AC odor TSB
#1
07-20-2010, 01:03 PM
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AC odor TSB
So I took my 2009 TCH in for the TSB to replace the evaporator coil to get rid of the odor, but now I wish I didn't. The air conditioner is not as cold as it was before, it's cool, just not cold. Service manager said all the readings are in spec, "it's just hot in Dallas". Duh, yeah it was just as hot before I took it in. Anybody else have this problem after the replacement? He also said that no refrigerant needed to be added since it's a closed system? But I thought I saw on another forum that listed all the parts for the TSB and refrigerant was one of them?
Also my NAV/GPS doesn't work anymore, have re-calibrated several times, works for a while then it gets "lost" and thinks it's somewhere else. Since they scratched the screen, they put in a whole new unit today, after waiting a week for the part. Drove it for about 10 miles, was working fine then it went wacko again.
And to top it off, I have lots of dash rattles now, this is after the 2nd try of "fixing" them after the coil replacement. So now I get to take it back in again so they can remove the dash to try and figure out the NAV issue.
I really liked my car before all this, maybe I should have just lived with the stink.
Also my NAV/GPS doesn't work anymore, have re-calibrated several times, works for a while then it gets "lost" and thinks it's somewhere else. Since they scratched the screen, they put in a whole new unit today, after waiting a week for the part. Drove it for about 10 miles, was working fine then it went wacko again.
And to top it off, I have lots of dash rattles now, this is after the 2nd try of "fixing" them after the coil replacement. So now I get to take it back in again so they can remove the dash to try and figure out the NAV issue.
I really liked my car before all this, maybe I should have just lived with the stink.
#2
07-20-2010, 02:32 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 1,312
Re: AC odor TSB
You might consider buying a cheap temperature 'meat probe' from any kitchenware department. Stick it in the center vents of a known other car with a good working AC. Then compare it to your 2009 TCH.
I would drive each car for about 15 minutes to allow the cabin to cool down. Make sure your recirculate button is lit up. No sense in bringing in outside 95 degree temperatures while trying to cool the cabin off.
You should read 38-45 degrees just inside the vent. You may read a little higher on very humid days or if the outside temp is 100 or higher.
The mold in the coils the dealer removed could be caused from a stopped up evaporator drain hole. After parking for a while you should see a water puddle under the car. It's usually visible by looking casually under the passenger side door.
I have noticed the TCH along with other cars I have owned, does not cool as well in slow city traffic (15 to 30 mph) as when driving at 40 to 50 miles per hour.
I would drive each car for about 15 minutes to allow the cabin to cool down. Make sure your recirculate button is lit up. No sense in bringing in outside 95 degree temperatures while trying to cool the cabin off.
You should read 38-45 degrees just inside the vent. You may read a little higher on very humid days or if the outside temp is 100 or higher.
The mold in the coils the dealer removed could be caused from a stopped up evaporator drain hole. After parking for a while you should see a water puddle under the car. It's usually visible by looking casually under the passenger side door.
I have noticed the TCH along with other cars I have owned, does not cool as well in slow city traffic (15 to 30 mph) as when driving at 40 to 50 miles per hour.
Last edited by rburt07; 07-20-2010 at 07:05 PM.
#3
07-20-2010, 03:51 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Re: AC odor TSB
So I took my 2009 TCH in for the TSB to replace the evaporator coil to get rid of the odor, but now I wish I didn't. The air conditioner is not as cold as it was before, it's cool, just not cold. Service manager said all the readings are in spec, "it's just hot in Dallas". Duh, yeah it was just as hot before I took it in. Anybody else have this problem after the replacement? He also said that no refrigerant needed to be added since it's a closed system? But I thought I saw on another forum that listed all the parts for the TSB and refrigerant was one of them?
Also my NAV/GPS doesn't work anymore, have re-calibrated several times, works for a while then it gets "lost" and thinks it's somewhere else. Since they scratched the screen, they put in a whole new unit today, after waiting a week for the part. Drove it for about 10 miles, was working fine then it went wacko again.
One of the methods for alleviating the A/C odor involves coating the evaporator with a thin nylon porus film. An anti-microbial chemical, fungicide, is then embedded within the pores of that film.
The coating, obviously, will reduce the cooling efficiency of the evaporator vane cooling surface areas.
And to top it off, I have lots of dash rattles now, this is after the 2nd try of "fixing" them after the coil replacement. So now I get to take it back in again so they can remove the dash to try and figure out the NAV issue.
I really liked my car before all this, maybe I should have just lived with the stink.
Also my NAV/GPS doesn't work anymore, have re-calibrated several times, works for a while then it gets "lost" and thinks it's somewhere else. Since they scratched the screen, they put in a whole new unit today, after waiting a week for the part. Drove it for about 10 miles, was working fine then it went wacko again.
One of the methods for alleviating the A/C odor involves coating the evaporator with a thin nylon porus film. An anti-microbial chemical, fungicide, is then embedded within the pores of that film.
The coating, obviously, will reduce the cooling efficiency of the evaporator vane cooling surface areas.
And to top it off, I have lots of dash rattles now, this is after the 2nd try of "fixing" them after the coil replacement. So now I get to take it back in again so they can remove the dash to try and figure out the NAV issue.
I really liked my car before all this, maybe I should have just lived with the stink.
#4
07-20-2010, 03:57 PM
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Re: AC odor TSB
You might consider buying a cheap temperature 'meat probe' from any kitchenware department. Stick it in the center vents of a known other car with a good working AC. Then compare it to your 2009 TCH.
I would drive each car for about 15 minutes to allow the cabin to cool down. Make sure your recirculate button is XXX lit up. No sense in bringing in outside 95 degree temperatures while trying to cool the cabin off.
You should read 38-45 degrees just inside the vent. You may read a little higher on very humid days or if the outside temp is 100 or higher.
With the new automatic climate control systems the only way to check for FULL cooling capability is to measure the outlet airflow with the system set to the coldest setting, lowest blower speed, and recirculate mode.
The mold in the coils the dealer removed could be caused from a stopped up evaporator drain hole. After parking for a while you should see a water puddle under the car. It's usually visible by looking casually under the passenger side door.
I have noticed the TCH along with other cars I have owned, does not cool as well in slow city traffic (15 to 30 mph) as when driving at 40 to 50 miles per hour.
I would drive each car for about 15 minutes to allow the cabin to cool down. Make sure your recirculate button is XXX lit up. No sense in bringing in outside 95 degree temperatures while trying to cool the cabin off.
You should read 38-45 degrees just inside the vent. You may read a little higher on very humid days or if the outside temp is 100 or higher.
With the new automatic climate control systems the only way to check for FULL cooling capability is to measure the outlet airflow with the system set to the coldest setting, lowest blower speed, and recirculate mode.
The mold in the coils the dealer removed could be caused from a stopped up evaporator drain hole. After parking for a while you should see a water puddle under the car. It's usually visible by looking casually under the passenger side door.
I have noticed the TCH along with other cars I have owned, does not cool as well in slow city traffic (15 to 30 mph) as when driving at 40 to 50 miles per hour.
#6
07-21-2010, 07:42 AM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 149
Re: AC odor TSB
Agree with the previous posts. If the coil was replaced, draining and evacuating the system before recharging is required.
If your service rep told you they didn't change out the R-134a, then ask him EXACTLY what they did. This dealership sounds as if Moe, Curly and Larry are doing their A/C work. Nyuck, nyuck!
Also, it really sounds like it is time for you to find a new dealer to work on your car.
Joe
If your service rep told you they didn't change out the R-134a, then ask him EXACTLY what they did. This dealership sounds as if Moe, Curly and Larry are doing their A/C work. Nyuck, nyuck!
Also, it really sounds like it is time for you to find a new dealer to work on your car.
Joe
#7
07-22-2010, 12:30 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2
Re: AC odor TSB
Well they finally fixed the NAV, it seems everything didn't get plugged back in like it was supposed to be. And after complaining about the AC it magically is cold again, but no mention from them that they did anything. So yes I will be searching for a new place for maintenance. The guy asked if I could just be so kind as to "misplace" the survey that's coming my way.
#8
07-22-2010, 04:41 PM
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Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 1,312
Re: AC odor TSB
That's funny, by saying that, he sure gave his so called quality service away.
Any serious work you may need from toyota, try asking for a 'certified' technician to do the work. They are sent to the toyota schools and are the more experienced mechanics. At least one has to have completed the hybrid school to specialize on the hybrid systems.
Last edited by rburt07; 07-22-2010 at 04:47 PM.
#9
07-22-2010, 06:09 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Re: AC odor TSB
"...try asking for a 'certified' technician..."
You're kidding, right..??
Those guys make, can demand, too much money to be employed by a dealer, especially in this economy.
You're kidding, right..??
Those guys make, can demand, too much money to be employed by a dealer, especially in this economy.
#10
07-22-2010, 06:23 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 149
Re: AC odor TSB
PLEASE fill out that survey and send it in! That is the only way dealerships like his get 'motivated' to do it right the first time.
A dealer told me that ONE bad survey knocks them off of their goal of 100% CSI, and is a HUGE deal with management.
Also, PLEASE go to this Web site and write them up for their poor service:
http://www.dealerrater.com
Finally, if you are tempted to not write them up for their poor service, just imagine if that same tech that did a half-baked job on your car hooking up the NAV works on someone's ABS, traction control or air bag module next. NOW suddenly 'getting everything hooked up right' is very important!
Joe
A dealer told me that ONE bad survey knocks them off of their goal of 100% CSI, and is a HUGE deal with management.
Also, PLEASE go to this Web site and write them up for their poor service:
http://www.dealerrater.com
Finally, if you are tempted to not write them up for their poor service, just imagine if that same tech that did a half-baked job on your car hooking up the NAV works on someone's ABS, traction control or air bag module next. NOW suddenly 'getting everything hooked up right' is very important!
Joe
Last edited by SanAntonio Joe; 07-22-2010 at 06:40 PM.
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