If you have a blinking air conditioner button/light on any of the following Toyota or Lexus models:
- 2002-2004 Lexus ES300 or ES330
- 2003-2004 Lexus GX470
- 2001-2004 Toyota Camry
- 2001-2004 Toyota Echo
- 2001-2004 Toyota Celica
- 2002-2004 Toyota 4Runner
- 2002-2004 Toyota Corolla
- 2002-2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
- 2003-2004 Toyota Highlander
- 2003-2004 Toyota Matrix
- 2003-2004 Toyota Sienna
- 2003-2004 Toyota Solara
…your problem is likely a failed air conditioning magnetic clutch relay. The air conditioning compressor is what powers the air conditioning. It is run off of an accessory belt, engaged to the compressor by a pulley that connects and disconnects as needed via a clutch. Sometimes the relay that engages the clutch to start the compressor fails.
The old part, common to all the above models, is 90987-02022. It looks like this when removed:
A/C Blinking Relay
The new is part number 90987-02028. This failure is the most common cause of air conditioning failure on all of the cars and in 95% of the case will fix the issue. Toyota redesigned the relay to combat this issue specifically so we strongly recommend using the updated part.
As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s independent Toyota and Lexus repair shop we hope this helps an owner get back into a cool car without a huge repair bill!
Thanks….you probably saved me $100-200 for a service charge that may or may not work. I picked up a new relay at Auto Zone (essentially free for recycling a couple of old batteries) and plugged it in place. AC works like new.
Really appreciate the advice.