A/C not cooling anymore!

[eks]

Hey guys, got a 2003 corolla with 80k miles and the A/C isn't cooling anymore. Does this mean that the freon is low? How can I make sure it's low before adding any freon?

Any instructions on where to hook-up the freon can?

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by eks

Hey guys, got a 2003 corolla with 80k miles and the A/C isn't cooling anymore. Does this mean that the freon is low? How can I make sure it's low before adding any freon?

Any instructions on where to hook-up the freon can?

It could be a number of things. Does the AC light come on when you press it or just blows warm air? Can you hear the compressor click on during the cycle? Are the high and low lines hot/cold? Check the relay and condenser for holes/damage. I would take it to a shop to get the level checked.

[eks]

Originally Posted by mikered30

It could be a number of things. Does the AC light come on when you press it or just blows warm air? Can you hear the compressor click on during the cycle? Are the high and low lines hot/cold? Check the relay and condenser for holes/damage. I would take it to a shop to get the level checked.

The A/C light comes on, but it blows warm air. I do hear the compressor click on. Where are the high and low lines? Should they be hot or cold? Where is the A/C relay located? Would I be able to check the pressure of the AC with one of those cans from the auto parts stores?

[mikered30]

There are two lines coming out of the AC compressor. The low line (insulated and wrapped in zip ties), seen in this pic: http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...ibe/acmod1.jpg should be cold to the touch and maybe sweating when the AC is running. The other line, the high line should be hot to the touch.

If the low side line is not cool/cold, you probably have a bad compressor or undercharged system. If the low side line is VERY cold, or even frozen near the firewall, you have a restriction (dirt) problem in the evaporator coil may be VERY dirty.

The AC magnetic clutch relay is located in the fuse box under the hood: pull the lid to the box and read the panel that describes the location of the fuses/relays. I believe it is the bottom left relay if you are standing in front of the car, but don't quote me. If you want to check the AC relay, pull the horn relay and put it in the AC relay spot and see if you get cold air. My bet that your problem is the relay, and I don't bet much. If the relay is bad, it maybe slightly discolored, I would check the relay before I would look at anything else. They seem to be a problem on our cars. Autozone sells the relays, tell them you want a horn relay, much cheaper than the AC relay sold at the dealer.

Did you check the condenser for holes? That is the black radiator looking thing in front of the radiator that absorbs all of the rocks and debris.

The DIY AC recharge kits can be dangerous if not used correctly and I would shy away from doing it yourself. But if you want to try it, the pressure should be 25-40 on the low side and 200-250 on the high side but depends on the outside temp, usually high side reads about 2.5% times the ambient temp and test the pressure at about 1500 RPM.

[NMGeorge]

Originally Posted by mikered30

Did you check the condenser for holes? That is the black radiator looking thing in front of the radiator that absorbs all of the rocks and debris.

This was my very first thought as well.

[eks]

just going to check the relay. but I looked at the cover on the fuse box in the engine compartment and it's not there. so I looked at the manual and the relay is under the glove box. so would the horn relay still work in place of the ac relay?

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by eks

just going to check the relay. but I looked at the cover on the fuse box in the engine compartment and it's not there. so I looked at the manual and the relay is under the glove box. so would the horn relay still work in place of the ac relay?

The AC relay is called M/G CLT on the fuse lid, bottom left of fuse box under the hood (as you are facing the front of the car), it is a relay (block) not a fuse. Sorry that was not clear in my other post. My relay says denso but yours maybe different and you can switch it out with the horn relay, top left, 3rd one down.

I believe you were looking at the fuse, not the relay.

[eks]

Originally Posted by mikered30

The AC relay is called M/G CLT on the fuse lid, bottom left of fuse box under the hood (as you are facing the front of the car), it is a relay (block) not a fuse. Sorry that was not clear in my other post. My relay says denso but yours maybe different and you can switch it out with the horn relay, top left, 3rd one down.

I believe you were looking at the fuse, not the relay.

Yeah I was looking at the fuse and not the relay.

Well that was the problem!

You say to ask for a horn relay. But I looked at the Autozone website and the horn relay is $59.99 Part Number: 20141 and the A/C Compressor control relay is $27.99 Part Number: MT0610.

Am I looking at the right parts?

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by eks

Yeah I was looking at the fuse and not the relay.

Well that was the problem!

You say to ask for a horn relay. But I looked at the Autozone website and the horn relay is $59.99 Part Number: 20141 and the A/C Compressor control relay is $27.99 Part Number: MT0610.

Am I looking at the right parts?

I would go with the cheaper relay, but you can test it out in the Autozone parking lot as it is a quick swap to see if it works before you leave. Glad it was not anything major like the condenser.

[three57m]

If the low side line is VERY cold, or even frozen near the firewall, you have a restriction (dirt) problem in the evaporator coil may be VERY dirty.

My low side is very cold, Pressure on low side tests good, my blower is strong, no warning lights of any kind.
Would a dirty evaporator cause no cold air to blow?

2004 Tacoma 4X4 Standard Cab