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Darn, I wish the OBDII ThinkCar scanner I "invested" on KickStarter would get here. It should read everything, at least according to the investment hype. As to the size, my smallest Neodymium magnets are circle (with hole) at 1 cm. So a couple of those should about match up in power. Or slightly over power if I use one of the larger nickel sized magnets. Thanks for the reference numbers and the quick reply. I will give them a try.
Last edited by Tatoosh; 08-30-19 at 12:50 PM.
Reason: ODBII or OBDII ... darn dyslexic Acro's
Action Report: Well, I am happy to report the A/C is working fine again! I took two of the smallest neodymium magnets and had a backyard mechanic wiggle them into place on the 2010 RX350's air flow sensor. Gave it a try and bingo! Cool Air! My magnets are 1 cm circles with holes in the center, so I doubled up to help compensate for the material difference of the magnets used by the originator of the solution. But my hat is off to you, OjeG! Slick as can be, I dodged a $2100 repair tab. Big smiles abound in our household and the wife is so pleased her "new" Lex is working the way she dreamed it would from the start.
Well done. This is such a helpful tip. For those owners fortunate enough to find and read this thread, I hope it saves quite a few owners thousands of dollars as time goes on.
Action Report: Well, I am happy to report the A/C is working fine again! I took two of the smallest neodymium magnets and had a backyard mechanic wiggle them into place on the 2010 RX350's air flow sensor. Gave it a try and bingo! Cool Air! My magnets are 1 cm circles with holes in the center, so I doubled up to help compensate for the material difference of the magnets used by the originator of the solution. But my hat is off to you, OjeG! Slick as can be, I dodged a $2100 repair tab. Big smiles abound in our household and the wife is so pleased her "new" Lex is working the way she dreamed it would from the start.
Question for those of you who have successfully done the magnet magic fix: Exactly where is that A/C sensor on these 3rd generation RX models? Is it attached to or next to the compressor?
The AC Flow Sensor, in the middle is the one you are after. I did not put it in myself but where I told the mechanic to put it. The photo from the original poster for this solution ... looks like AC Control Valve sensor. Maybe he can answer this better.
Upon further review I agree with your comment above that judging by the photo of the compressor in post #111, the A/C control valve sensor looks much more like the location where OjeG placed his new magnet. I make this statement because of the circular metal ring clearly visible around the A/C control valve sensor location in the photo of the compressor in post #111. We see that same ring in OjeG's photo.
Sure hope someone will clear this up once and for all.
Upon further review I agree with your comment above that judging by the photo of the compressor in post #111, the A/C control valve sensor looks much more like the location where OjeG placed his new magnet. I make this statement because of the circular metal ring clearly visible around the A/C control valve sensor location in the photo of the compressor in post #111. We see that same ring in OjeG's photo.
Sure hope someone will clear this up once and for all.
No, magnet is not on the AC control Valve but on the flow sensor itself. I'll illustrate with earlier posted pictures
I can't believe how this tip and solution really worked! My AC stopped working a few days ago during a trip, where I had to drive about 800 miles to my home.
Upon return, I ordered the new flow sensor. And reading a little more here, I ended up seeing this tip about using a sensor magnet, where I could not resist and had to try. I put the first time, a couple of magnets and tried, but to no avail.
Upon returning home, I waited for the vehicle to cool down and turned the side of the magnets, where to my complete surprise it worked perfectly!
I can not find words to thank for the help with my AC, as I will have to wait for about 10 days before receiving the new part and be able to make your replacement!
Thank you very much to everyone here in the forum! Especially to OjeG !!!
P.s: On the picture that I took, the flat side is facing the camera.
Glad that the trick still proves itself valid!
could you kindly share photos of replacing the flow sensor?
One last question: Did you use any clamp to keep the magnet piece in place?
I added a magnet to my A/C sensor at the beginning of September 2019, held on by its own magnetic attraction, and it still is there working fine. The trick might not fix every A/C unit with this problem, but it is for sure the very first thing to try! I would by a replacement sensor and have it installed as the next step in trouble shooting if necessry.
Yes, I will post some pictures when I stop to change the sensor. I did receive it already.
For your second question, that was no need to add any clamps, as the original sensor is held by a clamp metallic ring. You just need to put your arm in the tight space from the engine front and put it in place. Mine, since the previous post, is still in place.
On the attached picture, you will be able to see the ring that holds the sensor!
Hi guys. I have a question for those of you who have done the magnet fix: does your compressor cycle? I have installed a magnet on the sensor and the compressor started right away.
However I have noticed that the compressor always stays on so far. Any idea, please?
08-30-19, 12:47 PM
