AC cuts out (blows warm air) for a few seconds sometimes.

I have a 2014 SR5 5.7 with manual climate control, about 69K miles.
The last few months, the air conditioner will blow warm air for about 5 to 10 seconds then kick back in cold.
Works fine 99% of the time, but these episodes are getting more frequent.
Used to happen once a week if that, now it happens a few times a day on a 30 minute drive.
Does it on both fresh and recirculating air settings.

I brought it up to the dealer when I had my oil changed a few weeks ago, they said everything checked out fine.
Of course they could not duplicate the issue.

I've got about 6K miles left on my extended warranty (that I've never used).
Need to get this fixed before the warranty runs out.

Any idea what could be causing this or what I can look for?
Thanks...1lowlife

 

A low or borderline low charge can perform like that. With a vehicle knocking on 7 years old I would have the system evacuated and recharged if I experience that issue. They can add some dye in case it happens again to verify any potential leak.

 

Like stated above, you're low on fluid in your system...check your condenser for weeks or leaks...I bet if you bought one if those $40-$80 charging systems and refilled the system you will be better understanding of the issue at hand...

 

To anyone that finds this in a search;
I replace the AC clutch relay and that fixed the on and off of the compressor...

It doesn't cut out anymore...

 

Mine did that a few weeks ago on a really hot day. Started the truck, turned the A/C to max and started driving. Once I was on the highway I noticed there was no cold air coming out of the vents.

I noticed that the A/C button was blinking and then it shut off. I turned it back on and it worked fine after that.

A few days later I noticed tons of condensation on the inside of the windshield in the morning. A few days after that I realized the carpets were wet under the weathertech floor liners.

Turns out the condensation drain was plugged and water filled up the A/C distribution box until it started spilling out through the floor vents.

I'm guessing that was what the blinking light was about, but I only noticed it happening once so I can't be certain.

 

@careyrob
Muddy roads or off road a lot?

 

Not for a while. Last time was a year ago @ OBX. There were some surprisingly deep puddles that came up to the middle of the doors.

It was more likely the trees that I have to park under sometimes. They drop a lot of leaves and pine needles on the cowl area right where the fresh air intake is for the a/c. There was a ton of that stuff sitting on top of the cabin air filter when I looked at it this time.

 

I see. good info.
Thought the drain was plugged from underneath with mud or something.

 

There was nothing on the outside of the drain to suggest that it was clogged. There was just a normal amount of road grime like what you would get even if you never went off-road. It wasn't clean, but there was no debris caked on.

To clear the drain blockage I just blew into it with compressed air and the water poured our for a few minutes.

 

I'm reviving this thread.
I picked up my 2014 Tundra SR5 yesterday after 8 months on the lot waiting for cat parts.
I have the manual climate controls.

A/C worked fine yesterday the maybe 45 minutes and 3 times I drove it.
My wife and I went to lunch today and this cut-out stuff happened again.
It would blow hot for around 30 to 90 seconds at a time.

We noticed it seemed to happen on bumps in the road.
Hit a slight bump, it blows warm air, hit another bump, and it gets cold again.
When it is cold, it is really cold.

As previously mentioned, I'd bring this up to the dealership on oil changes over the years and they couldn't duplicate the problem.

In dealing with this for the last couple of years, when I could stop and park when it was blowing hot, the compressor wasn't turning.
So something is kicking the compressor on and off.

Could it be a bad electrical connection somewhere?
Could my A/C clutch be going out?

I'd appreciate ANY input from you guys..
Thanks..

 

It's hard to produce a rapid change from cold air to hot air coming out of the vents. If the compressor is working and then cuts out the air will get warmer, but it will be a gradual temperature change. If the change is fast I would suspect something related to the temperature blend door like the servo motor assembly mechanism.

 

Thanks for the input..
It is a somewhat gradual thing, but it can literally cut out for a few seconds and blow cold again.
And the very few times I was able to stop with it blowing hot air, the compressor wasn't not turning.

It hasn't done it since I updated on 7/22.
Last time it happened the wife was with me and she really thinks it has to do with bumps in the road.
It would cut out, I'd hit a bump, and it would kick back on.

Another observation I failed to mention;
If it does happen, it happens several times that day or drive.
Then it goes days, weeks, or months before it happens again.

I should probably also mention I have manual climate control if that makes any difference..

 

Any updates on this? Mine was evacuated and recharged recently and seems to have the intermittent issue. Next time I start it up it’s working fine. Only happened once since the evac-rech but, that why I took it in first. Make sure it was charged up. Mine has the electronic climate control (night shade conversion if you see the photo) and it’s a 2014 limited.

 

Not really.
I noticed every time I hit a solid bump in the road the AC ALWAYS came back on and stayed on.
I took it to a local shop and left it a few days, they said they cleaned and greased all the connections.
I printed out the wiring and connector diagrams and gave it to them.
They couldn't get it to replicate the issue.

The next day the AC went out again.
I narrowed it down to tapping on the actual climate control on the dash, which would make it come back on.

I bought a used climate control on eBay for $80 thinking that would fix it.
It worked fine for a few days and cut out again, knocking on the unit kicked it on.
I'm guessing there is a loose pin or something in the connector on the back of the climate control.
I've had that part out several times in the last 10 years.

For now, when it cuts out, I just knock on the dash unit and it comes back on..

 

Slipping serpentine belt and/or bad tensioner.

 

No.
It comes on and stays on EVERY TIME I tap on the climate control unit..
My belt was replaced 5 months ago with a tower cam leak repair.
The issue has been going on before and after that for the last 8 years.
It has nothing to do with the belt, but thanks.