intermittent A/C fault '04 120 GXL

[psi03gxl Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close psi03gxl]

hi guys just wondering if anyone else out there has had an intermittent problem with their a/c... mine will work fine sometimes then others it will stop after just 5 mins of operation. it may be a coincidence but pushing the a/c switch off and on a few times will get it working again. the system is fully charged also... any help would be greatly appreciated... cheers

[Philphy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Philphy]

Toyota found that a relay needed replacing in mine when it did that. Hope it's a easy fix for you too.

[sandman Member Find all posts View Profile Close sandman]

Mine did the same thing for quite a while and I found pushing the button on and off a few times sorted the issue. I replace the relay and had it regassed, still did it. Might sound dumb but I'm going to get some contact cleaner and squirt it into the switch. I thought about getting a new switch but Toyota could not find the switch separately, wanted to sell me a panel for over $250....contact cleaner it is !!!

[johna Member Find all posts View Profile Close johna]

The TOyota relay costs an arm and leg (approx. $125 ). Get a standard 12 volt 10 or 15 amp relay which does the job.
original relay is a solid state type and can be intermittent in operation.
Had the same problem and drove me mad until changing the relay 6 months ago and no problems since.

[BBB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BBB]

What are the chances? .... I was just about to post exactly the same question as psi03gxl myself. having had the same problem on a long trip down to Esperance last week with temps only in the low 30s. I pulled off the engine fuse box cover and am just wondering which is the ac relay as anything remotely labelled AC Inv or ACC Cut (going by the diagram chart on the back of the cover) is not present in my fuse box??? Unless I'm having a Doh moment?? Distinctly possible!
John, any chance of a photo of the installed relay location?? Do you get these non Toyota replacements from someone like Repco, Auto Cheap or Coventry's or do you have to go to a more specialized store?
BTW, after having a read of my Owners manual I pulled out the air con cabin filter out from behind the glovebox and was amazed at the amount of crap in there. Not just dust from last years trip up north but also a thick layer of leaves (yes, my vehicle is always parked on the verge usually under trees for shade). I'm sure this is not helping the ac efficiency. Worth checking if its been awhile. I don't think my filter is really cleanable its so dirty. Does anybody know if there is a non genuine filter replacement option.... I seem to remember they were quite expensive from Toyota a few years back?

[BBB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BBB]

Just found more detailed info in the manual about functions of various fuses (p320, pp336-338 in my manual). Seems like the ac is covered under a number of different fuses, all of which I've checked and appear to be OK. It's funny but apparently the Heater 50A Type B fuse up in the top left corner of the fuse box is involved with the ac system? Right next to it I have a similar type B 50A fuse for rear height control air suspension even though my vehicle doesn't have air suspension??? Weird? Maybe I should try switching them around and see if that makes a difference..... otherwise my thoughts are with Sandman and some contact cleaner on the switch....actually thinking about it, ever since my trip up to the dusty north last year my air flow selector dial has been stiff and not turning probably so this may be the more likely cause? Somewhere else on this forum I remember someone mentioning how to get in behind the centre console panel to check all this out...
Sorry, I'll stop rambling now, but maybe food for thought for those with the same problem?
Cheers
Bryan

[waltec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close waltec]

Ryco make a cabin filter for the Prado, also there is some posts on here with people replacing the filter material with Dacron from material shop. Also have seen them on eBay.

[BBB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BBB]

Thanks Waltec. Cabin air filter $13.90 + postage on ebay. Awesome.... I bought 5 of them!
CHeers
Bryan