2003 Camry

[rickskees]

I have a 2003 4 cylinder Camry with 82k miles. My wife had the oil changed and they removed the filters and asked if she wanted them to replace them. She said that her husband (me) would do it, so they put them back in. The next day the A/C lights starts blinking and doesn't blow cold air. Could this be a filter problem, or possibly a freon problem?

[marc780]

What filters are you talking about? The cabin air filters? Yeah you can change em yourself i guess, but the filters probably have absolutely nothing to do with your A/C problem.

I cant imagine what the mechanics could have done to make your a/c not work unless they were just incompetent and/or malicious idiots (and truth be told there are plenty of both types working on cars these days). Maybe they drained some freon out of the valve by mistake, or maybe it is just sheer coincidence.

You can try recharging your freon yourself, they sell the kits everywhere. Buy one and follow the instructions. BUT FIRST check that your a/c compressor clutch engages when you push the button.
Remove the metal tray under the engine, start engine and have somebody work the a/c switch off and on. watch the compressor pulley, it should freewheel with switch OFF and turn with the rear pulley with switch ON. If it does this, i'd give the freon recharging a shot.

[rickskees]

I was talking about the A/C filters....it just seemed so coincidental. I did them to look at it for free to make sure they didnt mess somehthing up, and they said it looks like the compressor isnt getting power....any ideas?

[LE05]

there's a relay for the a/c compressor that commonly fails, i'm not sure what its called. you can try replacing that to see if thats the problem.

[danorthface]

filters won't do that.. it's the AC relay. $65 for the part, you can install it yourself easy.

[rickskees]

Thanks guys-weird thing happened. You know how there are three sections for the AC/Heat-1) on/off level, 2)temp level, and 3)placement (defrost, legs, etc). Well, now the back lights for the on/off and temp level are not lighting up, but the backlight for the placement is still lit. Does that make sense? Think they are tied together and this is an electrical issue?