AC Amplifier for 90 Camry

[scoathy]

Anyone know what the "AC Amplifier" does on a 90 camry DX? Apparently mine is intermittent so the AC guy is gonna bypass it for now. He stated that it was a small circuit board sitting underneath the AC evaporator in the dash of the car. He also stated that with the amplifier bypassed, the ac is working like a champ. I have had the entire AC system replaced with the exception of this one part because the entire system was bunk. I'm about $700 into AC system parts/labor and hoping this little board is not really necessary... haha.

[71Corolla]

It works in conjunction with the A/C cut amplifier. They are responsible for such things as regulating the duty cycle of the compressor, activating the idle up solenoid, disabling the compressor depending on the throttle, engine temps etc. I don't know how exactly your mechanic "bypassed" the unit, but that does not sound right to me. The main ECU sends and receives signals from the A/C amplifier as well I believe.

Why not just replace the board, there are millions of them in the wrecking yards.

[scoathy]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

It works in conjunction with the A/C cut amplifier. They are responsible for such things as regulating the duty cycle of the compressor, activating the idle up solenoid, disabling the compressor depending on the throttle, engine temps etc. I don't know how exactly your mechanic "bypassed" the unit, but that does not sound right to me. The main ECU sends and receives signals from the A/C amplifier as well I believe.

Why not just replace the board, there are millions of them in the wrecking yards.

Doesn't sound right to me either... haha Hence my posting. if was something that really did'nt really do anything then I would reamin satisfied with the bypass. there are serveral pick n pull yards in the DFW area, I'll stop by one next week and grab one. I'm hoping to resolve the AC issues and not cause anything else to go wrrong with the AC system. when I stated the entire ac system has been replaced I meant everything, except the ac amplifier. I suppose I should purchase an A/C cut amplifier as well just to be safe. Hopefully they are inexpensive... it is sickening how much money I have put into this car over the past few weeks...

thanks for the response!

[scoathy]

Replaced the AC AMP, AC Cut Amp, VSV, and the valve that screws into the side of the intake and connects to the vacuum lines running off the VSV. Idle up valve I suppose. after that the ac was running fine this morning. This afternoon the light started flashing.

Finally figured out how to remove the jumper wire that the tech installed. started the car, turned on the AC and the AC was running but the car's idle was all over the place

Hmmm... what else did the tech do? He mentioned replacing a relay. I took a look at the Magnetic clutch relay. he had installed a non-oem relay that had the guides cut off so it would connect. I removed it and installed one I picked up from Pick'n'Pull yesterday that I tested good. Turned on the AC and everything seems to be working fine for now.

Fingers crossed, she was blowing 34 degrees at the center vent this morning and low 40s this afternoon in the extreme heat of the day, idling up when the AC is switched on and no flashy AC light so far.

Thanks for the assistance in what I hope is a resolved issue.

Now to find out what is making all the flapping noise when the blower is on high... LOL