1997 Camry A/c Fuse?

[fauszra]

Driving home the other night during a rain storm, the A/C was blowing cold and strong. For whatever reason, I flipped the "recycle cabin air" control slider from the recycle mode to the "fresh air" mode (not sure on the technical terms...) It seems that right when I did that, the fan quit working. When I got home, I had discovered that the fuse that controls the fan and the rear defogger blew. I believe it is fuse "20" in the dash fuse box. Its a 10A. I changed the fuse, fan worked, however, no A/C. The control slider happened to be on the "recycle air" mode and flipped to "fresh air" and fan went out again. I haven't changed the fuse again yet as I am out of them and local autoparts store closed on sunday. But I am still confused as to why the A/C would quit working. I'm not sure what other fuses could be changed, but I don't think I have a freon leak or compressor issue. Any help would be great. I've done minor work on the vehicle and my motorcycle, but I'm not the best at diagnosis.

Thanks in advance!

[dc_98_cam]

Have you checked the 10A A/C fuse ... inside engine compartment, fuse box on driver's side?

[BamZipPow]

Check the wire harness to see if it might be rubbing against something when you switch over. Might have worn a spot and it shorts out when it gits moved...

[fauszra]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

Have you checked the 10A A/C fuse ... inside engine compartment, fuse box on driver's side?

That was the first one I checked. It didn't appear to be blown, however I probably should have changed it out just for good measures.

And I have not checked the wiring harness either. I understand why that would blow a fuse, but that doesn't explain why the A/C would go out all of a sudden - unless of course it shorted out the compressor or such thing, but isn't that what fuses are for...?

[dc_98_cam]

There is a magnetic clutch relay .... relay box in engine compartment ... next to fuse box on driver side.
You can test this relay ... instructions are in service manual ... or maybe replace with one from salvage yard.
Do you have a service manual?

[fauszra]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

There is a magnetic clutch relay .... relay box in engine compartment ... next to fuse box on driver side.
You can test this relay ... instructions are in service manual ... or maybe replace with one from salvage yard.
Do you have a service manual?

I have the owner's manual, but no service manual... Go figure, got just about every mustang service manual, but not for a car in which I currently own...

[dc_98_cam]

Can you take a look at the belt end of the compressor and see if it looks like the clutch is engaged?

There is a black wire with a white stripe that goes to the magnetic clutch.
Can you locate this wire? If it has12v going to it, the compressor should turn, the clutch should lock. A voltmeter probe should show 12v ... with respect to a chassis ground if everything is working properly.

If the clutch is not engaged .... not spinning the compressor shaft .... possible causes might be:

1. Refrigerant volume
2. A.C Fuse
3. HTR Fuse
4. Magnetic clutch relay
5. Magnetic clutch
6. Compressor
7. Pressure switch
8. Heater main relay
9. Blower speed control switch
10.A/C switch
11. A/C amplifier
12.Wire harness