that comes out.

Then Drain the used (new) compressor and add new oil back to the used(new) compressor to equal the amount of oil removed from the old compressor. I would add.5oz to be safe.

Be sure to use ND−OIL8 for compressor oil.

you need an updated A/C MAGNETIC CLUTCH RELAY. old style is white and new style is grayish.