A/C - whats going on?

[Venom_5]

so for about 1.5 years now, my a/c has been giving me problems ...

for the longest time i have thought it is the a/c compressor, considering there is a weird noise coming from that area ... but then again, its right next to a bunch of other stuff too so who really knows

the problem is, i dont really get cool air ... im workin with R134a here or w/e ... brought it in for a "recharge" last summer ... did no good

now, the weirdest thing happened today ... i changed the sliding switch to draw air from outside rather than recirculate ... i kept the a/c engaged [light was constant green as usual] and my air stayed cool ... for like an hour

which is a record for my car ... and it was 90 degrees today ... yesterday it was set to recirculate and it was like 80 degrees, and my air turned hot after 10 minutes

first off, when i change that setting ... where does it draw air from?

secondly, if its NOT my a/c compressor (i really hope it isnt, because thats a few hundred to replace ... but im pretty sure thats the problem) what else could it be?

i dont really understand my camry's a/c system ... havent had to work on my camry that much ... i do know that i got some of that brown foam stuff taken out in pieces when it flew thru my vents 3 or 4 years ago ... but other than that my a/c has been fine ... it did the customary blinking-light thing 2 years ago as well ... but now the light is either on or off and the button is functioning fine

[Purplehaza1987]

might need to apply some sort or grease if their a noise to the a/c belt or if not new compressor

[toyomoho]

The weird noise could be the A/C clutch; these are known to make noise on Gen_3. Next time the A/C is on but not working check A/C compressor to see if it is really working. If so, could be the vent system. If not, find out why.

The link below provides access to service manuals that will cover the A/C.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[Stillrunning]

Since you got better cold air when outside hot air was drawn in and little cold on recirculation I would suspect the thermistor. It is a temperature sensor that prevents the evaporator from getting too cold and icing up. When you bring in outside hot air, that loads the A/C system, and since you got better cold air then I would say your system is ok. On recirc. you add cool air back into the flow. If the thermistor is faulty it may assume colder than actual air and shut the A/C flow off to allow the evaporator to warm. You can check the thermistor with an OHM meter. I don't think you have to remove the evaporator to get at it. If you can get access under the dash to the evaporator you can remove the thermistor and test it.

[Sniperdude]

I have the same issue, except my stays cool at ignition for about 30 minutes or less, sometimes more, and then switches to humid hot air.

I still don't know what it is. I've asked close to 50 people.

[Venom_5]

yeah sniperdude, everyone gives me a new answer

and today i drove it with recirculating air, and it was cool for like 40 mins then went to hot air .... i think its the compressor

i think the air-source switch thing the other day was just a fluke

[Stillrunning]

Well it could also be your heat control valve, the one that diverts heat from the engine to the heater core. Vacuum could be failing so it opens or it could be leaking. You may also want to check the vacuum switching valve that controls your air ducting.