2010 Toyota Camry Intermittent A/C Not Working/Blowing Cold Issue - Fix may apply to many other vehicles

STZ
Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:04:45 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

**I had a very intermittent/random “A/C not blowing cold” problem that progressively became worse over a ~6 month period;

When the A/C worked, it was ~40 degrees out the vents. When you least expected it, and needed it, you’d get no cold air.

Solution: Replace the engine intake air filter.

Background on the A/C system:
The 2010 does not have a traditional A/C relay setup, it has a “smart” computer (aka. A/C amplifier) dedicated to the A/C system. It’s buried in the dashboard, so pray it’s not faulty:)

That A/C computer has multiple sensor inputs; using that data it turns the A/C clutch on and off by providing a ground through the board. You’re going to find this hard to believe, but your intermittent A/C may be a dirty air intake filter.

Here’s why:
(Edited to reduce it to layman’s terms as I butchered the technical explanation)

For technical reasons I’ll leave to others, a clogged air filter tricks the A/C computer into shutting off the A/C clutch thinking it’s providing you more power in an acceleration situation.

Changing the air filter fixed the problem for me; how did I figure this out? Totally random. It was time to change the air filter, I removed it, held it to the sun and could barely see any light; held the new one up and the sun blazed through. I was shocked it was so plugged, then I remembered 2023 was very dry and lots of construction was putting insane amounts of dirt in the air.

I hope this helps anyone struggling with an “unfixable/random” Camry A/C issue! Oh, check your cabin filter behind the glove box too!

Another Edit. My Camry has an “A/C amplifier”, computer, that controls the A/C and will shut it off if it “thinks” you’re mashing the pedal.
You can read more about this here: A/C Amplifier HELP! | Tacoma World

Toyota Parts: Air Conditioner Amplifier Assembly #88650-33672 | Autoparts.toyota.com

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