Flashing AC light

[Michael daddy3]

My 2002 Rav 4 is still going strong at 236, 000 miles . Only problem is the AC which works fine until the weather gets hot then the light on the switch starts flashing and it blows warm air, if the temperature drops the next then it blows cold air all day. 
I love the car but I can’t drive around without AC when I really need it. Any ideas anyone. 

[Mooly]

I suspect it could be one of several things tbh and the only way to know would be to get any fault codes read. There are lots hits if you search for this problem on the web.

The fact it returns to a working state when temperatures fall might possibly point to a slightly low refrigerant charge... in hot weather it all works much harder and more refrigerant is continually passed to the evaporator... and if there is a low level of charge... has it ever been re-gasssed in all those years?

Other possibilities could be anything from a sensor issue all the way through to problems with the control unit. It really could be 'anything' at this point.

If there is a fault code stored for this issue it should point you (or an air con specialist) in the right direction.

 

 

 

[Grumpy stumpy]

I had a similar issue when I had my 2004 Rav, it was the clutch on the compressor unit , not many people know but the clutch unit can come apart most quote for a complete unit but this AC guy who knew his stuff took off the clutch bit and fitted a different size shim to it and put it back , worked a treat and light never came on again blew nice and cold . Somewhere on here posted several years ago I think I put a diagram of what bit he changed.

[Grumpy stumpy]

Found this from few years back can’t find the diagram I had which highlighted the shim/washer he changed sorry, may help though.