aircon

[richardharmon]

I’m having a problem with my aircon, as in it’s not working! I’ve done a search and found some stuff on diagnostics but I don’t quite know what to make of the results.

 

The symptoms are:

 

If on a hot day I turn the temp dial down to minimum and switch on the A/C, the AC light comes on okay and the fan speed increases (in auto mode) as expected but the compressor clutch never engages.

 

If I turn the compressor wheel by hand (with engine off!) I do get bubbles in the inspection glass, but I obviously can’t check the inspection glass with the engine driving the compressor.

 

The diagnostic test leaves the right-hand light over the air re-circulation button flashing continually and nothing else.

 

Any ideas?

[Terminator]

The book says check:

 

•Air outlet damper circuit

•A/C amplifier

•Harness or connector between air mix position sensor and A/C amplifier.

 

You can check the glass! run the engine until nomal idle occurs put a/con controls to max fan and coolest setting, turn air con on. Pull the throttle cabel to get about 2000rpm and watch the glass it should have bubbles then clear after 20 seconds.

 

If I have got the fault code right it, does not sound like fluid charge level. Have you been behind the dash latley? Could be a connection.

[Terminator]

Just re-read your post, I got the wong code, it sounds more like fluid pressure than a circuit problem.

 

 

[richardharmon]

I have been behind the dash lately yes, just went there again to check the connectors, all *seems* fine and the controls all do what you would expect. I now have another flashing light, after driving home from work; the “front windscreen” light flashes once, then the re-circulation light once, the sequence then repeats. Could this just be low refrigerant?

 

What I meant when I said I couldn’t check the inspection glass was that the A/C pump clutch never engages so the pump never does anything.

[Need4Speed]

on a hot day I turn the temp dial down to minimum and switch on the A/C

It's a good idea to leave the a/c on all the time otherwise the gas will gradually escape.

[jagman]

sounds like you are low on refridgerant try getting it regassed -all aircon systems will leak slowly due porous hoses, leaks increase if aircon seldom used usually via compressor seals, case is if you

[Terminator]

The windscreen lamp or (defrost lamp) flashing means solar sensor circuit fault.

 

I would check coolant first as low levels can throw up spurious fault codes.

 

As John says it is best to run air con very regularly.

[richardharmon]

Okay, sounds about right, as it was darker when I left work. I will get it re-gassed and let you know.

 

Thanks to everyone,

Richard.

[richardharmon]

Found out what it was, there is a big hole in my condenser . I have posted in the For Sale/Wanted section. Does anyone know where I might get a new one cheaper than from Toyota?