A/C pressure Switch removal?

I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pre runner. Does anyone know how to remove the A/C pressure switch? I have tried using a 27 mm deep socket on the ac pressure switch with a 25 inch breaker bar and twist without any luck. I don't want to put to much pressure on the soft aluminum tubing line around it. I know for the gen 3 2016 to 2018 they use a crescent wrench to hold a fitting built into the line and a 27 mm socket to twist the AC pressure switch out. Does anyone know if this is the same case? I have already release the pressure and r134a as well already.

 

Um... you don't usually need to remove the refrigerant to replace a pressure switch. I haven't done this on my Tacoma yet, since my AC system still works fine, but they generally screw into schraeder valves. If you did depressurize the system you should also replace the receiver/dryer canister. Recharge to the exact weight on the underhood label. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you are supposed to recover the old refrigerant, not release it.

 

Uh, I'm pretty sure this data above is incorrect.

Now the pressure test gauges screw onto the schrader valves, but the pressure switch is part of the system.

 

Sorry, Jimmy, you'd be wrong. Have you ever actually worked on an AC system? I have done this a half dozen times, mostly on GM, and they all had schraeder valves. You will not see the valve until you unscrew the pressure switch. I have not worked on my Tacoma AC yet because it is too reliable. I guess it is possible but it is hard to imagine that Toyota would make such a stupid design choice to not have these valved. If so, I will stand corrected... and be shocked. However, I have been shocked by some of Toyota's design choices before, like no trans dipstick and no inline fuel filter. So who knows?

Here is an excerpt from one of dozens of online sources:

• Note: Typically, the A/C system does not need to be evacuated prior to removing the A/C pressure switch. This is because there is a schrader valve built into the switch mount. If you have any doubt as to the design of your system, consult the factory repair information before switch removal.

 

Thanks everyone, but completed the replacement. The A/C pressure switch you will need a crescent wrench no larger than 8 inches to hold down the bottom part of the tube. so you do not warp the tube. A 27 mm deep socket with a extension at least 4 inches to clear everything to remove the pressure switch. To answer the question of schraeder valve in the line. It does not have one so you need to evacuate the line before removing it. It is literally a hole you screw the A/C pressure switch into the line you can shine a flash light and see into the line when the pressure switch is out.

 

Ya Toyota pressure switches are directly ported to the pressure of the system, it will blow the refrigerant everywhere on your hand.

Advice with A/C is best left to discharging the system, similar to disconnecting a battery.

 

Thank you for your confirmation of the pressure switch and needing to evacuate the system prior to replacement.

 

Sorry, but a Tacoma is NOT a General Motors Product (thank the gods) and does require evacuation prior to switch removal. In my experience they rarely fail.

Fukin Bubblehead!

 

Yeah I am happy to learn this or if I ever have this issue I would just do it like I always do and have a real mess on my hands. This isn't just GM, however. And while my Tacoma is far better than any GM I have ever owned there are some things that GM does better, like including a $2 schrader valve that makes a $25 pressure switch replacement a $25 job that takes 2 minutes. Don't get me wrong I love my Tacoma but I am not a kool aid drinker and it is unnecessary stuff like this about Toyotas that pisses me off. And yes, I am... or was a bubblehead back in the day, indeed!

These switches are reliable but back in the day we did a bunch of R-12 to R-134a conversions. R134 uses a PS with slightly different setpoints and they vary a bit even for the ones made for it. So it was sometimes useful to rapidly swap out pressure switches to optimize a specific conversion.

 

Did 20 years as a Bubblehead myself. Retired in 1993.