AC Button Blinking

[mcfountain10]

We have a '01 Avalon. The AC works great and blows very cold air. However, the AC button will start blinking and the AC turns itself off....the AC button can immediately be pushed and the AC will again start blowing very cold air. The AC button can continuously be pushed within 5 second and the AC will never turn off.

Is this a sensor switch that needs to be replaced? We are trying not to have to take it in to the service department bc of the high costs to replace an inexpensive part.

[csaxon]

The sight glass should be clear, if you're seeing bubbles in it, the system is undercharged and needs more freon. This can cause ac cycling. The ac belt may need tightening.
Check the AC compressor clutch RELAY. If it's part# 90987-02022, replace it with part# 90987-02028.
The blinking A/C light is linked with the rpm sensor on the A/C compressor clutch. When the clutch is not turning or the compressor speed doesn’t match engine rpm, say because of a loose belt, the light will start blinking. This especially when someone drives through a puddle and the belt slips.

[buchaja]

Howdy neighbor! And thanks, csaxon. This post solved the mystery of my blinking AC light. Out here, it's mostly dry and HOT, but when the torrential rains come, they can turn the entire city into a virtual flood plain. When that happens and I'm out driving my Avalon, I hit a puddle and I get the blinking AC indicator and the windows fog up real quick because of the rapid temperature fluxuations. I guess I'll check the belt - it hasn't been touched since new (OK, I'm an idiot. Is that why I have idiot lights in my car?).

[mcfountain10]

Thanks for the response. I posted this back in Feb but our daughter has been in and out of the hospital so we were not able to look into the information we received back in Feb. I was unable to find the info we were given last time; so again thanks for the response.