2011-2013 Toyota Sienna A/C flow sensor replacement 

Hope it fixes your issue and for most it will. Unfortunately for me even after replacing the flow sensor the a/c wasn't pushing the cold air like it used to. I further diagnosed the issue and it pointed to a bad expansion valve. I am replacing it very soon and will post another video if it does. Definitely try the flow sensor though, they still tend to go bad and are relatively easy to fix. Yes most mechanics who think it's the a/c compressor and needs to be replaced don't realize it's just the flow sensor on these Toyotas that's the issue. Good luck🤞

Did it fix your issue @kristi Powell?

???

I am happy to hear the video helped you out. Thank you for commenting 😎👍

@@rafaelquintanilla Thanks for commenting and happy that the video helped you out!!😎👍

You're welcome

It should be in the same location. I am not sure if your Highlander though used the same compressor though. You should be able to see by looking at the top of your AC compressor from the engine bay.

@@itsaboutfam I'll check, thank you!

Thanks and you're welcome! Well it's still not cooling like it used to. I replaced the flow sensor and expansion valve which was actually bad. My last resort is the electric pressure valve. I am hoping that is the main culprit and if not, I may have to look into a compressor.

@@itsaboutfamAny update? I’m in a similar situation. The whole system was recharged yesterday and it’s still blowing cool, at 65* at 6am. Which translates to sweating at noon.

@@theVRpilot I posted a few weeks ago an update. Our A/C issues turned out to be a bad control valve. Here is the link to the video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r-HklDOOpMQ.html

Awesome man! Glad the video helped!

Yes...my compressor would still cycle.

@@kennethramirez1020 in the video I stated I had to remove the compressor to remove the valve.

You're welcome!

So?

My RAV4 had the code B1479. The magnet trick works, but I have not replaced the sensor yet.

I have read that it throws a code but ours didn't and honestly I saw this was a common issue so I just replaced it. It kinda improved but for our issue...it didn't totally solve it. It ended up being the pressure control valve being the issue which I did a video on.

I did not and there are no signs there was any applied from the factory. The flow sensor is just a magnet.

You're welcome 😎

I did not have to unplug the battery to replace the flow sensor.

The snap ring pliers I used are from Harbor freight.

Probably could of... definitely something to consider if someone was to replace their compressor.

@@itsaboutfam I just replaced my sensors a few weekends ago. The fan is one complete unit. It was a pain to get into the area of this sensor, but a few hours later, she’s blowing ice cubes! Thank you!

Air was not near as cool when it was working right. Replacing the flow sensor helped but after a couple days we are noticing it's not cooling as well. Going to diagnose more. Our clutch is engaging and fans are running so going to buy or borrow a legit set of HVAC gauges to check hi and low side pressure.

@@itsaboutfam thank you for the reply. Let me know what you find out please

@@josh1678gt Update: Looks like the real culprit is a faulty expansion valve. I hooked up HVAC gauges and from the readings it looks to be a bad expansion valve. Bought a new Denso one and going to replace it soon and hopefully this solves the issue.

Did the Expansion Valve solve the issue? My AC compressor belt snapped about a month ago and then I replaced it and then I was on my lunch break my AC was blowing Ice cold the first 15 mins and then Burning hot the last 15 mins. I put Freon in and it didn’t really do anything.

And then it was blowing fine for a few days and then lukewarm to hot again.

It's a tight fit but I used my hands. I am not sure how much space you have to deal with on a RAV4.

@@itsaboutfamis there a thing on a plug to press before you pull it out or you just pulled it out did wiggle it to pull out thanks

@@sunpak1543 just a small locking tab like the other plugs in the engine bay.

What do you mean?

To replace this flow sensor you don't need to evacuate the system.

IMO that doesn't make sense. Siennas have dual climate control so one side should be getting cold air if it was an actuator ...I could be wrong but to my knowledge that's what I think. Now as far as the cool air...have you or a HVAC auto tech actually hook up some gauges to see what pressures you're getting on your high and low side. That can pretty much diagnose most a/c issues. I have replaced the flow sensor and the expansion valve and my ac kinda improved. HVAC gauges show that my compressor is working correctly. My last ditch effort is the pressure control valve. Toyota doesn't sell it separately....I got an aftermarket one. It's some weird that these Toyota compressors have and have been the culprit of Sienna a/s issues also I am going to replace it soon and I should have a video on that when I do. I really hope this finally fixes the issue with our a/c on our Sienna.

@@itsaboutfam I have not taken it to a HVAC auto tech yet. Just to a normal mechanic shop. I am going to call around and get a couple more opinions. We are getting no cold air on either side of the vehicle. Well it feels cool if it is below like 75 degrees out. Our 2011 sienna only has 80k miles on it but we have had nothing but issues with it since we bought it with 25k miles.

Definitely take it to a place that can diagnose HVAC issues with proper HVAC gauges. You could just be low on refrigerant or something more involved. Hope you find the issues though. Summer is going to be rough without AC.

Not for me.. But I spent all that time and money changing it..

I ordered mine from Amazon.com

@@itsaboutfam thank you!

For this sensor...no you don't have to evacuate the system.

@@itsaboutfam thank you👍🏻

@@edwinruiz2889 you're welcome

Any tip to take out the ring?iits a pian in the ass Lol

You will have to wiggle it out while pulling up.

@@itsaboutfam Any other tips/tricks? Managed to get the clip off, but it's lodged in place. Sienna is 10 years old and it's in there good. Won't budge. Can't get it out.

Twisted a little bit rock it side to side it only move a little bit each way, when it loosens up a little bit then it just pulls right off as long as you have this c-clip removed

@@davidhosfield6915 No trick other that moving it side to side to loosen it. It's a tight spot for sure. The only real way to create more room is to remove the fan assembly.

I went to get the link on Amazon and it's no longer available. Just search for a Neodymium magnet.. its stronger than a regular magnet. It's a good temporary bandaid to the issue....but ultimately you want to replace the flow sensor.

@@itsaboutfam I got the dorman flow sensor today. hooked it up with the wire. Ac is working. But there is no way to get the old one out. So the new one justbhangs there like a usn dongle. I doubt there is anything fancy in the new one. Maybe just a jumper connecting the wires.

@@fuhuxia9432 Did you remove the snap ring that's holding the flow sensor to the compressor? If you did...you will have to maybe wiggle it loose.

@@itsaboutfam I did. I wiggled and I giggled. Eventually I used long flat head and hammer trying to break it apart but still it stuck there. Maybe I will get a longer pointy chisel next time.

@@itsaboutfam from this video it shows I was right. The aftermarket flow sensor stays a consistent reading, regardless where it is being placed. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VwdTZ7Sgzok.html

I would suggest getting or having some with a set of HVAC gauges to hook up to your vehicle. Your high and low pressure gauge readings can pretty much tell you what may be going on with your A/C system. If your gauge readings look good...check this video out. I finally fixed the issue on our Sienna even after replacing the Flow sensor and my expansion valve which was bad. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r-HklDOOpMQ.html