'98 Toyota Avalon's AC quits infrequently. I believe that it is an electrical short, perhaps a problem in grounding. If so, where is the ground on the AC compressor?
Thanks.

Did you ever get your problem fixed I am having the same problem!

Thanks!

Bek

I have had the A/C go out infrequently on my '98 Toyota as well. I am not sure my husband believes me. Has anyone figured out what the problem might be?
Thanks.

Nope have never figured it out. It is not happening as frequently though. The only reason my husband believes me is the kids have been in the car when it happens. I also lose my outside temp. Its not only my A/C when it goes out it includes heat as well when it happens!

that sucks

dont listen to him, id go get it looked at by a mechanic, or bring it to ur dealer

Did you ever get your problem fixed I am having the same problem!

Thanks!

Bek
Ever figure this out??? I am having the exact same inter mitten problem that you described. It is getting to be winter now and I am waiting to wake up one morning without defrost :banghead:

Ever figure this out??? I am having the exact same inter mitten problem that you described. It is getting to be winter now and I am waiting to wake up one morning without defrost :banghead:

Nope! Everytime I start my car I pray for the best. It happens less and less, and most of the time if I turn off the car for a minute and restart it, it will start working again. It must be a manufacturing problem, I wonder if they will ever recall it and fix it???????

I agree...I is no fun to cross your fingers every time you start your car. I took it in to get it fixed but could not replicate the problem for the mechanics. I am actually kind of hoping the it just quits working so that I can have the problem fixed. It would just be nice to know what the problem is. I would like to be able to take it to the shop and say "replace the x" and then be rid of this issue. It sounds like others are having the problem so maybe somebody out there has been able to figure out what causes it.

I also have this problem come up recently, and after spending a lot of time looking for a solution on my own, I finally informally talked to a service manager I know at a local Toyota dealer. He steered me on to Toyota Tech Service bulletin #AC005-99, dated December 3, 1999 and applicable to '98 Avalons. The symptoms are the ambient temp display going blank, some of the lights going off, and blower not working, and cycling the ignition switch may restore the A/C. The basic problem seems to be with the A/C Amplifier - the internal logic causes excessive Air inlet servo motor travel, which may affect the motor and/or the servo link. (Thats straight out of the bulletin) The solution is to replace the A/C Amplifier (EC), the Air Inlet Servo Motor, and Servo Link - maybe. It takes about 2.7 hours to do, but I haven't gotten around to costing out the parts.
So Toyota knows about the problem, and I hope this helps everyone I have seen writing about it on this forum and several others I found through Googling.
John

This is a very common problem on all late 90's avalons with auto a/c. Common symptoms include:
=A/C int. INOP
=The Ambient Temperature display goes blank or displays "-"
=Fresh/Recirc indicator light INOP
=Mode Indicator Light Inop
=Blower Indicator Light Inop
The Fix for this involves replacing
A/C Amplifier (ECU) Part #88650-41030
Air Inlet Servo Motor Part #87106-07050
Servo Link Part #87151-07010
Labor under warranty payed 2.7hrs If you go to a dealer under CP expect to pay 5 Hrs Labor.

Hope this helps........

1996 Avalon - AC/Heating system is down for the count.

I am afraid that I am going to be facing the repair situation mentioned in the other replies. My wife's Avalon suddenly went AC-free on a 100 degree day, about four hours from home, with the baby in the car.

Needless to say, NOT AMUSING.

I did some poking around and lots of surfing on the message boards. Here are the symptoms of my particular situation.

*NO BLOWER - hot or cold

*All climate control buttons just blink (including defrost rear)

*Exterior temp display "_ _"

*I can hear the AC clutch making its noise but it never engages, so it just makes the car sound like it's running bad

If any of you have made these repairs and can tell me the out the door cost to expect, that would be super.

Anyone know of a place that carries these parts? The amplifier seems to be available in a few 'climate control' head units, but I cannot locate the servo stuff for the life of me...


This is a very common problem on all late 90's avalons with auto a/c. Common symptoms include:
=A/C int. INOP
=The Ambient Temperature display goes blank or displays "-"
=Fresh/Recirc indicator light INOP
=Mode Indicator Light Inop
=Blower Indicator Light Inop
The Fix for this involves replacing
A/C Amplifier (ECU) Part #88650-41030
Air Inlet Servo Motor Part #87106-07050
Servo Link Part #87151-07010
Labor under warranty payed 2.7hrs If you go to a dealer under CP expect to pay 5 Hrs Labor.

Hope this helps........

We "had" same prob with 1998 Avalon A/C. Only happens to 1998 & 1999 with auto climate control. AC would work & quit like it was haunted. Wasted time at dealerships, Found a repair shop that fixed the problem for good & they didn't replace any parts. Repair bill was 10% of what the dealership quotes were & they were just going to replace 3 parts which would only delay the problem for a while. :screwy: ; Complete & much better repair is out there and If you are in upper South Carolina area, My recent, (1 & 1/2 yr ago) new mechanic can fix yours too ! :popcorn:

We "had" same prob with 1998 Avalon A/C. Only happens to 1998 & 1999 with auto climate control. AC would work & quit like it was haunted. Wasted time at dealerships, Found a repair shop that fixed the problem for good & they didn't replace any parts. Repair bill was 10% of what the dealership quotes were & they were just going to replace 3 parts which would only delay the problem for a while. :screwy: ; Complete & much better repair is out there and If you are in upper South Carolina area, My recent, (1 & 1/2 yr ago) new mechanic can fix yours too ! :popcorn:

Can you tell us what your mechanic did to correct this without any parts?
I have a 97 Avalon that displayed many of the same climate control related symptoms, but I got a different control unit (the part visible on the dash) from a junkyard, and that fixed the problem...although from all of the posts on this subject it is probably just luck that I got one that works!

Can you tell us what your mechanic did to correct this without any parts?
I have a 97 Avalon that displayed many of the same climate control related symptoms, but I got a different control unit (the part visible on the dash) from a junkyard, and that fixed the problem...although from all of the posts on this subject it is probably just luck that I got one that works!

1997 May be a different problem, My understanding it was only on the 98 & 99 with automatic temp control, normally the XLS. Anyhow, You drop the glovebox & and then remove a black box or module. from what I understand, at least one bolt is a pain to get to.