My wife's 2003 ES300 AC is not working and the AC light on the climate controls is blinking. The Owners Manual said that the Compressor should be 'checked'. I'm guessing this will be around a $1 Grand at the dealership by the time I'm done.

Anyone seen this problem and know anything about it?

 

pop your hood and check to see if your missing a serpentine drive belt. I've had a drive belt snap on my car, and with it, went the AC and the Alternator. this is the only thing I can think of for you. if your missing a belt, replace it, it should be fairly cheap to do. and you shouldnt have to pay over 1 grand if your just missing a belt. if it is not the belt, then i believe the other helpfull friends here can lend a helping hand =)

 

It could be as simple as low refrigerant in the system.

 

I don't think it would be a belt, as I would probably have another indicator of 'Not Charging' on the dash lights. Hopefully it may just be low coolant. I'll take the car into the dealership next week and let you know what they find.

 

i had rain cause my thing to go fritzy, whether from the clutch not working as well when wet, or the belt slipping. or im very low on refrigerant, but I dont think so yet since it's handling 80 degress weather ok.

 

Mine just started today doing that, with the blinking. I think its the actual compressor though, because I have a squealing sound coming from the engine bay. Popped the hood and took a listen and it sounds like its coming from one of the devices attached to the drive belt.

 

Check the part number on your Magnetic Clutch Relay in the fuse box under the hood. If it has part number "90987-02022" printed on the side of it, replace it with a new relay part number "90987-02028".
This is a common problem with 02-04 ES300 and a lot of Camry, 4Runners etc and there is a Technical Service Bulletin out for it.

New relay is ~$50 online or $75 from a Toyota dealer.

 

Thanks for the reply! - Would you happen to have a link for the TSB on this. I'd like to print it out and take it to the dealer tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

A/C - Inoperative/A/C Light Flashing


ELECTRICAL
EL009-05

June 3, 2005

Title:
A/C LIGHT FLASHING - MAGNETIC CLUTCH RELAY

Models:
'02 - '04 ES 300 & ES 330, '03 - '04 GX 470

Introduction

This bulletin is to provide information regarding countermeasures to the A/C magnetic clutch relay for A/C light flashing (inoperative A/C) issues on some vehicles equipped with a magnetic clutch compressor.

Applicable^ 2002 - 2004 model year ES 300 and ES 330 vehicles.
^ 2003 - 2004 model year GX 470 vehicles.





Parts Information

Inspection procedure

1. Locate the A/C magnetic clutch relay.

2. Verify the part number printed on the side of the relay.

A. If the part number is 90987-02022, please replace the relay with the countermeasured relay P/N 90987-02028.

B. If the part number does not match 90987-02022, then please diagnose problems by referring to the Technical Information System (TIS): applicable model year and vehicle Repair Manual: Air Conditioning: Troubleshooting.


NOTE: Relays other than P/N 90987-02028 should not be used for this application.





Warranty Information

Applicable Warranty:

This repair is covered under the Lexus Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

 

Thank you for the TSIB Info!

I will take it with me to the dealership tomorrow. I do have 62,000 miles on the 2003 ES300, so it is out of warranty. But, it may cut the troubleshooting time.

I will post the results of the solution when I get it!

Thanks again

 

Its just easy enough for you to pop off the fuse box cover and check out the relay. The dealer will charge you about $100 just to look at it.

"G" is the Relay, You could switch one of the other identical relays to that spot, and if it works, then you found the problem:

 

I had no idea! - OK, I just popped off the Fuse Cover and found the Relay and I have the 90987-02022 Part. Where could I get the new one and what do you think the chances are that it will fix my problem?

 

OK - This is Super! - I just popped in another relay and my Air Conditioner Light quit blinking and started cooling real nice!

This is what this forum is all about!!!

Now Where can I get the Part?

 

The Toyota Dealer. just go to the parts counter and tell them you need relay part#90987-02028

 

For anyone that may read this thread in the future. I checked with my local Toyota dealer and they wanted over $75 for the part. I checked with an on-line dealer and the part was $55. - Sales tax local and Shipping on-line pretty much cancel each other out.

Toyota Parts link I used on-line