Air conditioning not working on 2007

I just picked up a 2007 Tacoma, with the very hard to find 2.7L, 5 speed manual, 4WD. Only checked the AC briefly during the test drive last week. Today it was warm, it worked for the first 10 minutes or so then wasn't cold and the light was flashing. Did some research here, (so far in the week I've been here I've seen it's a great site) with information about that. I can hear the compressor activate (I think) when turning the AC on, rpms drop slightly. Probably there's a leak, but I wonder if it's worth a shot for a recharge? I did that with my '99 Honda Accord (similar symptoms) and the AC remained good after the recharge in August until I traded it in for another vehicle in October.

Very glad to have the rear sliding window. I have one in my Silverado (which I'll eventually sell) which never had working AC, and it does help a bit. Same with long lumber positioned carefully,

 

Have you seen this post?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-c-light-blinking-troubleshooting-guide.440200/

 

The flashing A/C light is because the A/C Amplifier is not recieving the correct RPM signal from the compressor lock sensor.

Possible causes:
Failed compressor clutch or clutch coil.
Drive belt slipping.
Failed MG CLT relay.
Open or shorted wire(s).
Failed Lock Sensor.
Failed compressor.
Failed A/C amplifier.

 

Have not yet seen the post. I will view it. Thanks for that and other causes for the flashing light.

Unfortunately it seems a bad component is likely. Since it first worked for about 10 minutes, I was hoping it was low on freon,
Then again, being low could mean a leak.

 

If it works when it's cold but quits when it heats up my primary suspects would be the relay, clutch coil, or Lock sensor.
Relay can easily be bypassed or swapped.
If the relay is bypassed and the clutch still doesn't engage you need to check for power at the clutch, if you have power there then the clutch coil is bad.

 

Ok - probably one of the above. Tried it again briefly this afternoon. The engine rpms went down big time and the light started blinking after a couple of seconds.

 

Uh oh that could be a siezed compressor, you need to see if you can turn the clutch hub with the truck off.

 

Oh boy - so much for just being low on freon. I won't turn on the AC again until I can get it repaired.

Still glad I got this one. Another 2.7L access cab with a 5 speed manual that I test drove was gone from the online auto dealer sites a couple days after I test drove it.

 

Just don’t run it to any defrost mode either. Defrost uses the AC, and the light won’t even be on to let you know it’s on. If the compressor locks up. The belt ain’t gonna last long, and you’ll be walking.

Let us know if you figure out the root cause

 

Good idea - maybe I should pull the AC fuse for now. I have the manual and downloaded a copy.

Will do. I wish I had the skills and tools like some of you guys to do the repair myself.

 

Pulled the AC fuse (#1 in the engine compartment fuse box) for now. Don't want to take a chance turning the AC on accidentally. Verified it's the right fuse - it's not turning on.

My first week of driving this Tacoma to work. Ironically, due to the large gas tank, I used less of a tank compared to my former Honda CR-V. Of course I used more fuel, but it'll mean less stopping for fillups. Got 212 miles from a half a tank, seems not bad at all for a 4WD truck.