99 Solara V6 A/C Issue

[99V6Solara]

I've got a 99 Solara sle v6 which has been to hell and back with me. I'm the 2nd owner and have had it since 2002. Lately I've been doing my own work on the car, saving $ and love learning more about the in's and out's of the car.

Recently the AC cut out and I'm trying to fix it with out a "diagnostic" and other over charged labor fees. The AC started squealing when first turned on a few months ago but would stop pretty quickly so didn't think any of it. Now the AC squeals horribly when started, you can hear something running harder (assuming the compressor?) and then it stops and the AC light starts blinking in the car. At this point it will still blow air but hot air.

I saw several answers and I know it's not the following:
1. I swapped the relay (90084-98031) with another one in the relay box and it still had the same issue.
2. I saw some posts about charging the AC but mine was ice cold until it cut out so doubt that's the case. Plus on all the posts I read it doesn't look like it fixed anything.

I read a post or two that mentioned the compressor or belts being off but they didn't go into any detail on testing or fixing the issue. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mister_Perkins]

1. The belt may need replaced or tensioned
2. The light could be flashing because the car is not detecting how fast the compressor is spinning (RPM Sensor)

The easiest thing to do with your car right now is to get the Amount of Freon in the system checked. I know you say that the AC Worked before this happened, but theres always a possibility that the freon escaped.

You could try to Jump the AC Relay on the fuse panel underneath the hood.. if the compressor kicks on, it could be a low charge of freon as well.

You could try to jump the high pressure switch. If your AC Works, the pressure switch could be bad.

[99V6Solara]

Thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out.

[rusty9]

Your compressor, bearing or clutch is seized up. theres an rpm sensor on there that will tell the computer to turn off the clutch(and make the a/c light blink) if the rpms dont match the engine to protect the system. If you jump the relay, you'll most likely just stall the engine out if the compressor is seized.

or maybe the belt is just loose lol

[fenixus]

check the basics, the a/c and alternator belt first. replace if old/glazed/loose/worn/etc.

since the same belt goes to alternator, do you have a problem with low charge on battery? ever checked battery voltage? do your headlights appear a little dimmer than they used to be?

other than that the a/c compressor might have a problem (e.g. running with no oil).

[99V6Solara]

So it turns out it was the compressor that's bad.

Thanks guys for your advice & help I appreciate it.