I have a 2005 RX 330 with about 100k on it. The A/C does not keep the cabin cool. If you turn the fan up it will keep it cooler. I took it back to the dealer and they say there is nothing wronge with it. They did recharge it but it did nothing. You have to keep the fan turned up to just stay comfortable. I have had service loaners and I have to keep turning the temp up or it gets too cold.

 

Check your radiator and overfill to make sure you have the proper amount of coolant If OK, then you might have a problem with a temperature sensor.

As with many such topics, your problem and possible solution has probably been discussed previously here in the forums. One needs only to search for a bit. Here is one that may help. You can try the diagnostic and see if it returns any codes for you.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...004-rx330.html

As you are out of warranty you might also try going to another shop, such as a local Toyota dealership, for a second opinion.

 

Mine is the same way unless I use the recirc button. then it will freeze you out!

 

you might want to check the AC relay if its only blowing warm air, lexus and toyota are notorious for making some faulty ac relays. a good way to check is take out the ac relay and replace it with the horn relay, if it starts blowing cold air you know the relay is bad, only costs about 40 bucks at your local auto zone and its a lot cheaper than an AC service, just throwin it out there not sure if this is what you are experiencing but it might be worth a try

 

64, 3 things to check since the dealer obviously checked for leaks etc I assume.

1 - Cabin filter. If you cabin filter is clogged, it will not allow the proper amount of air to pull through the fan, thus causing the air to not cool as efficiently.

2 - Check that BOTH your cooling fans are running. Lexus has a habit of having cheapo electrical connectors to the auxillary engine parts. The RX 330 cooling fan connections are notorious for "going bad". By bad, I mean that the wire connectors inside the connection become loose thus causeing the fan not to operate. MAKE SURE BOTH fans are working when the A/C is on. These fans are in behind the radiator and condensor in the front near the grill fyi.

3 - Make sure the recirculate option on the dash is chosen. Also, if you have the fan on low (manual controlled), you can listen closely and hear the recircualting servo move the vents.

Check those 3 things then post back please. It sounds like the system is functioning, just not efficiently. I would bet good money your issue is #1 or #2 above.

 

Thanks. I just had a new water pump installed so the coolant is fine. This had been going on for two years.

 

I just had the cabin filter changed during my last oil change. I will check the other two. Thanks.

 

64,
Where do things stand now? I am having similar problems.

 

Note lexus114's response above. Do you have the recirc button on?

 

have you tried using a thermometer by either placing in the vent or in the cabin?

 

if the compressor's not kicking in, all this speculation is urinating in the wind.

Open the hood
Crank it

Turn on the AC (no other extraneous noises going on like radio)
Listen/feel for the AC compressor to kick in...you'll know if it does or does not

If the compressor is not kicking in, you're gonna have to go to an electrical specialist to fix this
Now if the compressor's working fine, then look at some of these other suggestions.

PPL in the south know AC's.

 

If the compressor is not working, the A/C light on the dash will flash. (had this happen once going through a large puddle of water)

 

interesting...does anyone have otherwise working AC but that loses efficiency (blows only barely cold air) when in heavy traffic and on hot days?

 

Low freon could cause this. The pressure is not high enough so that the compressor engaged and disgaged in a cycle manner for every 2 to 3 seconds. Using AC gauge could measure this. If both low and high pressure are both lower then that is it. However if the pressure is lower, there must be a leak. SO even you fill in freon and may get the same situation back soon.

 

i've posted this on another thread but usually there is a 1" square area jsut to the right of the steering wheel where there are several air slots in the dash like a microphone is behind it but in a weird location. this is thermocouple area that reads interior cabin temp. this can get covered with dust and effect readings and AC temp. simply use some compressed air and blow into slots. doesn't always work but it can be a solution.