A/C button - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

acarapella · 11-09-2010, 11:48 PM

Hey. I've had this car for a while now, and it still puzzles me that when I press "auto" either on the dash or the steering wheel, the ac turns when the car clearly only needs heat. Even if the outside temperature is near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the "A/C" light always comes on no matter what the temperature is set to. Example: today, it was 35 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and the car was set to 75. I stop at lights and turn the climate "off" but then when I hit auto, the "A/C" comes on. Any suggestions to avoid/correct this?

Thanks

Ps if somebody has already answered this elsewhere, please point me in the right direction. Thanks :-)

rainbowchaser · 11-10-2010, 08:22 AM

I think it is just Toyota logic. The A/C comes on when you hit defrost, too.

My pet peeve with the HVAC system is even when the system is not in Auto and the temp is set at 70, the car sits in the sun and gets 90 degrees inside while its only 75 outside. You start up the car and instead of staying in fresh air in mode, it goes to recirculate so it moves the 90 degree air around the car rather than replacing it with 75 degree outside air. My personal preference is to always bring in fresh air unless it is brutally hot or brutally cold outside. Then I'd be happy to choose recirculate for 5-10 minutes.

I'd hope someone can fix these "problems" but I think Toyota will say these are all proper operation. It's just strange logic.

acarapella · 11-10-2010, 09:25 AM

Thats a bummer. Does it always mean the compressor is always running and using battery power even when only heat is needed? If that's the case it's a serious design flaw on toyota's part. The 3rd gen prius doesn't do this to my knowledge...

98CamryLE · 11-11-2010, 06:03 PM

If you press the 'auto' button, the A/C light will automatically come on as a factory default setting. It doesn't mean that the a/c compressor is actually running, it will come on and turn off as necessary. (Even though it may be cold outside, sometimes the a/c will still run as a method of preventing the windows from fogging up).

You can have the dealer change this setting if you'd like.

razol · 11-12-2010, 06:28 PM

98CamryLE is correct. When you do not have the "AC" on even when it is freezing outside the windscreen will fog up. This was the case with my Tercel some years ago as well.

I know, it is not logical, but this is Toyota, a company that places the HVAC ECO button next to the fuel door release. Throw logic out the window, this car was designed by poorly trained monkeys.

acarapella · 11-13-2010, 08:10 AM

Hey thanks for the input. I don't mean to be argumentative but I have always pressed "auto" and the turned the ac off... And it's never had a fogging up problem (even today's 35f degree day). It's just a pain in the butt to always have to do that... I like constantly turning it on and off by the steering wheel to try to save energy while city driving. Also, about the Eco button's location... I really don't think the car was poorly designed. Keep in mind over half of camrys (camries? Camri?) are i4 LEs and the hybrid is an adaption to a universal design. I would have put it on the climate control but there has to be a reason that the leader in automotive technology, who spends $20,000,000 per day on research and development, didn't.

I just wanna be sure that if it's cold out and I'm using heat, I'm not wasting energy by having the ac on. Not to mention wearing on an expensive compressor.

standonit · 11-14-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98CamryLE

If you press the 'auto' button, the A/C light will automatically come on as a factory default setting. It doesn't mean that the a/c compressor is actually running, it will come on and turn off as necessary. (Even though it may be cold outside, sometimes the a/c will still run as a method of preventing the windows from fogging up).

You can have the dealer change this setting if you'd like.

I had similar questions regarding the operation of the AUTO feature in the climate control. My unit changes between air delivered to the feet or dash air ducts arbitrarily.
I asked if the computer that control the HVAC can be adjusted to stop this. The service manager told me that they don't have the capability to alter the computer's settings.

Tech1984 · 11-14-2010, 07:28 PM

There is a customize parameter setting that can be done with the toyota scanner for "compressor mode". Settings are either manual/auto.
Default is "auto"
There are 7 other customize settings that can be performed to meet your needs.
standonit, Have the Dealer next time print out the page in the repair manual for "customize parameters" and see if one is to your liking.

acarapella · 11-15-2010, 12:08 PM

Oh that's good info!!! I have the official TCH service manual at home, anything I can do my self?? Thanks for the help!

acarapella · 11-23-2010, 07:07 PM

Ok, so I went to the dealership and pretty much changed every single setting for the TCH to fit my desires, and I love the car more than ever! Getting this A/C setting changed makes the autoclimate way more useful!

jasonscamry · 12-15-2010, 08:03 PM

hey, long time lurker, first time poster. im missing something about how to reset all these options, such as the auto ac and the seat belt chime (wife hates those with a passion). can someone direct me to step one?

i have a feeling that if i go to my local dealer, im gonna need directions in front of me for the tech. thanks

acarapella · 12-16-2010, 10:04 AM

Toyota techs have a laptop that plugs into your TCH's computer and the settings come up on the tech's screen. Unless you wanna fork up the $4,500 for this Toyota laptop, you can't do it at home :-( but the dealer shouldn't charge you for this. Just make a list of things you want changed when you get an oil change or something