A/C problem

The blinking light means the compressor failed to start when the system called for A/C, most likely a bad compressor relay on such a new car, which is what my 2003 Camry needed. This was not too expensive, about $112 to fix it and $86 to diagnose it. In the worse case it is a bad compressor, middle case is a loss of R134 so the low pressure switch cut out the compressor. If it is a low gas condition make sure they find and fix the leak (for your sake and the environment).

Actually, the blinking light means that the compressor RPM sensor detected a different compressor RPM from the engine RPM. To re-energize the compressor, turn the AC button off and then back on. If you heard a belt squeal just before the light started flashing, the belt slipped and the system shut down. Even if you did not hear a belt squeal, check AC compressor drive belt tension - with the engine OFF, you should not be able to depress the belt more than about an inch. If you can depress the belt more than an inch, it got stretched out over time or the adjustment slipped. Check the condition of the compressor drive belt. It should not be glazed or cracked on the underside.

If the system needs a refrigerant charge, you would not get a flashing AC light, the compressor would just not engage. An easy way to check refrigerant charge is to look at the sight glass on the receiver drier in front of the radiator. The receiver drier is s cylinder with steel lines going into and out of the top. With the AC on, it should look like water is flowing past the glass. If you see foam or nothing, the system needs recharging.

There was a TSB covering this year for the A/C magnetic clutch relay P/N

I wonder if I paid for a relay (and diagnostics) that was not needed..... A Toyota dealer wouldn't do that would they? Thanks for the information, I was going on what the service manager told me and a little bit of knowledge about the low pressure switch.

There is a technical service bulletin (TSB) # EL011-05 regarding the A/C light flashing due to issues with the magnetic clutch relay. It is possible that is the cause if the belt is OK.