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System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Toyota Corolla. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. GENERAL 

    The air conditioning system has the following controls:

    Control Outline
    Neural Network Control This control is capable of effecting complex control by artificially simulating the information processing method of the nervous system of living organisms in order to establish a complex input or output relationship that is similar to a human brain.
    Outlet Air Temperature Control In compliance with the temperature set at the temperature control switch, the neural network control calculates the outlet temperature based on the input signals from various sensors. In addition, corrections in accordance with the signals from the evaporative temperature sensor and engine coolant temperature sensor are added to control the outlet air temperature.
    Blower Control Controls the blower motor in accordance with the airflow volume that has been calculated by the neural network control based on the input signals from various sensors.
    Air Outlet Control Automatically switches the outlets in accordance with the outlet mode ratio that has been calculated by the neural network control based on the input signals from various sensors.
    Air Inlet Control Automatically controls the air inlet control damper in accordance with the airflow volume that has been calculated by the neural network control.
    Variable Capacity Compressor Control Controls the compressor to turn ON or OFF and the discharge capacity based on the signals from various sensors.
    Ambient Temperature Indication Control Based on the signals from the ambient temperature sensor, this control calculates the ambient temperature, which is then corrected in the air conditioning amplifier, and shown in the multi-information display in the combination meter.
    Rear Window Defogger Control Switches the rear defogger and outside rear view mirror heaters on for 15 minutes when the rear defogger button is pressed. Switches them OFF if the button is pressed while they are operating.
    Self-diagnosis Checks the sensors in accordance with the operation of air conditioning switches, then temperature setting displays a DTC (Diagnosis Trouble Code) to indicate if there is a malfunction or not (sensor check function).
    Drives the actuators through a predetermined sequence in accordance with the operation of the air conditioning switches (actuator check function).
  2. NEURAL NETWORK CONTROL 
    • In previous automatic air conditioning systems, the A/C amplifier determined the required outlet air temperature and blower air volume in accordance with the calculation formula that has been obtained based on information received from the sensors.

      However, because the senses of a person are rather complex, a given temperature is sensed differently, depending on the environment in which the person is situated. For example, a given amount of solar radiation can feel comfortably warm in a cold climate, or extremely uncomfortable in a hot climate. Therefore, as a technique for effecting a higher level of control, a neural network has been adopted in the automatic air conditioning system. With this technique, the data that has been collected under varying environmental conditions is stored in the A/C amplifier. The A/C amplifier can then effect control to provide enhanced air conditioning comfort.

    • The neural network control consists of neurons in the input layer, intermediate layer, and output layer. The input layer neurons process the input data of the outside temperature, the amount of sunlight, and the cabin temperature based on the outputs of the switches and sensors, and output them to the intermediate layer neurons. Based on this data, the intermediate layer neurons adjust the strength of the links among the neurons. The sum of these is then calculated by the output layer neurons in the form of the required outlet temperature, solar correction, target airflow volume, and outlet mode control volume. Accordingly, the A/C amplifier controls the servo motors and blower motor in accordance with the control volumes that have been calculated by the neural network control.
    Fig 1: Neural Network Control System Diagram
    GTY188877Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  3. MODE POSITION AND DAMPER OPERATION 
    1. Mode position and damper operation
      Fig 2: Front Defroster Operation Diagram
      GTY208330GTY138459GTY131767GTY131294GTY131487GTY142978Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002© TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002© TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002© TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002© TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002© TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      FUNCTIONS OF MAIN DAMPERS:

      Control Damper Operation Position Damper Position Operation
      Air Inlet Control Damper FRESH A Brings in fresh air.
      RECIRC B Recirculates internal air.
      Air Mix Control Damper MAX COLD to MAX HOT Temperature Setting
      16°C (61°F) to 30°C (86°F)
      C - D - E Varies the mixture ratio of the fresh air and the recirculation air in order to regulate the temperature continuously from HOT to COLD.
      Mode Control Damper DEF
      GTY138459Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      H, K Defrosts the windshield through the front defroster and side register.
      FOOT/DEF
      GTY131767Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      H, J Defrosts the windshield through the front defroster and side register, while air is also blown out from the front foot well register ducts.
      FOOT
      GTY131294Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      H, I Air blows out of the footwell register duct and side register. In addition, air blows out slightly from the front defroster.
      BI-LEVEL
      GTY131487Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      F, I Air blows out of the center register, side register, and front footwell register ducts.
      FACE
      GTY142978Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      F, K Air blows out of the center register and side register.
  4. AIR OUTLETS AND AIRFLOW VOLUME 
    1. Air Outlets and Airflow Volume
      Fig 3: Identifying Air Outlets And Airflow Diagram
      GTY207580Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      INDICATION
      (MODE)
      CTR SIDE FOOTWELL DEFROSTER
      A B C D
      GTY142978Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      FACE
      GTY126537Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY126537Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY131487Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      BI-LEVEL
      GTY164685Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY164685Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY132793Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY131294Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      FOOT
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY132099Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY132793Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY132099Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY131767Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      FOOT/DEF
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY164685Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY164685Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY164685Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY138459Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      DEF
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY132099Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY165921Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      GTY126537Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      The size of the circle ◦ indicates the proportion of airflow volume.

  5. BLOWER MOTOR 

    The blower motor has a built-in blower controller, and is controlled with duty control from the A/C amplifier.

  6. BUS CONNECTOR 
    1. A BUS connector is used in the wire harness connection that connects the servo motor from the A/C amplifier.
      1. for TMC Made
        Fig 4: Identifying BUS Connector In Wire Harness Connection (TMC Made)
        GTY208702Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      2. except TMC Made
        Fig 5: Identifying BUS Connector In Wire Harness Connection (NUMMI And TMC Made)
        GTY207581Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. Each BUS connector has a built-in communication/driver IC which communicates with each servo motor connector, actuates the servo motor, and has a position detection function. This enables bus communication for the servo motor wire harness, for a more lightweight construction and a reduced number of wires.
      Fig 6: BUS Connectors Circuit Diagram
      GTY178790Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  7. SERVO MOTOR 
    1. In contrast to the previous type that detects the position using potentiometer voltage, the pulse pattern type servo motor detects the relative position using the 2-bit ON/OFF signals.

      The forward and reverse revolutions of this motor are detected by way of two phases, A and B, which output four types of patterns. The air conditioning amplifier counts the number of pulse patterns in order to determine the stopped position.

      Fig 7: Air Conditioning Amplifier Of Pulse Patterns
      GTY207572Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  8. COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY WITH PULLEY 
    1. General
      1. The compressor assembly with pulley is a continuously variable capacity type in which its capacity varies in accordance with the cooling load of the air conditioning system.
      2. The compressor consists of the shaft, lug plate, piston, shoe, crank chamber, cylinder, and solenoid control valve.
      3. The solenoid control valve is provided to enable the suction pressure to be controlled as desired.
      4. A plastic DL (Damper Limiter) type A/C pulley is used.
      5. A rotary type valve is used to suction refrigerant gas into the cylinder.
        Fig 8: Identifying A/C Compressor Components
        GTY190947Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. Operation
      1. The crank chamber is connected to the suction passage. A solenoid control valve is provided between the suction passage (low pressure) and the discharge passage (high pressure).
      2. The solenoid control valve operates under duty cycle control in accordance with the signals from the air conditioning amplifier.
        Fig 9: A/C Compressor Operation Diagram
        GTY207573Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      3. When the solenoid control valve closes (solenoid coil is energized), a difference in pressure is created and the pressure in the crank chamber decreases. Then, the pressure that is applied to the right side of the piston becomes greater than the pressure that is applied to the left side of the piston. This compresses the spring and tilts the lug plate. As a result, there is a large piston stroke and the discharge capacity increases.
        Fig 10: A/C Compressor Operation Diagram (Solenoid Coil Is Energized)
        GTY207574Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      4. When the solenoid control valve opens (solenoid coil is not energized), the difference in pressure disappears. Then, the pressure that is applied to the left side of the piston becomes the same as the pressure that is applied to the right side of the piston. Thus, the spring elongates and eliminates the tilt of the lag plate. As a result, there is a small piston stroke and the discharge capacity decreases.
        Fig 11: A/C Compressor Operation Diagram (Solenoid Coil Is Not Energized)
        GTY174732Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  9. ROOM TEMPERATURE SENSOR 

    The room temperature sensor detects the cabin temperature based on changes in the resistance of its built-in thermistor and sends a signal to the A/C amplifier.

  10. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR 

    The ambient temperature sensor detects the outside temperature based on changes in the resistance of its built-in thermistor and sends a signal to the A/C amplifier.

  11. EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR 

    The evaporator temperature sensor detects the temperature of the cool air immediately after the evaporator in the form of resistance changes, and outputs it to the A/C amplifier.

  12. SOLAR SENSOR 

    The solar sensor detects the changes in the amount of sunlight and outputs it to the A/C amplifier in the form of voltage changes.

  13. A/C PRESSURE SENSOR 

    The A/C pressure sensor detects the refrigerant pressure and outputs it to the A/C amplifier in the form of voltage changes.

  14. PTC HEATER (w/ PTC Heater Assembly) 
    1. General
      1. The PTC heater is located above the heater core in the air conditioner unit.
      2. The PTC heater consists of a PTC element, aluminum fin, and brass plate. When current is applied to the PTC element, it generates heat to warm the air that passes through the unit.
        Fig 12: Identifying PTC Heater, PTC Element, Aluminum Fin And Brass Plate
        GTY208595Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. PTC Heater Operating Conditions
      1. The PTC heater is turned on and off by the air conditioning amplifier in accordance with the coolant temperature, ambient temperature, engine speed, air mix setting, and electrical load (generator power ratio).

        For example, the number of the operating PTC heaters varies by the coolant temperature as in the graph below.

        Fig 13: Identifying PTC Heater Operating Conditions Graph
        GTY208530Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  15. A/C FLOW SENSOR (for 2ZR-FE) 

    The A/C flow sensor, which is mounted on the compressor assembly with pulley, is used to detect the amount of refrigerant flow. The A/C flow sensor converts the amount of refrigerant flow that is detected to a voltage value to send it to the A/C amplifier. The voltage value sent from the A/C flow sensor changes depending on the amount of refrigerant flow. As the amount of refrigerant flow becomes larger, the voltage becomes lower. As the amount of refrigerant flow becomes smaller, the voltage becomes higher. The A/C amplifier supplies 5 V to the A/C flow sensor and monitors change in the voltage value sent from the A/C flow sensor. The A/C amplifier then sends a signal to the ECM via CAN communication to allow the ECM to control the engine speed while the air conditioning is on.