AC Starts Cold then Warms

2004 Tacoma SRS 3.4L

AC will start off cold but after driving around for awhile it warms up. Will do this every day.

I had the expansion valve and Drier replaced already.

I wouldnt think its a freon leak as it always starts up cold as hell but cant figure out why it slowly warms up over time.

Any idea?

 

hmmm after it starts getting warm/hot pull over see if your compressor is spinning.

If it is, there could be an issue with the condenser creating a blockage over time, OR you don't have enough air blowing past the condenser and as the engine temp goes up so does the radiator in tern heating up the condenser and it's not getting cool enough. Check how your clutch fan is doing. My truck's clutch fan wasn't engaging fully at one point and I never noticed because the engine never got hot.

If the compressor clutch is disengaged then I would venture to say that you may have a minor blockage in the condenser or evaporator which over time creates too much pressure. This would force the high/low pressure switch to kick and turn your compressor off before it built too much pressure.

Edit: I had an issue with the compressor not kicking on at all. Replaced it and ended up having to bypass the ecu. Got it working and it would work for a little while and then hot air again. replaced Dryer, Exp valve, high/low press switch. Still same issue but it would start getting cool at highway speeds only....I said screw it... replaced the dryer again, exp valve, high/low switch, both a/c lines, evaporator, and condenser) Replaced the A/C system pretty much. And now (if im not in traffic...clutch fan sucks for stop and go still cool air tho) when i am moving 30+mph on a 90 degree day my vent temp gauge I stuck on shows 28F degrees...no BS...and that's not on re-circulation. I have to turn it off every now and then before my hands freeze...lol

 

Thanks, I may just have to go have the system checked. I was hoping that it might be a straightforward answer but I guess not :-(

Without sounding stupid I couldn't find the compressor unless it tucked underneath. I could see the alternator, the water pump, and power steering etc...but didnt see anything that resembled an AC Compressor. What side of the engine is it on? Im assuming the passenger side as that where the recharge valve is.

 

AC compressor is located straight down on the left if your looking into the engine bay - bottom of the pulleys. The front of it should be spinning if the a/c is on, and not if the ac is off. The clutch will stop spinning once the pressure valve senses too much pressure.

 

@currysteph if you took the intake air box off this is what it would look like. It's on the passenger side.