2009 Camry Recirculate Button on the A/C Issue - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Stocktrader486 · 12-09-2010, 07:19 PM

Hi everyone I have an 09 camry with 35K miles on it.

I have had this problem checked and am assured that this is the way the air condition is supposed to function but I have a nagging feeling that it is NOT supposed to function this way...but who knows. The last dealer I had check it says they went all the way up to Toyota Corporate to Verify my A/C's functionality.

Issue:

When driving the car (I live in Florida) if the Temperature is on ANYTHING but MAX A/C and I have the Air condition Strength set to OFF.... the Recirculate (keeping only inside air) button automatically turns itself off.... lending itself to outside air coming through the vents even if the Strength is set to the Off mode.

This is particularly annoying when it happens and you are satisified with the internal temp of the car without adjustments.

Now, you all will notice I said any temperature besides MAXAC. Now keeping the temperature to MaxAC does KEEP the recirculate button ON most of the times (when the A/C strength setting is on off as well)... HOWEVER, in FLorida at winter time this WORKAROUND does not seem to work anymore...because the temperature is lower outside in the 30's to 50's.

So I would imagine that outside of Florida in a Camry this would be partifularly annoying when not wanting to bring any outside air into the car when driving.

Thoughts? Please provide immediately! Thank you.

Dave-o · 12-09-2010, 09:20 PM

um, if you want the recirculate button to stay on, hold it for 5 seconds

***bandit*** · 12-09-2010, 09:26 PM

Its normal and has been discussed on the forums with a bit of searching

2007 Camry XLE Recirculate Button
Air intake selector (RECIRCULATE/FRESH)
problem with my new 07 camry heater/ac

In other words, the recirculate will turn itself off. You'll need to hold it down for about 2-5 sec to override this "feature."

Tech1984 · 12-09-2010, 09:46 PM

The more you keep it on recirc, the more chance of mold build up and smell coming from the evap.
Here in NC, fresh air is what's mostly used. Just like my '10 Camry default setting was set to. (same as yours)
When the pollen sets in, and the humid days are upon us, recirc is the way to go. But ALWAYS set back to fresh when parked so the evap gets some outside air to dry.

Stocktrader486 · 12-10-2010, 04:58 PM

hmm okay, I'll let the air come in every once in a while. just figured since I do open windows at times that I wouldn't have an issue...

I am in FLorida btw.

So holding the recirculate button for 2-5 seconds overrides this feature? Does this work on any temperature setting? And I am guessing the override only works for that trip? (meaning after you turn your car off and restart you would need to do it again)

***bandit*** · 12-10-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocktrader486

hmm okay, I'll let the air come in every once in a while. just figured since I do open windows at times that I wouldn't have an issue...

I am in FLorida btw.

So holding the recirculate button for 2-5 seconds overrides this feature? Does this work on any temperature setting? And I am guessing the override only works for that trip? (meaning after you turn your car off and restart you would need to do it again)

Its not permanent so you'll have to do it each time you start the car

MJZ · 12-10-2010, 05:58 PM

Recirculate sounds nasty...

I only use recirculate when travelling through areas of poor air quality, like tunnels and behind trucks.

Otherwise, it's useless and gross to use.

Tech1984 · 12-10-2010, 06:27 PM

Exactly, MJZ! Recirculate was put there for just that, and to cool the cabin down rapidly on the hot days sitting in the sun.
After you start getting that chill, you raise the temp just a bit and recirc switches to fresh automatically.
Smart thinking on Toyota's part.

my .02

molson.david · 12-11-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

So holding the recirculate button for 2-5 seconds overrides this feature? Does this work on any temperature setting? And I am guessing the override only works for that trip? (meaning after you turn your car off and restart you would need to do it again)

Its not permanent so you'll have to do it each time you start the car

mine stays on recirculating even after engine has been turned off...
but if I switch modes-goes off.

Stocktrader486 · 12-11-2010, 01:02 PM

um Recirculate isn't nasty... in fact when you drive on a HIGHway and you are driving near trucks with their exhaust do you want to breathe in that crap?

It is true you should get air in your car sometimes but not all the times especially not in those situations, you would be breathing in pollutants directly.

Also, my recirculate question was MAINLY for when you want to have the AIR in the off Setting so you don't want air coming in that is cold or hot if you are satisfied with the internal car temp...

molson.david · 12-11-2010, 01:55 PM

I'm driving with recirculating on almost all the time too. ventilating AC only after use in hot weather. don't like dust and smell of the road-thanks to toyota for cabin filter.

***judge34411*** · 12-11-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-o

um, if you want the recirculate button to stay on, hold it for 5 seconds

Word!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

Its normal and has been discussed on the forums with a bit of searching

2007 Camry XLE Recirculate Button
Air intake selector (RECIRCULATE/FRESH)
problem with my new 07 camry heater/ac

In other words, the recirculate will turn itself off. You'll need to hold it down for about 2-5 sec to override this "feature."

All answered.

Except wish they had heppa filters like my old german car.

EDIT: I hate to say it but my wifes Hyund...... won't spell it all has an even better system. When she puts it to defrost the AC turns on even with the heat to dry the air. An it works great

An I have a window open in the back all the time love air movement.

***judge34411*** · 12-11-2010, 02:20 PM

Just one question! Who would want a Black car in Florida? I live in Canada and in our summers it can get brutal!

I know Black is sexy but Florida?

Stocktrader486 · 12-16-2010, 09:59 AM

black car, well I had my heart set on a black car, because I was just really wanting it, maybe not the best choice for FL, but my only backup was Silver and Black was really what I wanted... I have windows tinted to 20% so it keeps the car fairly cool, + have the dash covered in summers... car usually cools pretty quick because toyota has a powerful AC.

I tested the hold recirculate button and it works great. Most of the time this issue isn't present except in colder temperatures.

Fuseaction · 05-20-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-o

um, if you want the recirculate button to stay on, hold it for 5 seconds

I have two Camrys, a 2007 and a 2011 SE and this does not work if the outside temperature is below 54'. It just resumes shutting off. And why do we want the recirculation to stay on? Simple, to keep out the carbon monoxide from huge trucks.