How to tell if there is a leak? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jon456 · 05-01-2008, 01:31 PM

I just had freon put in my 98 XLS a few weeks ago, and now it doesn't feel nearly as cold as it should and did. What seems to be wrong? How would I know even if there is a leak.

jon456 · 05-01-2008, 03:20 PM

This doesn't make any sense, the A/C coming out of the passengers side feels cold while the A/C coming out of the drivers side is warm. And its just a single zone climate control. What is wrong?

***toyomoho*** · 05-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Is this an automatic climate control system? If so perhaps the doors that control airflow are not working right. These doors shift airflow around the car.

jon456 · 05-01-2008, 05:47 PM

Yes, it is auto climate control. The fan speeds work fine though and the air pressure is fine. The temperature is just much warmer on the driver's side.

jon456 · 05-02-2008, 02:59 PM

Come on, nobody here knows? Help me out please.

TMack409 · 05-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon456

I just had freon put in my 98 XLS a few weeks ago, and now it doesn't feel nearly as cold as it should and did. What seems to be wrong? How would I know even if there is a leak.

Air Conditioners cool better when freon levels are at their lowest. In fact, the best way to tell when your system is low on freon is when it ices up. All things being equal. So, this is why the low pressure side is measured and set for a cooling temperature of about 34 degrees F at the condenser - using the proper amount of Freon.

jon456 · 05-02-2008, 08:07 PM

OK.... but why is one side blowing cold air and not the other? And where are the sensors located for judging the interior temperature?

TMack409 · 05-03-2008, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon456

OK.... but why is one side blowing cold air and not the other? And where are the sensors located for judging the interior temperature?

The internal workings of an automobile A/C system are beyond the capabilities of most DIY'ers. It's a complex system of vacuum lines and servos, amplifiers, and sensors. Because they fail so rarely, only professionals who are dedicated to A/C work are going to have a clue. If you are still hellbent on trying to troubleshoot this yourself - then download the Toyota manual and follow the troubleshooting procedures. But I'm betting that you're going to have to have some proprietary tools and gauges to follow the troubleshooting charts.

Failing that route, I would verify that there's not too much of a freon charge in the system. Then I would start looking for vacuum leaks in the engine compartment - near the area where the tech that charged your system might be working. And lastly, I would look for bad grounds - starting at the battery cables and working my way towards the A/C amplifier.

If you are really serious about DIY - then download the ALL-DATA guide (fee based) which most likely will have a history with /and solution to this problem.