Auto Insurance Auto Insurance    FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 Goto page 1, 2  Next          Auto Insurance Forum Index -> Lexus View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message njbok Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:25 am    Post subject: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) I've never had a problem with the system before. I DID make the mistake yesterday of telling a friend that I've never had a problem with the car other than the hesitation/firmware trans problem. Don't ever tell anyone that you've never had a problem with anything. Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor St. John Smythe Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:53 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 njbok wrote: Quote: Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) Ray will probably have more authoritative information, but one of the commonest causes of poor cooling is low refrigerant level, much cheaper to rectify than a new compressor. -- St. John insert pithy quote here Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:23 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "njbok" <NOSPAM@nospam.com> wrote in message news:C23DBCCA.446FB4%NOSPAM@nospam.com... Quote: Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) I've never had a problem with the system before. I DID make the mistake yesterday of telling a friend that I've never had a problem with the car other than the hesitation/firmware trans problem. Don't ever tell anyone that you've never had a problem with anything. The only question I see in your post is if anyone has ever seen the blinking AC light - I have. Answering the unasked question of why the light is blinking and how to make it stop blinking... The light is blinking because the AC system has detected a difference between the engine speed and the AC compressor speed. As a safeguard, the system de-energizes the AC compressor to prevent damage to the system. Differences between the AC compressor speed and engine speed can happen if the AC compressor drive belt is slipping, or if there is something wrong internally with the compressor. The belt can slip if it has been in service for a long time, like over 60,000 miles, or when driving through a deep puddle. Turning the AC compressor off and back on should re-cycle the system. If it does not, then the problem still exists; the belt is still slipping, there is a problem with the AC compressor speed sensor, there is a problem with the compressor, or there is a problem with the AC amplifier. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor njbok Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:24 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 On 4/7/07 10:23 PM, in article c1a66$4618522e$47c2b532$19705@msgid.meganewsservers.com, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote: The belt can slip if it has been in service Quote: for a long time, like over 60,000 miles, or when driving through a deep puddle. Thanks Ray. I haven't gone thru any puddles but the car has about 77k, and the belt is the original. I tried shutting system off & on, but still light blinks and no AC. I'll have to check/replace belt, I suppose, and hope it's not the compressor. Thanks guys. Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:31 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "njbok" <NOSPAM@nospam.com> wrote in message news:C23DD8C3.446FC1%NOSPAM@nospam.com... Quote: On 4/7/07 10:23 PM, in article c1a66$4618522e$47c2b532$19705@msgid.meganewsservers.com, "Ray O" rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote: The belt can slip if it has been in service for a long time, like over 60,000 miles, or when driving through a deep puddle. Thanks Ray. I haven't gone thru any puddles but the car has about 77k, and the belt is the original. I tried shutting system off & on, but still light blinks and no AC. I'll have to check/replace belt, I suppose, and hope it's not the compressor. Thanks guys. Hopefully, it's just the belt. If a new belt does not solve the problem, check the AC compressor speed sensor for a 2002 V6 Camry at http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry/index.html Good luck! -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor JL Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 6:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "njbok" <NOSPAM@nospam.com> wrote: Quote: Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) I've never had a problem with the system before. I DID make the mistake yesterday of telling a friend that I've never had a problem with the car other than the hesitation/firmware trans problem. Don't ever tell anyone that you've never had a problem with anything. Can't help you, but when I run through a big puddle in my 05 RX330, the AC light blinks and I have no AC. Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "St. John Smythe" <sinjen@n4vu.com> wrote in message news:ev9hua$40j$6@n4vu2.n4vu.com... Quote: njbok wrote: Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) Ray will probably have more authoritative information, but one of the commonest causes of poor cooling is low refrigerant level, much cheaper to rectify than a new compressor. -- St. John insert pithy quote here Yes, one, if not the most common cause of poor cooling is low refrigerant level, but the blinking light indicates that the AC compressor is not energized. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Steve Larson Guest Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 It's a relay, my 02 ES300 did the exact same thing. Had the work done at the local Toyota dealer, they said the 2002 Camry had the same problem with a quirky relay, but they never notified customers of a recall. I suspect it might have been an unadvertised recall, but I just haven't followed up with Toyota yet to seek a reimbursement. The Toyota part number on my invoice is 90987-02028. The part cost $64, total job out the door was $116. "njbok" <NOSPAM@nospam.com> wrote in message news:C23DBCCA.446FB4%NOSPAM@nospam.com... Quote: Tonight noticed that "A/C" light was blinking. (I leave the climate control on AUTO all the time.) I have never seen this light blink before - It's always on steady. I played with the thermostat to check the heat and cooling. Heat worked ok, but A/C was just blowing fresh air. Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it's good. Belts are ok. The book, of course, doesn't mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ? I know the A/C isn't working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something cheaper than a new compressor.) I've never had a problem with the system before. I DID make the mistake yesterday of telling a friend that I've never had a problem with the car other than the hesitation/firmware trans problem. Don't ever tell anyone that you've never had a problem with anything. Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:07 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "Steve Larson" <r@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message news:9NwSh.30$254.24@bignews7.bellsouth.net... Quote: It's a relay, my 02 ES300 did the exact same thing. Had the work done at the local Toyota dealer, they said the 2002 Camry had the same problem with a quirky relay, but they never notified customers of a recall. I suspect it might have been an unadvertised recall, but I just haven't followed up with Toyota yet to seek a reimbursement. The Toyota part number on my invoice is 90987-02028. The part cost $64, total job out the door was $116. Lexus/Toyota did not notify customers of a recall on the relay you describe because there is no recall on it. There is no such thing as an "unadvertised recall." -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Steve Larson Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:25 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 Maybe not, but the Toyota dealer told me Toyota had a bunch of problems with that relay and they made a change to the original part. The dealer also stated that the only recalls affecting safety are proactively communicated to the customer. As far as there being no such thing as an "unadvertised recall", our difference may just be in the terminology I chose, which is merely symantics. Considering this is not a safety issue, I was not ruling out the possibility that a recall, or at the very least a TSB, could exist for this issue. His A/C will be cooling quite nicely once he replaces the defective relay. "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message news:b26d8$461a9d23$44a4a10d$12251@msgid.meganewsservers.com... Quote: "Steve Larson" <r@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message news:9NwSh.30$254.24@bignews7.bellsouth.net... It's a relay, my 02 ES300 did the exact same thing. Had the work done at the local Toyota dealer, they said the 2002 Camry had the same problem with a quirky relay, but they never notified customers of a recall. I suspect it might have been an unadvertised recall, but I just haven't followed up with Toyota yet to seek a reimbursement. The Toyota part number on my invoice is 90987-02028. The part cost $64, total job out the door was $116. Lexus/Toyota did not notify customers of a recall on the relay you describe because there is no recall on it. There is no such thing as an "unadvertised recall." -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:34 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "Steve Larson" <r@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message news:eixSh.44$254.28@bignews7.bellsouth.net... Quote: Maybe not, but the Toyota dealer told me Toyota had a bunch of problems with that relay and they made a change to the original part. The dealer also stated that the only recalls affecting safety are proactively communicated to the customer. As far as there being no such thing as an "unadvertised recall", our difference may just be in the terminology I chose, which is merely symantics. Considering this is not a safety issue, I was not ruling out the possibility that a recall, or at the very least a TSB, could exist for this issue. His A/C will be cooling quite nicely once he replaces the defective relay. Special Service Campaigns, or recalls, are generally issued only for items that will affect a vehicle's compliance with Department of Transportation or emissions requirements. The NHTSA has specific rules regarding SSC's including notifying all known customers of the affected vehicle and tracking completion specific vehicles that have had the SSC performed. If enough customers do not have the SSc performed within a specified time line, a second notice has to be sent. I checked, and as i noted previously, I could not find any TSB's issued regarding this condition. Considering the part cost $65.00, my recommendation would be to test the relay before replacing it. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Elmo P. Shagnasty Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:56 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 In article <b26d8$461a9d23$44a4a10d$12251@msgid.meganewsservers.com>, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote: Quote: There is no such thing as an "unadvertised recall." Oh, yes there is. It's called "things the mfr knows about and will take care of for you, but you have to ask--they won't offer". Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Ray O Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:30 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message news:elmop-72811E.16563909042007@nntp9.usenetserver.com... Quote: In article <b26d8$461a9d23$44a4a10d$12251@msgid.meganewsservers.com>, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote: There is no such thing as an "unadvertised recall." Oh, yes there is. It's called "things the mfr knows about and will take care of for you, but you have to ask--they won't offer". Automaker are prohibited from having "Unadvertised recalls," "things the mfr know about and will take car of for you, but you have to ask--they won't offer," "secret recalls" etc. Any coverage from an automaker outside of its warranty coverage would be purely on a case-by-case basis, as a gesture of goodwill. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Steve Larson Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:31 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 Then shame on Toyota for poor corporate behavior for not having a TSB on this. They've been in trouble recently with the Japanese government for underreporting defects. "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message news:b0b88$461aa42c$44a4a10d$12361@msgid.meganewsservers.com... Quote: "Steve Larson" <r@NOSPAM.com> wrote in message news:eixSh.44$254.28@bignews7.bellsouth.net... Maybe not, but the Toyota dealer told me Toyota had a bunch of problems with that relay and they made a change to the original part. The dealer also stated that the only recalls affecting safety are proactively communicated to the customer. As far as there being no such thing as an "unadvertised recall", our difference may just be in the terminology I chose, which is merely symantics. Considering this is not a safety issue, I was not ruling out the possibility that a recall, or at the very least a TSB, could exist for this issue. His A/C will be cooling quite nicely once he replaces the defective relay. Special Service Campaigns, or recalls, are generally issued only for items that will affect a vehicle's compliance with Department of Transportation or emissions requirements. The NHTSA has specific rules regarding SSC's including notifying all known customers of the affected vehicle and tracking completion specific vehicles that have had the SSC performed. If enough customers do not have the SSc performed within a specified time line, a second notice has to be sent. I checked, and as i noted previously, I could not find any TSB's issued regarding this condition. Considering the part cost $65.00, my recommendation would be to test the relay before replacing it. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor njbok Guest Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:40 am    Post subject: Re: Blinking A/C light, 02 ES300 Well, here's the latest on my blinking AC light: I tried pressing the windshield DEFROST button (which also starts the AC) - and that made the AC light come on steady, and AC worked ! Then I shut off the Defrost, and tried the AC button again - It worked this time. I couldn't figure out how pressing the Defrost button (rather than the AC button) made it work. Now, after reading Steve's post, I remembered that I had lightly tapped on each relay with the screwdriver handle before trying the Defrost button. Tapping on the relay (I don't know which one is for the AC), might have done it, so hopefully, I won't have to spend the bucks - for now anyhow. I'll start putting a few bucks aside for a new relay :) Thanks again guys. Back to top   Ads Advertising Sponsor Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         Auto Insurance Forum Index -> Lexus All times are GMT Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2   Jump to: Select a forum Auto Insurance----------------Auto InsuranceLexus4x4Classic Cars  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum 106 Attacks blocked Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group