Air Conditioning Issues I'm having.

[Wangan]

The A/C in the car hasn't been used regularly for over a year. So I can understand why it's blowing only hot it needs to be recharged. But what I don't understand is why it only works intermittently. I turn it on everytime I get in the car. I live in florida and after a car has been sitting in the sun all day you develop a natural instinct to turn on the a/c immediately as soon as you get in.lol But I've noticed with the camry that sometimes I'll push the Lo button for it to come on and I get nothing. I figured that my exhaust was blocking out the noise so I press HI Button and I still get nothing. So i'm left with some questions.

1. If I recharge the A/C will it cure this problem?
2. If I do recharge the A/C and it doesn't cure this problem, what needs to be fixed or checked?
3. If it's the blower motor that needs to be changed will I need to recharge the A/C after replacing to blower motor or is it somewhat independent of the R134?

Someone help. It's fricken 80-90 Degrees here everyday with ridiculous humidity levels. This is the last thing preventing this car from becoming my daily again. Thanks guys.

[Kingdom934]

Sounds like it could be low. Do you hear the A/C compressor running when it does get cold? How about when it is warm? When was the last time it was recharged?

Chances are if it hasn't been recharged within the last some 15 or so years, it could still be using the R12 if it hasn't be converted to the R134

[Kep]

There are two components to consider first. The blower fan (which the high & low come into play) and the compressor (which delivers the cold). When you press hi or lo do you feel air coming from the vents (even though it may be hot)?

I'm pretty sure that the gen 2 air conditioning button lamp will flash when the ECU detects a problem. Does your light come on steady when you turn on the AC?

When you watch the AC pulley with the car running and the AC off you should notice that the outside is spinning with the belt and that the inside is stationary. When the switch is turned on and the AC starts you hear a click and the inside starts spinning along with the belt. Does yours?

Kep

[Wangan]

Originally Posted by Kingdom934

Sounds like it could be low. Do you hear the A/C compressor running when it does get cold? How about when it is warm? When was the last time it was recharged?

Chances are if it hasn't been recharged within the last some 15 or so years, it could still be using the R12 if it hasn't be converted to the R134

I was last recharged in 2003. But I'm sure it's dead now becasue when I turn it on it's nothing but warm air coming out.

[Wangan]

Originally Posted by Kep

There are two components to consider first. The blower fan (which the high & low come into play) and the compressor (which delivers the cold). When you press hi or lo do you feel air coming from the vents (even though it may be hot)?

I'm pretty sure that the gen 2 air conditioning button lamp will flash when the ECU detects a problem. Does your light come on steady when you turn on the AC?

When you watch the AC pulley with the car running and the AC off you should notice that the outside is spinning with the belt and that the inside is stationary. When the switch is turned on and the AC starts you hear a click and the inside starts spinning along with the belt. Does yours?

Kep

Yeah when I press hi or lo air comes out but it's hot. The light does come on steady when the A/C is on last I checked. I will look at the pulleys next time I am having an issue when I push the button and no air is coming out of the vents. In that situation does the blower motor need to be changed if I notice that the pulleys are spinning properly?

[Kep]

If the air is coming out the vents in the cabin the blower motor (that's the motor that circulates the air in the cabin) seems to be fine. If the AC light is on steady when you experience the problem I hope that the compressor is OK.

Next, if you shut down the AC for a while does it start back up? Too much or too little freon can result in overly cold evaporater which can freeze up (ice litterally plugs up the fins and the air can't pass through it to cool off efficently). Less desireable is that moisture has gotten into your freon and oil and is plugging up the expansion valve.

Just for grins, find your site glass (probably below the battery) on the drier. When the compressor is running you shouldn't see any bubbles. When it starts and stops there will be bubbles. I would be curious what yours is doing when you're having a problem.

Luck,
Kep

[Wangan]

thanks I'll definitely be getting more indepth with it soon.

[88' camry v6 LE]

I have the same problem with my car too. When I try to use the low fan button for the a/c or the heater, nothing happens. I'm thinking that its something to do with the blower unit. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks, Jon