[elvasoshexai]

um. if my air condition completely does not work, would that require me to replace my entire a/c system? or could it be just 1-2 things need to be changed? it hasn't worked for at least a few years now. is there a way to figure out exactly which part isn't working if there is no need to replace entire system? and about how much would it cost to replace? my dad said he went to a few places and they all costed around $1kCDN to fix. Not only that, the shops also said even if replaced, you will still need to get it fixed every yr or so. is that true? thanks.

 

[amerikim]

no,yes,yes, don't know, no.

You are welcome

 

[da_horse]

^ :lol: brilliant answer

best thing for u to do is take it to the a shop. it could be that the compressor bearing is gone, ur out of gas etc...most shops should be able to diagnose it for u.


all the best

 

[elvasoshexai]

it's been to 2 shops. and both are around $1k. i'm not sure if it's because they plan to not diagnose the problem and just replace the whole thing or what. which is why i was wondering if i could just somehow fix it myself

 

[es250nut]

Any shop that is worth it's salt should be able to justify their estimate. In other words they should be able to tell you what they think is wrong with your A/C and what that $1000 is going to be used for. (What parts they plan on replacing and the labor cost involved)

If they can't do that, I certainly wouldn't trust them with a lawn mower let alone my car.

 

[Your Uncle Moe]

What kind of car do you have? Thats a VERY important piece of information that you left out.

 

[elvasoshexai]

o. sorry. i have a 93 camry le. hah thought that it didn't matter which car.

hm. would it cost $ for a shop to just take a look and diagnose the problem? I'm guessing the shops that looked before didn't look at all and just planned to replace entire system

 

[Ikon]

u got to find a reliable mechanic to get a reliable quote...in terms of $1k CAN like what was said above it depends on whats being done

when they referred to work being done every year...i think they're referring to a a/c recharge..which -no- doesnt have to be done every year just when u feel the a/c isnt as cold

when u say ur a/c doenst work u have to be more specific...i.e. u turn on the a/c air comes out..the a/c button is on..no cold air regardless of how long uve been waiting or...

u turn on the a/c but no air blows out..

first check ur fuses...it could be as simple as a blown a/c fuse...

second if it blows air but not cold...its probably the compressor...which is a pretty penny...if ur looking to save money look for an aftermarket compressor..rebuilt less reliable in my opinion and o.e. toyota is WAY too expensive

third if worst comes to worst..go to a reliable garage and foot the bill...if u can't the fall is coming up and winter is on the way...u wont need a/c for like 6 months :lol:

 

[elvasoshexai]

hah, yea i know winter is coming. but i'm just hoping if it doesn't cost too much i can probably fix it.

anyway, ok. my normal air works. ie, i can get normal air from outside to blow the inside. when i press the a/c button, there's still the air from outside. but just that it's still not cold. no matter how long it takes.

I'll try and check a few more things later tonight. um.. where can i check my fuses?

the mechanic SHOULD be reliable. he's supposedly my dad's 'friend'. Personally, I think he doesn't do the best of jobs. but supposedly we've went to him for 10yrs at least.... My dad is just like that. even if the person doesn't do the best job. he'll still go to him if they are friends.

 

[Ikon]

that does suck..my dad has a mech like that down where they live

if the air is running most likely it isnt a fuse..but if u just wanna check..near the parking brake is the change cup u know near the emergency brake release to the left of ur steering wheel..just open it and push the slides in to take it out another fuse box is located under the hood behind the battery...those are the two that have most fuses pop

if he is gonna do the work it really shouldnt come out to 1k CAD...ask what hes gonna do..if its just a a/c compressor replace ask him how much the part is and if he can get a aftermarket part cheaper

i had mine done a while ago..i dont think i have the receipt but if i can find it ill let u know..i had mine done at the dealer but the dealership owner was the dad of someone i knew

 

[es250nut]

A couple of things...

1: When you turn on the A/C does the light start to blink after a bit?

2: Open the hood with the car running have someone turn on the A/C. Check to see if the compressor clutch engages. Sometimes the compressor does not engage and thus no cool 4 u. If this is the case it could be your system has a low charge or the compressor clutch is bad, or the electrical lead to the clutch is bad.

 

[elvasoshexai]

when i turn on the a/c, the light doesn't blink. it's solid.

someone told me to try and recharge/refill the a/c stuff first. they said i could buy a refill kit at canadian tire for $20 or so. but when i tried going to Canadian Tire to get some a/c refridgerant refill kit they said they don't sell it. that it's illegal. if this is the case, then i can't refill/recharge it? or is it i just said the wrong thing?

 

[es250nut]

Your car probably has an R12 system. Maybe your quotes were including a R134 conversion. Still $700+ USD is kind of steep if that is primarily what they wanted to do.

Since your light is not blinking there probably isn't a system fault. Because the light will blink if the A/C control detects a fault.

 

[elvasoshexai]

so when i go to canadian tire should i ask for r134 a/c refill kit specifically? and not juss an a/c refill kit?

 

[chronoti]

no your going have to use r12 gas (illegal with out a license) or freeze 12 (same case but you can buy it off ebay ... go figure). what you would need to ask for is a r-134a conversion kit and your also going to need an evac pump to take all the air out of the system. or go get quotes for changing your car over to the "new gas"

 

[es250nut]

I don't know Canadian EPA laws, but maybe the reason they can't sell it to you is because it may be regulated to certified A/C techs. In the states, you can actually go into Wal~Mart for a R134 Retrofit kit for about $30.00. But it is still best to have your system purged by a certified A/C tech of all R12 before using the R134.

There has been controversy on mixing the different types of refridgerant. Some say it can ruin your system, others say it works just fine. Also If you switch over the common practice is to replace the a/c drier at the same time.

 

[elvasoshexai]

ic.. hm.. what if i'm not sure if my car uses the old or new stuff? because the person that recommended me to go to canadian tire to buy it said my car 'should' be using the new stuff.

 

[chronoti]

i dont belive toyota made the switch till 94. but when you open your hood and look at the stickers on the under side of the hood there should be a sticker on that says R-12 or R-134a. also you can tell by the charging hook-up's follow the a/c lines if there is something that looks like the air stems for your tires then you have R-12 or if you seem some other crazy hook up then it's R-134a.

also the problem with mixing the diffrent gasses is the oil. the oil after being compressed with the R-12 gas takes in some R-12 molucules. thus when you add R-134a it does not react faborbaly with the R-134a and deterates causeing you not to have proper lubracation and thusly causing something like your compressor die out.

 

[dna59]

what does it mean when you a/c light blinks? Mines tend to blink if i park my car in the sun for too long and come back and try to use it other than that it works perfectly.

 

[Ikon]

an a/c recharge doesnt cost more than like 50-60US at a local shop...if u arent sure i think it may be best just to go get it done and have no problems.

if u go and have it done if something goes wrong u blame the mechanic. if u try and do it urself and botch u may have a much larger bill on ur hands

mvac should only be left to those who are mechanically inclined or willing to risk possibly their car or their lives.