Air conditioning goes on and off

[JuniorP]

I have an '04 Sienna 205K. I just had the timing belt replaced. I will be driving along and the AC quits working. Blower is working, just no cold air. After a while it comes back on. Does this sound like a belt slipping on or around the compressor? It has been in the 90's so I can see where there might be some expansion, or does it sound like a pulley problem? Anybody got an idea...besides 2-60 air?

[RningOnFumes]

Is the A/C light itself blinking? = Needs a recharge.

[JuniorP]

No Sir, The light is on the whole time, no blinking. Yesterday morning I was on about a 100 mile trip. At about 55 miles AC stopped working. I pushed the button to turn it off, then turned the blower fan off. Usually when I turn things back on there's a little "hitch" as the compressor comes on. None of that.

Last night on the return the AC did not work but about half way home I tried it and got the little skip, and had AC.

[JoeFoss1]

Sound like you need more freon. When the freon is low, sometimes A/C works in the morning & late evening as the temps are lower, and not during the heat of the day..

[lotsofcats]

Same thing happened to me. For over a year the ac went out intermittently, only once at the mechanic's, and that mechanic thought it was an electrical issue. I took it to the Toyota dealer and the very experienced mechanic got the problem to show. He "hooked up the manifold gauges to check pressures and eliminate the chance of moisture in the system. During the process the A/C clutch failed to engage." The problem was an "intermittant magnetic clutch relay." That was done in May, in June we drove 5,000 miles on a road trip through LA, TX, NM, and AZ. No problems with the ac, despite the 100+ degree weather.

[littleslim1474]

The ac compressor relay is taking a crap. Just replace it its under the hood by fuse box by the battery easy fix very common

[MWR01]

Originally Posted by littleslim1474

The ac compressor relay is taking a crap. Just replace it its under the hood by fuse box by the battery easy fix very common

I can't seem to find it. Can you be more specific in describing it or attach a picture or a drawing? Thanks.

[Eaglefan]

The relay replacement worked for me. Getting the relay out was a PITA since there was very lttle room.

On my '04 Sienna it was in the main fuse box under the hood. Take off the cover and it was in the front, tan in color, and labeled as MG CLT inside the fuse cover.

Edit - BTW just picked up the replacement part at Advanced Auto. Part# 35874. Order online and use code P20 for 20% off. Total Cost $11.19 OTD.

[MWR01]

Originally Posted by Eaglefan

The relay replacement worked for me. Getting the relay out was a PITA since there was very lttle room.

On my '04 Sienna it was in the main fuse box under the hood. Take off the cover and it was in the front, tan in color, and labeled as MG CLT inside the fuse cover.

Edit - BTW just picked up the replacement part at Advanced Auto. Part# 35874. Order online and use code P20 for 20% off. Total Cost $11.19 OTD.

Thanks for the info. It is indeed the relay and you saved me a bunch of $$ with the part number. The dealer wants $139 for the same relay!