Air conditioning problem in 1998 Camry

[twocamrys]

The air conditioning in my 1998 Camry is very quirky. When I turn on the air conditioning, the AC button flashes instead of just turning red. When the button is flashing, warm air is coming out of the vents. If I turn the AC on and off several times, the AC button will eventually stop flashing and cool air will come out of the vents. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? I am tired of having to go through this every time I want to use the air conditioning.

[new echo owner]

When the light is flashing it usually means there is something is not right with the system, possibly the compressor is not turning. Check the mag clutch relay, most common problem.

N.E.O.