Diag Question: 1990 Camry A/C Compressor or Clutch?

[jamesholden]

ride: 1990 Camry Wagon, 3sfe, auto 4sp.

issue: when i'm at speed (55mph) and try to turn on the A/C i hear a crazy squeel, it doesn't cool, and the light starts to cycle.

if i am at idle and cycle on the A/C it cools just fine, but if i cycle it off and try to cycle it on without dropping RPM's i get the squeel again.

i recently converted over to r134a because it wasn't cooling as good as it should have been last year, so there is a possibility i could have done something wrong there.

what i need to know is should i suspect the A/C compressor or the clutch (what i'm leaning towards)

i'm aware i should try to tighten the belt before i break out my jump to conclusions mat also..

i'd rather not have to replace the compressor right now, given i just filled the system with gas-- and the fact that i'm on a junkyard budget, so the one i get might be in worse shape.

anything i should pay more attention to or that i've overlooked, anything i should know about a a/c clutch swap on a '90?

[white90dx]

A squeal would usually indicate a loose belt, but the flashing light indicated possible other problems (clutch, etc.).

Verify that the belt is good and not slipping before moving on to any more expensive possible fixes.

-Charlie

[PaulPR]

Sounds like the compressor has siezed. When the clutch engages, the compressor won't turn and you hear the squeel. The clutch then disengages to allow it to freewheel. You should just be able to open the hood and look to see what's going on. Regarding the flashing A/C light, the owner's manual says: "If the indicator light flashes, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. There may be a slippage of the drive belt or a trouble [sic] in the compressor. If this happens, the air conditioner is automatically turned off to avoid damage to the drive belt." Our '91 did the same thing ~3 years ago and it was the compressor.

Edit:
I should have read your post more closely. If it works fine if you turn on the AC at idle, I'd start by checking the belt tension and/or replacing the belt.

Good Luck

[jamesholden]

long delayed followup-

i tightened the belt with the help of mr trusty 2x4, symptoms seem to be gone..