'99 Corolla A/C light blinking - car shuts itself off

[redskins13]

So this is actually my first post – well my second. My first didn’t go through and I lost the whole thing in cyberspace. Anywhoo, my name is Greg, and I’m from Akron (outside Lancaster [yes, Amish everywhere]), PA and work in Sinking Spring, PA, (just outside of Reading – one of the drug capitals of the continent). I am 25, married to a lovely wife and have a daughter who is about 16 months and just got her check-up yesterday and everything is good!

I have a ’99 Corolla, obviously. I think it’s a VE 16V 4C FWD 14” Auto-trans

Here’s the sequence:

• Start the car (A/C light blinks)
• Put the fan speed selector switch in the “OFF” position
• Put the air direction switch in the position that defrosts/defogs the windshield at the same time as warming your feet – you know just a ½ turn clock-wise and you’re on FULL defrost/defog of just the windshield.
• Put the directional selector to defrost/defog just the windshield.
• Turn the fan on to even the lowest setting
• A/C light comes ON and car shuts OFF.

I can actually catch it before it stalls out if I quick switch it back off, though. That got me thinking electrical problem, so I checked all the fuses. They are fine. I was thinking maybe the battery or the alternator are going or are gone.

The manual says that the blinking A/C light means that the system needs servicing [by the DEALER!!!].

Now we all know I don’t want to do that. Ball’s in your court guys and gals…..show me the way!!!!

TIA,
Greg

[igorien2k]

is your A/C cooling properly? if its not cooling you can get it refilled and chances are it will turn off the A/C light. what's probably happening is that the ECU sees the low refrigirant level and shuts off the car to prevent compressor damage(the refrigerant also lubricates the compressor). You can probably get it serviced by any mechanic. He should be able to fix it.

[redskins13]

I have a mechanic, but that's who I'm trying to avoid. We don't have a pot to piss in right now, and I just need her to be able to de-fog.

By the way, I can't run the A/C w/out the car shutting off, so how can I tell if it is cooling properly.

Also, I've heard many people say, "Oh, just throw some more refrigerant in there" and that being a cure-all to many A/C woes, but I've also heard that a lot of people do this rather than properly servicing/fixing their A/C systems. I don't want to jack a bunch of R134 in there only to have it go and destroy the Ozone and cost me another fill-up PLUS whatever else is wrong.

Could the clutch be freezing when it engages, causing the belt stoppage, in turn causing the motor to stop running?

Could this just be a matter of an A/C clutch?

Thanks
Greg

[redskins13]

bump

[redskins13]

bump again...

[REN69]

Your car probably doesn't use freon dude, I believe any car after 92 or 93 has already been converted to non-freon stuff.

BTW could it be maybe you have an alarm in the car that you don't know about?? some places wire up alarm systems to certain buttons. I've seen defrost buttons and AC buttons being used in alarm systems before.

[redskins13]

It might not need FREON per-se, but it might need REFRIGERANT...

It does have an after-market alarm, but I have it manually disabled....just like it was before this problem started.

Anyone think that maybe there's just enough refrigerant in the car that when it gets cold enough the refrigerant contracts and goes JUST low enough for the 'puter to recognize that the refrigerant pressure is low and that triggers the A/C trouble indicator (A/C button blinking)?

Also someone mentioned that maybe an idler or an idler switch or the idle control on the 'puter might not be compensating for the additional draw of power from the A/C, thereby not increasing the RPM's 300-500 to supply this additional power?

Anything? Bueller?

Greg

[redskins13]

bump...sorry

[SR5_4WD]

I'd at least inquire somewheres about the refigerant level, that way you might find the problem, or at least rule it out. Good luck

[redskins13]

the refrigerant level must be OK....the A/C now comes on and stays on, blowing very cold air the whole time.

that would then basically rule the entire A/C system, right?

Greg

[SR5_4WD]

My car doesn't have a/c so I'm not sure about the whole system, but it sounds like the fluid level is OK. Get Toyota on the phone and explain to them what is going on. I don't know how they are down your way, but over here they are quite helpful. Give them the symptoms, and they might be able to tell you a quick solution, or at least give you some indication of a part that needs to replaced. Call Toyota and let us know what they say!

[redskins13]

I did call, and all they said is that for $75.00 they can hook my car up to a computer and run diagnostics.

I knew that before I called.....

[SR5_4WD]

hmmm...so basically I guess find someone else that can find the problem, OR pay 75$ for something that may not even find out whats wrong. I'm stumped.

[redskins13]

no kidding....kind of sucks, though, right? What am I gonna do!!! I don't have $75.00 to piss away - this board is my ONLY hope (from star wars).

Greg

PS thanks Bryn

[SR5_4WD]

I think I have an idea. But you may have to sacrifice your a/c. Just take the a/c fuse out! It should run fine without it. Perhaps that could be a temporary solution until you can either pay the 75 or find a tech head that knows what your taking about. But try taking the A/C fuse out, it should do the trick. And if it still does it when the fuse is out, then it's not your a/c.