AC compressor turning off

do you have hvac eco mode enabled? even with that, it should never blow warm.

 

Test it in your driveway. With the AC on you should be able to feel air blowing out the passenger side front wheel well from the cooling fan. Obviously it will stop when the compressor stops, but it should probably be blowing the whole time the AC is on.

Do you have it set to Auto?

 

Good call about the condenser cooling fan. The compressor's high pressure cut out switch is doing its job. Please let us all know how the dealership fixes the problem.

 

For all the sensors in cars, I'm surprised it can't tell that the fan isn't working and trigger an error code. Or maybe there is an error but no warning about it visible to the driver. If you have access to Techstream and a cable, I think the HVAC module can have its own error codes. At least that is the case on my old 4runner. For example I know the recirculate damper has a sensor, I think that causes an error code if it gets stuck. I don't know if the car would alert you of the error, I suspect it doesn't.

 

I think I remember reading something about opening the hood cancels pre-conditioning or the traction battery cooler cycle, since they don't want anyone to get hurt by the fan. Makes sense, but I can't remember for sure. So if you test it try not opening the hood, and as another troubleshooting step see if you can find and test the hood sensor. Or just open and close the hood and see if that is enough to get it working again.

You can also see if opening the hood causes a message on the MID, like opening a door or the charge port. If it does, you can rule that out as long as you don't get the message.

 

The compressor is variable speed, so I don't think it will exactly bog down, but it will probably slow down before it stops as the condenser gets too hot. Eco mode makes it more likely to run at lower speeds.

It still sounds like a problem with the cooling fan(s).

 

Same thing happened to me. Dealer unplugged the fans when completing the recall for the parking sensors. The one for the car wash issues. They called me and had me plug them back in.

Did you have the recall done?

 

Can someone post a picture of the fan connections? Where to look for proper connection...

 

Came here after searching for "ac compressor turns off" and found this thread. This is exactly what I experiencing, and like OP my car was recently taken in for the reprogramming recall. Toyota dealer left the two cooling fan connectors unplugged. This saved me a trip back to the dealer. Everything working fine now!

You'd think that Toyota with their high-tech UI in these cars could display an error message ... or at least set an OBDII code letting you know that the A/C compressor was over pressure, etc. Typical Toyota - technologically advanced on the outside, backwards 1980s technology on the inside.

Connector photo for FuelMiser. There are two of them, easily reached from under the hood. Press the connectors back on firmly, and there is a saddle latch (grey in the photo) that will slide over and lock the connector in place.

Watch your fingers, make sure the car is powered off and cooled down. If the radiator is "hot" the fans could turn on automatically, even if the car is "off" -- be careful, it's a little tight behind the radiator where the plugs are.

 

These cars are so efficient I think it would be hard to get it to overheat. The engine is almost never running when you're stopped. And in the winter the engine has to run extra just to heat the cabin. The motors and inverter need cooling too, but again they aren't working when you are stopped.

I'm surprised they recharged the refrigerant. It seems unlikely that there's a leak or that it needs extra?

 

Refrigerant quantity---the sticker under the hood calls for 1060 grams plus or minus 30 grams of R-134a. 36.3 oz. to 38.4 oz.

2.4# = 38.4 oz, just right for the max. 1.9# = 30.4 oz, a bit light, but not enough to cause the problem described even if the connectors had been OK. More refrigerant is not better. The specified amount is just right. Even a charge that is a bit light is OK if the system is working fine. There should be zero leakage. If there is a leak, it needs to be found & fixed before more refrigerant is added.

About checking for previous body repairs---neither the warranty nor the dealership is going to pay for some other shop's mistake or the owner's mistake. They properly paid for this dealership shop mistake.