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Toyota Highlander Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

161 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 11:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 16 of 17

#145 of 161 2001 Toyota Highlander: A/C quits at low speeds by bison88

Apr 28, 2011 (8:08 am)

I have a 2001 Highlander. Manual A/C controls. Currently, I am experiencing a situation that the A/C quits at low speed or idling at a stop. I am tipped off that the A/C is "off" when the green indicator light on the A/C button starts flashing.
 
I can immediately "restart" the A/C by pressing the A/C button twice. Once to turn off and once to turn back on. Once on, the green indicator light is steady "on". However, as soon as I slow down again, the light begins flashing and the A/C quits.
 
If I am traveling at a constant moderate speed, the A/C stays on.
 
"Restarting" the A/C always seems to work...but it is a nuisance to have to keep doing it...especially in city driving.
 
Also, the temperature with the A/C on seems to be plenty cool.
 
Any ideas?
 
Thanks,

#146 of 161 Re: 2001 Toyota Highlander: A/C quits at low speeds [bison88] by wwest

Apr 28, 2011 (8:35 am)

Replying to: bison88 (Apr 28, 2011 8:08 am)
A/C compressor drive belt or clutch slipping.

#147 of 161 Re: a good way to thank you for helping me [cps2698] by my2grits

Jun 19, 2011 (5:06 am)

Replying to: cps2698 (Sep 06, 2009 9:07 am)
Same here. When the a/c on my '05 Highlander started acting up(and of course the car is out of warranty), I got really nervous. I could see a repair bill in the thousands of dollars. But out of curiosity, I googled to see if there were similar reports of problems with the a/c on Highlanders. Turns out there are more than I would care to know.
But anyway, I took this posters suggestion of checking the temperature control knob. Was it loose? YEP. Gently remove the knob by pulling the knob away from the panel. OK. Do you see a hex nut on the metal post that the knob attaches too? YES. Is it loose? YEP. Then tighten the nut until it is secure. OK. Re-attach temperature control knob. OK. Test running the a/c by turning on the fan. Is the temperature control accurate? YES!!!!!!
Thank you so much for posting. I was getting ready to take it in to the mechanic. I can only imagine what they would have diagnosed and charged me for!
 
Lesson to this story: Do your research BEFORE resorting to the repair shop. The internet is a wealth of information. Take the least invasive approach first, and if that doesn't provide the results you seek, then proceed to the next step.

#148 of 161 heating-cooling system of my Highlander by dex_alain

Jul 13, 2011 (4:20 pm)

Highlander 2003 with 267000km, 4 cyl. Whether you put cool air or air condition, while driving it sudently swith to very hot air. Either I take the air condition off and on again or I switch the knob from coolest to warmest and then back to coolest, and everything comes back to normal. Hate to do that, but it's the only way I found. Am I the only one? Any idea to solve the problem? It may appear one , twice or even three times on a run of 50 km.
 
Thanks if there is a genius among us !!

#149 of 161 Re: heating-cooling system of my Highlander [dex_alain] by mikefm58

Jul 13, 2011 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: dex_alain (Jul 13, 2011 4:20 pm)
Read the post just before yours.

#150 of 161 Re: EZ Airconditioner fix [ryan99] by dcraytor

Jul 17, 2011 (10:34 am)

Replying to: ryan99 (Oct 15, 2009 5:20 pm)
May be late in day for this one, but I had same problem, and pulleed the knob cover off from the dashboard, that controls the temperature. The nut was loose holding the variable switched to the dash, and shorting out below. Tightended nut, put knob back on, works great...Dan

#151 of 161 Re: a good way to thank you for helping me [my2grits] by oakinski

Jul 19, 2011 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: my2grits (Jun 19, 2011 5:06 am)
Thank you so much for posting your message . . . I too have an 05 Highlander with the AC issues, just taking the knob off, not even tightening it, I got immediate cold air it was wonderful. Just yesterday I had gone to a mechanic who told me it would be about $700 to replace the panel for the repair, you just saved me $700 and now I have cold air in my car, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

#152 of 161 2011 highlander a/c blows warm by sillymama

Aug 25, 2011 (8:40 pm)

Just drove a 2011 highlander off the lot 5 days ago. Air blows warm for 6-9 minutes after car has been sitting for awhile like in garage overnight. Took it in they found leaking o-ring and filled the freon. Again brand new car 200 miles. Still blows warm- left a baseball game tonight after the car sat for 3 hours. Took a/c 5 minutes to blow cold. It literally blows warm air then seems to kick in. Service mgr tells me it takes the highlanders 5 minutes to cool the cabin. It takes mine 6 minutes to blow cool air. Any similar problems? Considering taking it back. We live in a hot climate and our 18 year old BMW cools better. Help

#153 of 161 Re: heating-cooling system of my Highlander [dex_alain] by jeanastuart

Sep 10, 2011 (10:55 am)

Replying to: dex_alain (Jul 13, 2011 4:20 pm)
I had the same problem with my 2005 Highlander. Googled it and tons of people had the same issue. If you take it to Toyota they tell you they have to replace the whole board which costs about 1k. In actuality it is just that two of three wires coming to the control button has come undone because they are too short. You need to just have them resolder on the other side and it works like new. Cost me $40.00. I can't remember the site but if you look hard enough you will find it where a guy give you detailed instructions on how to fix it with pictures.

#154 of 161 Re: 2011 highlander a/c blows warm [sillymama] by luckyseven

Sep 10, 2011 (11:50 am)

Replying to: sillymama (Aug 25, 2011 8:40 pm)
Did A/C improve at all after repair? You might want to ask your dealer to let you compare any other new HL cooling with yours, see if any difference. I have a 2008 HL and A/C might take few minutes to cool off if car seats for long time on the sun. I can feel cold air coming from the vents pretty soon though, whole cabin space might take time to cool off if it gets really hot. If you live in hot climate then you should have chosen optional rear A/C when you bought the car.

Messages Page 16 of 17

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