96 Avalon A/C won't blow cold

[winterwolfe]

I have an 1996 Avalon. The a/c will not blow cold. I have replaced the compressor but when I added refrigerant it seems to cycle to the High side and stay there. The Air acts like it wants to go cold but doesn't. Then the a/c button in the cabin flashes like if it is low on refrigerant even though I know it has close to a max fill. Anyone have ideas what is wrong?

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by winterwolfe

I have an 1996 Avalon. The a/c will not blow cold. I have replaced the compressor but when I added refrigerant it seems to cycle to the High side and stay there. The Air acts like it wants to go cold but doesn't. Then the a/c button in the cabin flashes like if it is low on refrigerant even though I know it has close to a max fill. Anyone have ideas what is wrong?

How did you know the compressor was bad? Did you evacuate and hold full vacuum for 20-30 mins before recharging? How much refrigerant and oil did you add? What type of oil did you use?

[bob2]

there's something called an expansion valve. sounds like you might need 1...

[SyStEmOfEvIl]

Originally Posted by bob2

there's something called an expansion valve. sounds like you might need 1...

x2, That was my problem when I first got the car. The A/C would only blow cold once in a while. Started with the valve and that was the problem.

[winterwolfe]

Originally Posted by artbuc

How did you know the compressor was bad? Did you evacuate and hold full vacuum for 20-30 mins before recharging? How much refrigerant and oil did you add? What type of oil did you use?

The clutch wouldn't engage. It started smoking a bit when jumped. I added just under two pounds of refrigerant. The min is 1.76 and the max is 1.96. With the old and new compressor all my refrigerant seems to be stuck on the high side. Just not sure where to start. I really fear doing the evaporator valve. I really don't want to take the dash out.

[SyStEmOfEvIl]

Originally Posted by winterwolfe

The clutch wouldn't engage. It started smoking a bit when jumped. I added just under two pounds of refrigerant. The min is 1.76 and the max is 1.96. With the old and new compressor all my refrigerant seems to be stuck on the high side. Just not sure where to start. I really fear doing the evaporator valve. I really don't want to take the dash out.

You don't take the dash out, There is a write up somewhere about it. You pull out your glove compartment and some trim pieces. If your at all mechanically inclined it shouldn’t be a bad job for you. Also depends on how much patience you have, as it can be a bit challenging and a lot of weird positions for your body to be in so you get a good angle at what your doing.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by winterwolfe

The clutch wouldn't engage. It started smoking a bit when jumped. I added just under two pounds of refrigerant. The min is 1.76 and the max is 1.96. With the old and new compressor all my refrigerant seems to be stuck on the high side. Just not sure where to start. I really fear doing the evaporator valve. I really don't want to take the dash out.

Again, did you pull a full vacuum on the system and hold it for 30 mins? Air and/or moisture in your system can cause what you are describing.

[winterwolfe]

I haven't run a full vacuum for 30 mins. I will try but I had this issue before swapping compressors and last year it did run cold, so I am not sure how I got air/mosture into the line. Anything is worth a try with how hot it is.

[bob2]

if you do the expansion valve, remove the passenger's seat...