2011 HL rear A/C

[tcmofo]

Hi all,
Newbie to TN here and have a question. I conducted a search, but couldn't find anything on it. Sorry if I missed it if it has already been posted.

I own a 2011 HL base model with the tech package. My problem is that I have noticed that my rear A/C doesn't blow cold....at all. I took it to the dealership and they stated that in order for the A/C to work in the rear I need to have it (the rear A/C controls) set on floor vents only...it won't blow cold air out of the vents in the ceiling. Any truth to this? Anyone else experiencing this problem? Any help is appreciated.
TC

[05Moose]

No truth to it. It just takes a long time on the ceiling vents because the roof gets quite toasty up there. If you store your sunglasses in the overhead holder, you'll understand. We had this exact problem with an 04 Sienna where it seemed to never blow cold air out the ceiling vents (rear AC was basically worthless), but out HL seems to work a lot better because it really does blow cold (or cool anyway) air out the ceiling vents.

[TrailDust]

FWIW, here's one of Summerwind's documents detailing the A/C system:

AC system

[sweeneyp]

Considering the rear and front AC refridgerant is 1 whole unit (front and rear share it) and use the same compressor, as soon as my front vents are pushing out the cold air (which is about 30 sec - 1 min after start up after car is sitting outside in 95 degree temp for 2-3 hours) it comes out the top vents as well. I don't know why the dealership said it has to come out the bottom vents as that makes no sense. cold air sinks so it HAS to come out of the higher vents to be effective. You might want to call another dealership about this, because I think that dealership is trying to not have to do warranty work if there is something wrong.
Good luck getting this resolved.
Patrick

[AXMACD]

It does work, it just takes a longgg time.. The winter is the opposite, it takes for ever for the air to get warm..

[tagheuer]

I am actually reasonably impressed with the rear vents in our 2011 limited highlander.

While the airflow isn't spectacular, I think it is plenty sufficient, you can definitely feel the cool/cold air flowing out of the vents, and our kids never complain about being hot. The vents for the 2nd row are positioned well, right over their heads...

This is in Michigan's temperate climate, about 80-85 degrees.

[lollonais]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

Considering the rear and front AC refridgerant is 1 whole unit (front and rear share it) and use the same compressor, as soon as my front vents are pushing out the cold air (which is about 30 sec - 1 min after start up after car is sitting outside in 95 degree temp for 2-3 hours) it comes out the top vents as well. I don't know why the dealership said it has to come out the bottom vents as that makes no sense. cold air sinks so it HAS to come out of the higher vents to be effective. You might want to call another dealership about this, because I think that dealership is trying to not have to do warranty work if there is something wrong.
Good luck getting this resolved.
Patrick

Not entirely true. Unless you have the rear A/C controls then you have a whole A/C unit in the back. Complete with evaporator etc, etc. A member here sent me the pic of the parts for the rear A/C. The dealer did not know about it and I told him that it stank like piss and still did not clean it.

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by lollonais

Not entirely true. Unless you have the rear A/C controls then you have a whole A/C unit in the back. Complete with evaporator etc, etc. A member here sent me the pic of the parts for the rear A/C. The dealer did not know about it and I told him that it stank like piss and still did not clean it.

I meant a highlander with full rear AC, they have a seperate evaporator and heater coil, but the compressor and refrigerant is still the same. Take a look at the pdf, it shows that what is shared and seperate, so it should get cold air the same rate as the front. I still think his AC is messed up.