’09 Camry Hybrid automatically switches to recirculate from fresh air as temp setti

[CTtraveler]

’09 Camry Hybrid automatically switches to recirculate from fresh air as temp setting decreased to “LO” (A/C is NOT on)

I have read other posts regarding Toyota vehicles switching automatically from recirculate to fresh air intake in a variety of circumstances. See stocktrader486 12/9/2010, and sparknate 10/16/2006. I think my problem is a little different, so seek your advice.

The problem occurs when the “auto” button, the A/C button, and the recirculate air option are not pressed (that is, all of these controls are off and there are no green lights indicating they are operating). I have the temp knob set at 80 degrees (mine has HI, then numbers, 80, 79, 78, etc. then LO), I get heat at this temp in all the modes (floor, dash vents, combo, etc.) and presumably, this is fresh air since the recirculate button is not pressed. However, when I turn the temp knob down to “LO”, the recirculate air button automatically turns on. I want to keep getting fresh air into the cabin, but at the lowest temp setting.

Posts on the above mentioned forums said to hold down the recirculate button for a few seconds if you want to go back to/keep this setting even when the car switches to fresh air. Unfortunately, there is no way to do the reverse—hold down a button to keep/restore the setting to fresh air; pushing the button will switch from fresh air to recirculate.

I took my car to the local Toyota dealer, and they said there was nothing wrong with it and that the controls were programmed this way. I could see this switch to recirc from fresh happening if “auto temp” is pressed with A/C on and the temp knob is on LO because, to get the lowest possible temperature, it probably is faster to further cool the cabin air instead of outside air. However, it doesn’t seem logical that this would happen with the A/C off.

The service rep went to talk to a salesman who then came out and said this is the way it is supposed to be (I brought in the Camry’s owner’s manual and another rep confirmed he didn’t find anything about this). The service rep then had me sit in a Camry with a different heating/cooling system and demonstrated that, with the car on fresh air intake, when the red to blue temp dial was moved from the extreme red to the lowest blue setting, the A/C automatically turns on. However, I pointed out that this car did NOT automatically switch from fresh air to recirculate, which is my problem!

This may be too long a post, so please edit. Is this how the system is supposed to work or do I have a problem? I’d greatly appreciate your thoughts.

[venzoid]

I had a similar situation in my 09 Venza. A/C off and when you turn the temp down to the lowest setting the recirc would automatically come on. The dealer I bought it from said nothing could be done; ditto second dealer. Third dealer (Whitby Toyota) was very on-the-ball and attached a hand held computer to my car and went into the appropriate settings and turned this feature off. It took all of 5 minutes and a little willingness for the dealer to help you. It's never come on again without me pressing it (recirc).

Go to the Venza forum and read the thread if you want more on this one.

[ukrkoz]

I have Plasmacluster on 07 TCH and it does same. The very moment you go to LOW temp, next time you start car, RECIRC automatically turns on, as in green light is up. I simply press that button and it goes away.
If you set temp to at least one degree above LOW, which is like 65, I believe, it will not do it. Maybe, 65 is OK for you?
Yes, it's dumm ars "we know better" attitude from designers, mixed on lawyers enforced pursuit of never allowing windows to fog. I have lengthy post place else on Nippon Denso stubborn user unfriendly factory presets ever since 1999.

[Tech1984]

In the customize parameters section of the repair manual, there are 8 settings that can be done with the Toyota scan tool.
In the section for Air Inlet Mode, it says this:

"In case of turning the A/C ON when you desire to make the compartment cool down quickly, this is the function to change the mode automatically to RECIRCULATION mode"

I really don't think there's any other setting that will help in your case, but you can try it and see how it works out.
It's generally a complimentary service.

[venzoid]

Well I wish all Toyota mechanics/service advisors were as well informed as you are. Out of curiosity, did you stumble upon this yourself or was it covered in Toyota training of some kind? It really seems to be hit and miss out there with this issue. Is there systematic training out there for the dealerships and techs or do you have to discover everything about the new cars by yourselves?

[Tech1984]

I am few and far between these days. Myself and others of my peers are constantly on the testing and lookout for all the new car features.
Most all the rest are just a step above quick lube service. Sad.