Idle and AC problem?

[Jung2]

My A/C is intermittently. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I took it to an AC shop and they told me that it could be my idle or some valve on the AC that's causing the problem. After Cleaning the Idle Air Controller the car runs a lot better but the AC is still intermittent. Should I go ahead and have them remplace the AC valve or should I start with replacing IAC first?

[abew330]

have you poked around the bay? check all hose?

you only went to one shop?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Jung2

or some valve on the AC that's causing the problem.

There is only one valve on an A/C system, the Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV), if it's not a fixed orifice.

Should I go ahead and have them remplace the AC valve or should I start with replacing IAC first?

The "A/C valve" and the IAC valve are not the same thing and not related to your A/C problem. It sounds like cleaning the IAC was all you needed to restore proper idle. You may need a new TXV if a pressure test determined that is the problem. As abew330 said, take it to more than one shop for diagnosis and quote.

[Jung2]

Thanks for the info guys. I did take it two shops. One said it's the AC valve under the dashboard and the other said fix the idle first then the AC valve. So I guess it's that TXV next.

Is this something easy to replace? or do i have to vacuum the AC out? I was told I have to remove the entire dashboard out on a 97 Camry.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Jung2

...do i have to vacuum the AC out?

Yes.

I was told I have to remove the entire dashboard out on a 97 Camry.

Quite possible and this will account for most of the cost.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by Jung2

... So I guess it's that TXV next.

Is this something easy to replace? or do i have to vacuum the AC out? I was told I have to remove the entire dashboard out on a 97 Camry.

Complete crap -- the unit can be pulled from underneath (sort've to the left of the glovebox). See http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge...nditioning.pdf starting on page 27 for R&R instructions.

It's not technically difficult, but it does help to be a midget with really strong hands (I'm neither). I've done it once (on a '95...similar setup) and didn't enjoy the experience, but I'm too cheap to pay for something that doesn't require skill. You'll have to bleed off the refrigerant before starting, and draw vacuum / recharge afterwards. And don't forget to use new o-rings -- you don't want to pull the A/C unit twice just because you cheaped out and reused a dollar's worth of o-rings.

[Jung2]

Man I would like to do this myself. But I don't have the proper tools for it. I'll just have the shop do it for me. Again thanks for all the help. more power to the forum.