All,
I have a 2001 4Runner that I have had since new. This summer (I live in Phoenix AZ) it seems like the AC is not as cold as it use to be. I purchased a laser temp. gauge and on a 40 min trip to my brother in laws across town the coldest it got was 57 degrees coming out of the vents (AC on full blast with recirculation air outside temp was about 112). Does this temp. sound correct to you guys, what does you guys temp read? I checked the sight glass and there are no bubbles so I am assuming the Freon is full (I added half a can at the beginning of the summer).

Please help my kids on the back seat are pretty uncomfortable.

Thanks in advance!

Mine is much cooler, although I don't know the actual temp. You should have the dealer or an AC shop check the system out. You may be low on R134A or perhaps have a blend door issue. You should also check the cycle times of the compressor. If it clicks on, then clicks off, then back on in quick cycles you are probably low on coolant (freon). In which case you have a leak. Some times the clutches go out on the compressors as well....just so many things in an AC system that can cause this. Its best to just have them look at it.

Also, don't ever add Freon yourself....it really needs to be done properly with a machine. You can damage the system.

One of my concerns, I know I am comparing apples to oranges, (sort of) is that my 1996 Camry with 130,000 miles puts out 34 degrees under the same circumstances. They are both R134a so I don't know why the 2001 would be that much warmer?

Has anybody measured the temp. coming out of a 3rd generation?

Thanks again.

My 2002 is doing the same thing. I took it to the dealer to have it looked at and they told me I was up in the night, and that it was working normally. When I got back in the vehicle to leave I noticed they tested it with the AC on MAX cold and Recirc. I know it stays cool then, but it used to freeze me out on fan speed 3 non-recirc.

I discovered a week later, just by accident, I turned the temp knob all the way to hot, then slowly back all the way to cold. The air coming out is much cooler than it was prior to me taking it in. And now keeps me cool inside without running it on recirc and full speed.

YMMV