hdave_CO

2004 X-Cab TRD

Here are the symptoms:
-With the AC off and recirc off, when the air flow adjuster is turned to high low (defrost and feet) or defrost it turns on the AC - but the AC light stays off. I can not turn off the AC no matter what I try - unless I change the flow to neither the defrost or high/low.

-if he recirc is on, when put on high/low or defrost - the recirc turns off.

the air controler works like it is supposed to so long as I never use defrost or high low. its maddening!!!

So - anyone ever seen this or have any clue what has gone bad on me? I had the center console out working on rattles about 4 months ago or more and I am confortable doing it again if needed. the problem start today.

Can the controler be changed easily? Is it only electrical connections or are there mechanicals as well?

Thanks

Flamedx4

Sounds like it's working the way it's supposed to. Other 04 owners can ck and chime in. Toyota for a while now has been one of the few left that let you decide when to recirc (for me - Never) and when to use AC. Most systems automatically turn on AC with defrost - it's a good idea, defrost doesn't do much without the AC on. Most systems automatically keep the outside air door open on all positions except Max AC. Sounds like maybe Toyota has designed a hybrid control giving you some of both - you get some user choice, but on defrost you get AC and outside air regardless- which is what you need for efficient defrosting.

Flamedx4

And all you need to do to defeat the AC is either put in a nice little pushbutton switch in the wire that goes to the compressor to manually turn it off when you don't want it, or rewire the factory switch (if possible) so it manually selects AC when on and not when the defrost is on. I put in a little round black button type switch in a previous vehicle to defeat the AC, looked perfectly natural. Sorry, no pic.